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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Did not like or care about any of the characters. Boring storyline. Not keen on journal/diary format.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5/5
That was a good life. A good, male life, lived through almost the entirety of the twentieth century. Or at least, it made for good reading material, but I'd like to think that in the end, Logan was happy in the least regretful sense that an old man can be.
I have to say, becoming a writer was probably the best thing he could have done in this time period. He met so many renowned folks, and took part in so many historical events as he traveled the world over. That may be my bias towards writing over other occupational paths talking, but you have to admit, people like Hemingway and Joyce popping up made the writing especially interesting. And it was in such a natural, unassuming sense. It's only much later that Logan realizes the worth of these chance meetings, and he never really stops being surprised at that being the case.
Besides that, I really don't think that the summary of this book does Logan justice. Yes, he accumulated failed marriages as a result of his womanizing, but had the tragedy of WWII not occurred, I believe that this particular trait would have been greatly reduced in his character. Also he didn't end his life in absolute poverty. Unless my definition of poverty is different from the standard.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading about this life that interacted so often with the world at large, both in the historical as well as the locational sense. It was also interesting to watch Logan's writing change over time as his life shifted around his values. His last years were especially beautiful, and it's regretful that he had to become a very old man in order to finally appreciate the simple life enough to write about it. But that's what always happens, I suppose.
That was a good life. A good, male life, lived through almost the entirety of the twentieth century. Or at least, it made for good reading material, but I'd like to think that in the end, Logan was happy in the least regretful sense that an old man can be.
I have to say, becoming a writer was probably the best thing he could have done in this time period. He met so many renowned folks, and took part in so many historical events as he traveled the world over. That may be my bias towards writing over other occupational paths talking, but you have to admit, people like Hemingway and Joyce popping up made the writing especially interesting. And it was in such a natural, unassuming sense. It's only much later that Logan realizes the worth of these chance meetings, and he never really stops being surprised at that being the case.
Besides that, I really don't think that the summary of this book does Logan justice. Yes, he accumulated failed marriages as a result of his womanizing, but had the tragedy of WWII not occurred, I believe that this particular trait would have been greatly reduced in his character. Also he didn't end his life in absolute poverty. Unless my definition of poverty is different from the standard.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading about this life that interacted so often with the world at large, both in the historical as well as the locational sense. It was also interesting to watch Logan's writing change over time as his life shifted around his values. His last years were especially beautiful, and it's regretful that he had to become a very old man in order to finally appreciate the simple life enough to write about it. But that's what always happens, I suppose.
Without a doubt, this book is the essence of what it means to be alive. Cliffs Notes on being human. It's the kind of book that ruins you for other books; beautiful, resonant, and intoxicating.
I don't believe that I will ever love another book the way that I love this one, and I'll be spending quite a bit more time with it.
I don't believe that I will ever love another book the way that I love this one, and I'll be spending quite a bit more time with it.
A tremendously enjoyable novel, written in journal form by a character who lives through most of the 20th century. At times his exploits strain credulity, but who cares? You will come to love him as he grows from cocky youngster to older man chastened by experience, disappointment, and loss.
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s an impressive feat of fiction: mapping out a person’s life and linking into so many events of the 20th century and meeting so many famous people along the way.
But I didn’t gel well with this book and I wonder if it was the diary format which put me off. There were sections, particularly the beginning and ww2, which were enjoyable and the whole book was an easy read. However, the story didn’t compel me, it all felt disjointed-I get it, life is, but this is a fiction book. I didn’t find the character that interesting, I found him quite flat which meant the more emotional parts of this book didn’t feel that emotional to me. There was also what felt like a lot of filler just plodding along with no real importance to either the plot or character development.
Like I said, I enjoyed some parts and it’s an impressive book, so I would recommend if you were looking for a specific kind of book and didn’t mind the diary format.
Loved this book. A great reminder of the power and scope of the first person journal as a narrative perspective. Eloquent, candid, compelling.
Within the space of 500 pages we trace the development of a writer/aesthete/lover/human through a remarkable number of iterations in identity, priorities, interests, etc., each represented with absolute conviction and honesty. Yet amidst all this change is a single thread of the inalienable self that is our hero.
I particularly enjoyed the precociousness of the teenage Logan, whose writing style was believably grandiloquent and pompous... Not that I could see myself in that at all.
In fact I think believable rather sums up the book. For most of the book I really wasn't sure whether this was the journal of a real living human, or Boyd's fiction.
Powerful reflections on writing, beauty, love, family, happiness, ageing, youth, addiction, and genuineness.
It has spurred me into wishing to keep my own journal.
Within the space of 500 pages we trace the development of a writer/aesthete/lover/human through a remarkable number of iterations in identity, priorities, interests, etc., each represented with absolute conviction and honesty. Yet amidst all this change is a single thread of the inalienable self that is our hero.
I particularly enjoyed the precociousness of the teenage Logan, whose writing style was believably grandiloquent and pompous... Not that I could see myself in that at all.
In fact I think believable rather sums up the book. For most of the book I really wasn't sure whether this was the journal of a real living human, or Boyd's fiction.
Powerful reflections on writing, beauty, love, family, happiness, ageing, youth, addiction, and genuineness.
It has spurred me into wishing to keep my own journal.