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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was painful to read. Maybe I’m not brilliant enough to understand the nuances of which makes it so good to everyone else? I guess I already should have known by reading the preface, as it goes on and on and on about how good it is, but had no real purpose. I really wish I could like it, and I really tried, but I’ve finished it with a sense that I had just wasted my time.
The story is definitely one of heartbreaks, and it just made me really uncomfortable to read about them, and I had to skim through most of the Dr.’s unnecessary tirades. Barnes’ view didn’t talk to me, and her prose didn’t read well. It sounded like a lot of the sentences chosen were made with the goal of being one-shot quotes… it felt unnecessarily pompous, and I really hated it when she didn’t use proper punctuation. Actually, I think that’s something that got better as the book went on, thankfully.
The story is definitely one of heartbreaks, and it just made me really uncomfortable to read about them, and I had to skim through most of the Dr.’s unnecessary tirades. Barnes’ view didn’t talk to me, and her prose didn’t read well. It sounded like a lot of the sentences chosen were made with the goal of being one-shot quotes… it felt unnecessarily pompous, and I really hated it when she didn’t use proper punctuation. Actually, I think that’s something that got better as the book went on, thankfully.
Unfortunately both the legacy and reputation of this novel overshadowed its actual literary quality to me. Whilst there is no doubt of either the writer's talent or the potential of the plot's premises the novel failed to connect me as a reader to the characters, to their actions and the setting they evolve in. Most of the dialogue seemed to lose itself very quickly, almost reaching a rambling-like state that failed to compel or to create something, neither on the personal or universal level. Some scenes do stand out, notably the ending, but these rare moments of brilliance are too few far between.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
cannot decide between giving this book 5 stars and 1 star. it often took me 45 minutes to get through 10 pages and i honestly couldn't summarize this book if asked to… but wow every line is just the most amazing genius confusing nonsensical lyrical string of words anyone has ever thought to put together. this book is smarter than i can ever hope to be which i find incredibly frustrating and incredibly inspiring
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
'I have been loved,' she said, 'by something strange, and it has forgotten me.'
Very rarely, when I'm drunk enough, my life becomes this book, and it is as though nothing before was real.
Very rarely, when I'm drunk enough, my life becomes this book, and it is as though nothing before was real.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
