Reviews

Sabotaj Çetesi by Edward Abbey

bogbody05's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

pattonkingfisher's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

While the intentions behind this book might be admirable, the topic of the stewardship of nature and its sustainability is important, I found that this book overshadowed itself and its point with very flawed characters who are hypocritical and intense while doing extreme things to fight back against corporations ruining “their” nature with destruction. The biggest distraction was the sexism and sex, the lust of the men over Bonnie was written very grossly and was way too frequent in the book for me to fully enjoy the humor. While each character, and especially the men, are very flawed and calloused and kind of an “every man” character, they were almost too unlikeable for me to side with them in their war. Their methods of conservatism border on ecoterrorism and are not good methods to protect nature. While it made me laugh quite a few times, I just found it overall distasteful and an unenjoyable read. 

posthoc's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.0

ronanmcd's review against another edition

5.0

I was put off by the introduction which described the author as a big government hating libertarian racist, misogynistic xenophobe. As a consequence I saw much of that in the first part of the book. Then I became hooked, and was glued to the characters railing at all "progress" showing it up for what it is: Christian characters lie and cheat to the top, corporations spread wide webs of acquisition, industry destroys nature and public land is parcelled out for financial benefit.
I haven't a clue what happened with that ending, other than perhaps to set the book up as a series.

anderbergmira's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

menfrommarrs's review against another edition

4.0

Enlightening and humorous. An unlikely group of characters, not really all that environmentally correct themselves, voicing their version of "getting back to nature".

Although written over 35 years ago. The environmental protests put forth here are still relevant. The technology may have altered but the message is clear.

We are doing a poor job of Stewardship of this planet.

rhiannoncs's review against another edition

3.0

I love Edward Abbey, and I love the spirit of this book, but it is unfortunately way too bloated. An entertaining beginning and an exciting ending sandwich a dull, interminable middle. The love triangle is uncompelling and the action is repetitive. The story would have been better served if about half of the book had been cut.

Also, while he tries to mitigate the sexism by making Bonnie an interesting character (which she often is) and laughing off the persistently chauvinist dialogue, it really doesn't play. There is an underlying sexism to the thing that is distasteful.

That said, there are some truly hilarious passages (especially in the beginning), and the current of rage that runs throughout the book is as relevant today as ever. A book I wanted to love wholeheartedly.

mscherer's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ksultzer10946's review against another edition

5.0

Makes me want to strike into the bush and attempt to blow up every engine I can.

emmastruebing's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

My second read by Eddie, and I think it’ll be my last. The anarchy and explosions got monotonous as did the racism and sexism. At least Desert Solitaire had pretty descriptions of nature.