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2.97 AVERAGE
2.97 AVERAGE
I really like this one. He is so great at writing books for children, young adults, and adults alike. I felt like I was really there at Bottle Grove. Looking forward to more of his books in the future. Thanks for the review copy from NetGalley.
slow-paced
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a little slow to start. However once I really got into it it was a fun book that took a lot of interesting turns. And usually pretty good about being able to predict the ending but even I was a bit surprised at the ending of this book.
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
"The Basic Eight" is one of my all time favorite novels, so dark and funny and amazingly well written, and so I was excited to get another acclaimed Handler novel, but like with his other post-"Basic Eight" adult work, I just didn't like it. I found the structure, the characters (and "characters" seems too strong a word, as they didn't seem like actual, well-fleshed out characters), the plot, the motif, EVERYTHING, slightly irritating.
I was drawn to the subject area of this book -- a commentary on society and economic inequality in the San Francisco Bay Area (the same backdrop for my own upcoming novel). The writing style is unique and engaging -- a deliberately disorienting, almost dreamy (or drunk, given the characters?) stream-of-consciousness. And I thought it did a great job capturing and critiquing the wealth stratification of the Bay Area. It almost has a timelessness (again perhaps deliberate) to the story of class and extreme wealth, like it could have just as easily been based in Victorian England. A very original story, while still providing insightful commentary on our time.
I've never been able to *really* get into any of Daniel Handler's works for adults, but I nevertheless appreciate his unique way with words and the sharp edges of his characters.
