Reviews

Cosmo Cosmolino by Helen Garner

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textpublishing's review against another edition

5.0

‘In person, as on the page, Garner does not dominate or take centre stage; she doesn’t boss or harass or hector. She is never still, never fixed, dealing in no absolutes except for the power of the eye to see, and the power of the pen to record. This restlessness, this energy, brings her hurtling off the page towards the reader.’
Tegan Bennett Daylight, Sydney Review of Books

doubledemin's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bookpossum's review against another edition

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3.0

A bit weird, but it kept me interested.

mog261's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

nobodyatall's review against another edition

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3.0

Extremely and unusually weird. Pretty enjoyable nonetheless.

jgwc54e5's review against another edition

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3.0

A re-read. Helen garner writes beautifully about misfits, loners, lonely people, down and outs, weirdos, eccentrics etc. this book contains two short stories and a short novel. There’s a bite to the stories but also a reluctant acceptance of the world and how these characters don’t fit in. I remembered it more fondly, perhaps the characters are of their time and seem outdated now.