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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
A novel presented in diary-form covering the majority of the last century. I especially enjoyed the post war years. Weaves in references to lots of real literary and art world greats. Makes you realise how times change and how a long life can contain multitudes.
#anyhumanheart #williamboyd #novel #fiction #bookstagram #justread #libbyapp #recommendedreads
#anyhumanheart #williamboyd #novel #fiction #bookstagram #justread #libbyapp #recommendedreads
When I started, I wasn't sure if I liked this book or not but, in the end, I actually enjoyed it.
Boyd chooses to present us with the life story of fictional writer Logan Mountstuart through a series of journals kept through the span of his life and the 20th century. Written in first person, the robust prose takes us on a journey in which Logan grows and evolves as a person. We see his life through school an Oxford, two world wars, three marriages, numerous affairs, interactions with literary celebrities, and so much more.
I will admit to not always being a huge fan of our protagonist but Boyd has a way of making the reader sympathize with him. He's is definitely an ordinary man with flaws like the rest of us. I felt myself feel happy when he marries Freya, joy when Stella is born, despair when he's interned in Switzerland, depressed when he loses his family, and sad as his life comes to an end. And I don't even like him that much as a person. It is truly a testament to the author's writing talent to keep me entranced with a character I don't particularly like. Bravo!
Boyd chooses to present us with the life story of fictional writer Logan Mountstuart through a series of journals kept through the span of his life and the 20th century. Written in first person, the robust prose takes us on a journey in which Logan grows and evolves as a person. We see his life through school an Oxford, two world wars, three marriages, numerous affairs, interactions with literary celebrities, and so much more.
I will admit to not always being a huge fan of our protagonist but Boyd has a way of making the reader sympathize with him. He's is definitely an ordinary man with flaws like the rest of us. I felt myself feel happy when he marries Freya, joy when Stella is born, despair when he's interned in Switzerland, depressed when he loses his family, and sad as his life comes to an end. And I don't even like him that much as a person. It is truly a testament to the author's writing talent to keep me entranced with a character I don't particularly like. Bravo!
covers the span of Logan's entire life, I enjoyed the structure of the book. at times I felt the author inserted his consciousness into the plotline, but otherwise I thought it was very good.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A really remarkable book with so much of note in it, I could write pages and pages. Here, William Boyd very successfully simulates the diaries of one man in a way that feels realistic despite its narrative structure and the many interesting and improbable things that happen to it. It’s realistic primarily because Boyd has completely understood human nature and written the diaries in an utterly convincing way through being deliberately inconsistent. The result is something that causes you to feel very attached to its central character despite his many flaws. It’s written in such a way that the reader can see truths that the narrator can’t, but without the narrative telling you to.
There are some points which are steeped in detail and felt a little dry, but overall this is very clever and unique and works on many levels.
"You have to live the life you have been given."
What a great book: a fictional autobiography on how it means to live. We' were thrust into this world not knowing why we are here or what is our purpose. Painstakingly, we strive to live the best we could based on how we were brought up and how we were influenced by our environment. We study, we fall in love, we work, we raise families or remain single, we try to accumulate as many experiences as we can, we try to rack up as many good lucks as possible, and then we die. Reading this book merits an introspection into your life: are you living or just merely existing? After reading this book, either answer is fine.
What a great book: a fictional autobiography on how it means to live. We' were thrust into this world not knowing why we are here or what is our purpose. Painstakingly, we strive to live the best we could based on how we were brought up and how we were influenced by our environment. We study, we fall in love, we work, we raise families or remain single, we try to accumulate as many experiences as we can, we try to rack up as many good lucks as possible, and then we die. Reading this book merits an introspection into your life: are you living or just merely existing? After reading this book, either answer is fine.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not the story I need to be reading right now…
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes