Reviews

Skios by Michael Frayn

katykelly's review against another edition

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3.0

Started off better than it finished, for me, but enjoyable. Didn't like Oliver Fox at all, all very silly really. Not one I'd have thought would be a Booker longlister.

ergative's review

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3.75

 An entertaining farce to read on a plane. Very good situational chaos, but the ending decided to play games, and I felt slightly disrespected. 

beastreader's review against another edition

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3.0

Dr. Norman Wilfred is a guest speaker at the Fred Toppler Foundation. He will be talking about his theories in science. Oliver Fox is traveling to the island of Skios for a hook up. While at the airport, Oliver has a freak out moment. He wonders what it would be like to be someone else. When Oliver gets the opportunity, he runs with it but will he make the most of it.

While, I was expecting to laugh a lot more then I actually did, there were still some funny moments. My favorites scenes involved Norman and what was happening on his side of the island. It was like watching an Greek tragedy (sopa opera). After one antic would end the next would begin. First with Norman getting a suprise bed mate, to him meeting a goat, to the cleaning lady tossing all the clothing into the pool. It was surpising comsidering Norman's age that he did not have a heart attack from all the stress and excitement. Our course, deep down, I think he enjoyed the drama and different people that he met.

On the other hand, Oliver came off as pathetic to me. He was like the clown trying to get everyone to like him, think he was funny, and impress them all. I was not really buy into Oliver. I wanted him to either commit to what he started or just be him. Which he did try to do. Overall, I did have a fun time reading this book. Skios is a comedic, quick, entertaining, summer read!

mikewa14's review against another edition

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2.0

Not great

Full review here

http://0651frombrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/skios-michael-frayn.html

essjay1's review against another edition

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4.0

Funny. Alternative title: chaos. Good travel read. Terrific writer.

merethebookgal's review against another edition

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3.0

Well, that was... weird. lol It’s supposed to be a farce, and it definitely is; so much so that sometimes my head hurt from the sheer ridiculousness of it all. It would be a pretty funny movie, though. The audiobook narrator was good, but this was the first time I turned a book up to 1.5x speed because he talked sooo slowly. Maybe 2.5 Stars? Not sure.

alicat90's review against another edition

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I wouldn't say this was my favorite book. There was lots of going back and forth. If I wasn't reading it for book club I probably would have not have finished. It was a quick read though.

mimika9's review against another edition

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4.0

I laughed out loud but it went on a bit too long. The author's range and style are superb and he is one of my favorite writers but farce is not my favorite.

kelbi's review against another edition

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3.0



I don't think farces are my thing really

ameliapw's review

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funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0