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vb_94's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
katarinabee's review
5.0
4.5 ⭐
I went and bought Man Out of Time after it was long-listed for the Stella Prize. I'm glad that it was chosen by the panel, because I don't think I would have otherwise read it - it wasn't really a book that was previously on my radar.
In brief, this is a book about mental health and the relationships within a small family; particularly the father-daughter dynamic. And as the title might suggest, the book is also pre-occupied with time.
The book is tense and introspective. Bishop did a wonderful job of really getting inside these characters' minds. In particular, the sections which explored Leon's mental state while he was unwell were very effective - you felt the heaviness of the catatonia and disembodiment, and the frenzy and fear during his more manic episodes.
The book has some interesting stylistic choices. The story shifts back and forth across time, and sometimes abruptly shifts between tense or person, disorienting the reader. During sections where Leon (the father) is unwell, the book often switches into second person, giving you a sense of his alienation from himself, but also having the effect of drawing the reader more immediately into his experience. Some sections also include photographs and drawings - and first I found this a bit unusual, but it did help with getting more inside Leon's head.
Overall, this was an unsettling (sometimes disturbing) but beautifully written novel.
I went and bought Man Out of Time after it was long-listed for the Stella Prize. I'm glad that it was chosen by the panel, because I don't think I would have otherwise read it - it wasn't really a book that was previously on my radar.
In brief, this is a book about mental health and the relationships within a small family; particularly the father-daughter dynamic. And as the title might suggest, the book is also pre-occupied with time.
The book is tense and introspective. Bishop did a wonderful job of really getting inside these characters' minds. In particular, the sections which explored Leon's mental state while he was unwell were very effective - you felt the heaviness of the catatonia and disembodiment, and the frenzy and fear during his more manic episodes.
The book has some interesting stylistic choices. The story shifts back and forth across time, and sometimes abruptly shifts between tense or person, disorienting the reader. During sections where Leon (the father) is unwell, the book often switches into second person, giving you a sense of his alienation from himself, but also having the effect of drawing the reader more immediately into his experience. Some sections also include photographs and drawings - and first I found this a bit unusual, but it did help with getting more inside Leon's head.
Overall, this was an unsettling (sometimes disturbing) but beautifully written novel.
rhodaj's review
2.0
This book follows Leon, his wife Frances and their daughter Stella as they deal with Leon’s mental illness from the time of Stella’s ninth birthday to adulthood (presumably.....timelines are vague).
The synopsis for this book sounds intriguing, however in reality the book fell flat for me. The writing style is very vague and dreamy, which held me at a distance from the characters and did not allow me to really make any connection with them.
The use of random photos thrown in was unique, but didn’t add anything of value to the story and if anything, detracted from it for me.
The parts where Leon descends into madness are long, rambly and frankly, boring. Whilst there were many snippets of beautiful emotive writing, on the whole I found this book disappointing. While the writing style was unique, it just didn’t work for me and I was not at all moved by it, although I feel that I should have been. ⭐️⭐️
The synopsis for this book sounds intriguing, however in reality the book fell flat for me. The writing style is very vague and dreamy, which held me at a distance from the characters and did not allow me to really make any connection with them.
The use of random photos thrown in was unique, but didn’t add anything of value to the story and if anything, detracted from it for me.
The parts where Leon descends into madness are long, rambly and frankly, boring. Whilst there were many snippets of beautiful emotive writing, on the whole I found this book disappointing. While the writing style was unique, it just didn’t work for me and I was not at all moved by it, although I feel that I should have been. ⭐️⭐️
wtb_michael's review
5.0
A brilliant, slippery novel about family, madness, depression and shame. Hard to describe, but impossible not to be moved by.
shereadsshenoms's review
4.0
Shifting perspectives, fluid timelines, fevered dreams, and all in stunning prose. Leon's descent into madness, his falling in and out of lucidity and the effects on his daughter and wife left me feeling both deeply uncomfortable and moved in equal parts. This novel is some work to read and keep up with, deliberately leaving the reader in the dark in areas, but absolutely well worth the effort.
taphophile's review
3.0
Bleak. A novel that makes you work hard, which I don't mind, but is the child's name enough?
megelzbth's review
2.0
Neaaaarly DNF, but pulled through the last 50 pages.
Sometimes there were pockets of brilliance, but so much of it was vague and dreadfully dull. It's a polite no from me.
Sometimes there were pockets of brilliance, but so much of it was vague and dreadfully dull. It's a polite no from me.
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