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3.05 AVERAGE
3.05 AVERAGE
Wish I could say I liked this book, but for the most part staying motivated to finish it was a struggle. Most of the book went over my head, which I hoped the end of the book would resolve with concrete answers. Unfortunately it didn't. Two months of my life I wish I spent reading 1 or 4 other books instead.
I checked this out of the library, and eight days later, had only read like 20 pages. Not for me.
Disappointing caper that's been compared to Cloud Atlas and Ocean's Eleven, but thirty chapters in and the book's just so boring. It doesn't have the changing literary voice of Cloud Atlas (though it does have nested stories) and the really promising premise of "card counting meets Kaballah" doesn't pan out, at least a third of the way through.
Intriguing. Very intriguing.
I think this is a book that would benefit from multiple reads, because the story lines are each so complex, even on their own, and the ways in which they are interwoven with each other so intricate, that I am sure I didn't even come close to picking up all that was going on. It admittedly took me a while to get into the book, in no small part because the story line that is primarily highlighted in the novel's description, the one taking place in 16th-century Venice, which is what had caught my attention and made me want to pick this up in the first place, doesn't show up until page 163.
Once I was able to read far enough to see all of the various story lines and try to piece together their points of intersection, the novel picked up considerably, and I ended up feeling like I had read something pretty magical. I'm still not really sure exactly what happened, but I can see myself coming back to this one again to try to figure it out.
I think this is a book that would benefit from multiple reads, because the story lines are each so complex, even on their own, and the ways in which they are interwoven with each other so intricate, that I am sure I didn't even come close to picking up all that was going on. It admittedly took me a while to get into the book, in no small part because the story line that is primarily highlighted in the novel's description, the one taking place in 16th-century Venice, which is what had caught my attention and made me want to pick this up in the first place, doesn't show up until page 163.
Once I was able to read far enough to see all of the various story lines and try to piece together their points of intersection, the novel picked up considerably, and I ended up feeling like I had read something pretty magical. I'm still not really sure exactly what happened, but I can see myself coming back to this one again to try to figure it out.
What a HUGE 600 PAGE DISAPPOINTMENT.
As another reviewer said, "All 3 story strands headed in the right direction, holding my interest for the big payoff." Alas, no payoff.
It starts with a semi-intriguing story of Curtis: on a mission in Las Vegas. He’s really into reminiscing, self-reflecting about his girlfriend, and thinking about the Iraq War. I sort of didn’t care that much about him, but it’s very well-written and there’s a mystery as to what’s going on, which seems to possibly involve magic. His mission is to find Stanley.
Then, the story shifts to Stanley. This is perhaps the most convincing section; the reader really gets to know Stanley. I found this story as a standalone very compelling. Then, just when we might learn something about how the Curtis story connects to the Stanley story, we are again diverted to another story. Stanley and Curtis have been reading a book called “the Mirror Thief” which refers, supposedly, to an actual historical person named Crivano. Off we go to Venice, Italy 1592.
At this point, I’m like, Hell, No. Not another one! But, I’m so invested at this point—the first two stories take up almost a third of the novel. And, I love Venice and recognized some of the references. It’s vividly written—masterful, really, given the range so far: Curtis’ story is set in the now; Stanley’s story is of growing up on the streets in the 1950’s; and now, murder and secret plots during the Renaissance. So okay, on we go.
But Crivano’s story just goes on, and on, and on. Such detail and lack of real plot progression made me lose interest and began skimming. Unless I missed it, nothing really happens back in Venice. Finally back to Curtis! But Curtis keeps interrupting himself with irrelevant reminisces, and repetitive descriptions of Las Vegas. His Iraq war background is in no way relevant to the 3 stories.
Since there are a few reviewers who seem to have missed the "reveal" I'm going to include it here.
As another reviewer said, "All 3 story strands headed in the right direction, holding my interest for the big payoff." Alas, no payoff.
It starts with a semi-intriguing story of Curtis: on a mission in Las Vegas. He’s really into reminiscing, self-reflecting about his girlfriend, and thinking about the Iraq War. I sort of didn’t care that much about him, but it’s very well-written and there’s a mystery as to what’s going on, which seems to possibly involve magic. His mission is to find Stanley.
Then, the story shifts to Stanley. This is perhaps the most convincing section; the reader really gets to know Stanley. I found this story as a standalone very compelling. Then, just when we might learn something about how the Curtis story connects to the Stanley story, we are again diverted to another story. Stanley and Curtis have been reading a book called “the Mirror Thief” which refers, supposedly, to an actual historical person named Crivano. Off we go to Venice, Italy 1592.
At this point, I’m like, Hell, No. Not another one! But, I’m so invested at this point—the first two stories take up almost a third of the novel. And, I love Venice and recognized some of the references. It’s vividly written—masterful, really, given the range so far: Curtis’ story is set in the now; Stanley’s story is of growing up on the streets in the 1950’s; and now, murder and secret plots during the Renaissance. So okay, on we go.
But Crivano’s story just goes on, and on, and on. Such detail and lack of real plot progression made me lose interest and began skimming. Unless I missed it, nothing really happens back in Venice. Finally back to Curtis! But Curtis keeps interrupting himself with irrelevant reminisces, and repetitive descriptions of Las Vegas. His Iraq war background is in no way relevant to the 3 stories.
Since there are a few reviewers who seem to have missed the "reveal" I'm going to include it here.
Spoiler
It's near the very end. I think it's Curtis, but maybe it was Stanley; I didn't care by then and don't remember. Basically there's some statement about meditation, that enables the character to travel into and through the mirror. That's it. That's how Crivano pulled his shenanigans, and that's how Stanley pulled his, and that's the only connection between their stories. That's all there is. It is totally dumb. You're welcome.
A fantastic read: immersive and absorbing, adventurous and intriguing. Seay paints vivid portraits of people and place in three different worlds and periods.
The novel follows the interconnected lives of three men and their ghosts and tramps through the present, the fifties and the sixteenth century with ease. It’s no great effort to switch time and place when Seay does it so well, and the end result is a remarkable read that comes off effortless for all its complexity.
The novel follows the interconnected lives of three men and their ghosts and tramps through the present, the fifties and the sixteenth century with ease. It’s no great effort to switch time and place when Seay does it so well, and the end result is a remarkable read that comes off effortless for all its complexity.
The description doesn't at all capture the ugliness of its characters and story. Perhaps if it had started in Venice, Italy, it might have been more interesting. Las Vegas leads the way and sets the tone with unlikable characters and an unappealing mystery.
My immediate reaction is to give this 3 stars, but I think some themes and ideas from this will last for a long while.
I really liked a lot of this book. It's three different stories, set in totally different time periods, that are connected by a book. I super liked all the chapters set in present day Vegas. I medium liked the chapters set in retro Los Angeles. I did not enjoy the chapters set in 16th century Venice.
Basically I thought I was going to love this book, because I was so intrigued in the first third, but then I found myself bored with all of the Venice stuff. Bummer.
Basically I thought I was going to love this book, because I was so intrigued in the first third, but then I found myself bored with all of the Venice stuff. Bummer.