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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I only read the last half of this book because I wanted it to be over. Not to say that it was bad, but I just didn't like it all that much. I didn't care too much about the characters, although Will's inner dialogues were pretty interesting. I appreciated that it forced me to call into question my willing suspension of disbelief, but I still remained fairly apathetic. In the end, I think that it wasn't a bad book, but I'm skeptical that I would have actually finished it if I read it during my normal life.
This one really held my attention for the first half, but it petered out after a while. The ending wasn't really satisfying. It definitely gave me a new appreciation for 80's rock, however, and I still chuckle everytime I am "clever" enough to leave a note that says "Here I am, Rock you like a hurricane!" on a coworker's desk.
Over time, I've come to the conclusion that I like Dave Eggers as a person. Which is a pretty bold statement, considering I've never met him. But, you know, McSweeney's is a solid publication and their press puts out some pretty amazing books (see "The Children's Hospital"). I like the mission statement behind 826 Valencia. I like the fact that he's lending his pen to the Lost Boys. I like the fact that he's apparently untroubled by the fact that his wife is a better writer than he (true!).
But this book? Just not that good.
(sorry)
But this book? Just not that good.
(sorry)
My frustration with Eggers is that I am so wowed by the way he frames emotions and delivers certain lines that I wish I could find that quality throughout his work. I realize that this is not the most realistic desire, but it was my reaction to this work in particular.
This seems like a book I was supposed to like - the back-cover blurb is unrestrained: 'wildly talented writer', 'entertaining and profoundly original tale', 'pitch-perfect dialogue'. Sadly, as I struggled to get to the halfway point of pointlessness, I could no longer ignore the sense of my own life's timeline dwindling rapidly. I have only one life to live. Sharing any more of it with Mr Eggers just isn't possible. Forgive me.