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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
In an otherwise great novel, the framing structure (the speculative narration spawned at a 45-year high school graduation) seemed superfluous. I wish this had just been the Swede's story (and thus 50 pages or so less).
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
While I was invested in the story and even the book’s overarching themes, it was difficult to navigate the thinking of the narrator. He and the reader struggle with what it means to be an American, a parent, a spouse, a patriot...but ultimately, I felt cheated out of a satisfactory ending.
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved the way Roth pulls aware the veneer of decorum to show how such "normal" families can create truly horrifying situations for it's members.
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5
Unfortunately, this book wasn't exactly for me. I can totally see how talented Mr. Roth was at crafting a story filled with meaning, at inserting so many themes into it seamlessly, at combining them all with such skill that the end result is something that can stay with you and can be endlessly analyzed.
I can see all that, but it didn't quite touch me.
I liked the character of the Swede. He was an interesting case study of all Mr. Roth wanted to criticize the US for, as well as Merry, the person who shook Swede to his core, without really changing anything in the end. He remained the same, and that was the beauty of it.
I'm definitely being harsh with my rating, but it's a personal one. Hopefully, "The Great American Novel" that I have in my possession will be more to my tastes.
Unfortunately, this book wasn't exactly for me. I can totally see how talented Mr. Roth was at crafting a story filled with meaning, at inserting so many themes into it seamlessly, at combining them all with such skill that the end result is something that can stay with you and can be endlessly analyzed.
I can see all that, but it didn't quite touch me.
I liked the character of the Swede. He was an interesting case study of all Mr. Roth wanted to criticize the US for, as well as Merry, the person who shook Swede to his core, without really changing anything in the end. He remained the same, and that was the beauty of it.
I'm definitely being harsh with my rating, but it's a personal one. Hopefully, "The Great American Novel" that I have in my possession will be more to my tastes.
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved it. I’m obsessed w narration and different functions of it and this was great for thst. Ideas of if the story was real or not. And the ending! Wow. The devolution. Just loved