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willbefunorelse's review
1.0
Obviously it's going to be *weird*, what with the Russian witches and the people being Kafka'd into arthropods.
For the full review - including a peek behind the curtain that has hidden Alaina's French existentialist leanings all these years - follow the link to That's What She Read.
For the full review - including a peek behind the curtain that has hidden Alaina's French existentialist leanings all these years - follow the link to That's What She Read.
mattbowes's review
5.0
Toby Barlow’s wonderful Babayaga is the story of two dueling femme fatale witches named Zoya and Elga, and the hapless men that get drawn into their epic struggle for dominance. The story takes place in Paris in the 1950s, as Detroit expat Will van Wyck is starting to become aware that his advertising agency might actually be a front for The Agency, the CIA. His new acquaintance Oliver, a small-time publishing magnate who might also be a spook introduces him to the startling beautiful Zoya, who’s involved in a murder case being investigated by Detective Vidot, who’s then turned into a flea by the aged Elga for his troubles.
Check out the rest of my review at This Nerding Life! http://thisnerdinglife.com/2013/10/14/review-babayaga-by-toby-barlow/
Check out the rest of my review at This Nerding Life! http://thisnerdinglife.com/2013/10/14/review-babayaga-by-toby-barlow/
quietdomino's review
3.0
Would you like to read a book about magical witches in Paris and the plucky gentlemen who chase and/or have sex with them? If so, go ahead and read this and you will probably enjoy it. (And, thankfully, the writing/characterization/plot is above par. Which almost never happens when we're talking about magical witches.)
branch_c's review
5.0
Edit: Reread six years later, still as impressive as the first time. A bit grittier than I remembered, and more emphasis on sex. But the construction of the story is fantastic; as noted below, recommended for fans of Powers, Blaylock, Moore, and I'll add Michael Gruber (most similar to Tropic of Night and its sequels, with the exception that this one is historical rather than contemporary). I was interested to see that Barlow is primarily an advertising executive, among other things, and this no doubt informed his writing of Will and his agency; I also took note on this reading the fairly strong criticism of advertising due to its negative effects on the human condition. I'm quite sympathetic to this view, although in the book, it's all part of the fun, same as with the murderous supernatural activities.
Original review follows.
------------------------------
First, I have to admit that I read this as a result of the Goodreads giveaway program - having read about it there and failed to win it, I spotted it in the library and picked it up. So I guess the giveaway accomplished its purpose. Although they probably would prefer that I'd bought it.
Well, I still may buy a copy, because this book is one of my favorites this year, and definitely good enough for a re-read at some point. A wonderful historical fantasy, it had the realistic treatment of the supernatural that reminded me of Powers (if at times more graphic); the flashes of absurdity that reminded me of Blaylock (though a bit less silly) and especially the humor (and setting) of Moore's Sacré Bleu (though much more serious). The characters were perfectly drawn, the setting immersive, and the plot managed to be both clear and frequently surprising. This story was thoroughly enjoyable, with many brilliant turns of events and several moments of laugh out loud cleverness. The writing was confident and polished, and for a few stretches it seemed Barlow was reaching into the realm of the "literary" - and while that's not always a good thing for me, here it worked well, and was ultimately a true pleasure to read.
Original review follows.
------------------------------
First, I have to admit that I read this as a result of the Goodreads giveaway program - having read about it there and failed to win it, I spotted it in the library and picked it up. So I guess the giveaway accomplished its purpose. Although they probably would prefer that I'd bought it.
Well, I still may buy a copy, because this book is one of my favorites this year, and definitely good enough for a re-read at some point. A wonderful historical fantasy, it had the realistic treatment of the supernatural that reminded me of Powers (if at times more graphic); the flashes of absurdity that reminded me of Blaylock (though a bit less silly) and especially the humor (and setting) of Moore's Sacré Bleu (though much more serious). The characters were perfectly drawn, the setting immersive, and the plot managed to be both clear and frequently surprising. This story was thoroughly enjoyable, with many brilliant turns of events and several moments of laugh out loud cleverness. The writing was confident and polished, and for a few stretches it seemed Barlow was reaching into the realm of the "literary" - and while that's not always a good thing for me, here it worked well, and was ultimately a true pleasure to read.
anniejohannie's review
4.0
5 starts for Vidot, the vengeful Elga, Noelle and her chicken. 2.5 stars for the other plot lines.
jarichan's review against another edition
3.0
Das Cover und der Rückentext dieses Buches haben mich direkt angesprochen und mich nicht mehr losgelassen. Deshalb war es ja klar, dass ich es mit nach Hause nehmen musste.
Hinweis: wer Informationen zur Figur der Baba Jaga sucht, wird hier nicht fündig werden. Der Autor interpretiert die Saga sehr frei, kreiert ein faszinierendes Bild der Hexen, aber eben nicht 1:1 aus den Erzählungen übernommen. Wer hier Präzision und Tradition schätzt, sollte dieses Buch nicht zur Hand nehmen.
Grundsätzlich gefallen mir die Einfälle Barlows. Das Buch hat Witz (vor allem die Stellen mit dem Floh, die fand ich grossartig) und Charme. Leider zieht sich die Handlung zu lange hin. Hätte der Autor die Handlung gekürzt, hätte das zu mehr Schwung geführt. So aber verlieren die Geschichte und auch die Figuren über die Zeit an Kontur, was wirklich schade ist.
Mein grösster Kritikpunkt war jedoch die Liebesgeschichte. Eigentlich hätte ich sie durchaus akzeptieren, wenn auch nicht mögen können. Aber für mich fühlte sie sich gekünstelt und unecht an. Es fehlte mir an Chemie, an Verbindungen zwischen den Charakteren. Mir erschloss sich einfach nicht, weshalb sich Zoja nach all den vielen Jahren ausgerechnet Will aussucht. Hier hätte es für mich sehr viel mehr Grundlagen und Gefühl gebraucht.
Das Buch ist für mich keine Enttäuschung, sondern eine leichte und unterhaltsame Lektüre gewesen, die jedoch besser hätte ausgeführt werden können.
Hinweis: wer Informationen zur Figur der Baba Jaga sucht, wird hier nicht fündig werden. Der Autor interpretiert die Saga sehr frei, kreiert ein faszinierendes Bild der Hexen, aber eben nicht 1:1 aus den Erzählungen übernommen. Wer hier Präzision und Tradition schätzt, sollte dieses Buch nicht zur Hand nehmen.
Grundsätzlich gefallen mir die Einfälle Barlows. Das Buch hat Witz (vor allem die Stellen mit dem Floh, die fand ich grossartig) und Charme. Leider zieht sich die Handlung zu lange hin. Hätte der Autor die Handlung gekürzt, hätte das zu mehr Schwung geführt. So aber verlieren die Geschichte und auch die Figuren über die Zeit an Kontur, was wirklich schade ist.
Mein grösster Kritikpunkt war jedoch die Liebesgeschichte. Eigentlich hätte ich sie durchaus akzeptieren, wenn auch nicht mögen können. Aber für mich fühlte sie sich gekünstelt und unecht an. Es fehlte mir an Chemie, an Verbindungen zwischen den Charakteren. Mir erschloss sich einfach nicht, weshalb sich Zoja nach all den vielen Jahren ausgerechnet Will aussucht. Hier hätte es für mich sehr viel mehr Grundlagen und Gefühl gebraucht.
Das Buch ist für mich keine Enttäuschung, sondern eine leichte und unterhaltsame Lektüre gewesen, die jedoch besser hätte ausgeführt werden können.
tbsims's review
2.0
no doubt I should have enjoyed this book - magical realism, right up my alley.
And trying to think why I didn't - I'm going to blame the beginning when she kills her lover, pre-meditatedly and horrifically. She could have...broken up with him, moved. It made no sense to me that he had to die.
And from there, I didn't like her and didn't want to hear anymore about her.
I think the only character that was likable was the inspector. His situation was nuanced and interesting.
And trying to think why I didn't - I'm going to blame the beginning when she kills her lover, pre-meditatedly and horrifically. She could have...broken up with him, moved. It made no sense to me that he had to die.
And from there, I didn't like her and didn't want to hear anymore about her.
I think the only character that was likable was the inspector. His situation was nuanced and interesting.
snoakes7001's review
5.0
Brilliant.
Brilliant brilliant brilliant brilliant. I don't have the words to describe just how much I enjoyed this novel. Don't take my word for it - read it for yourself. It's got spies, murder, passion, drugs and a backdrop of Paris at the end of the fifties. Oh yes, and then there are the witches and the magic. And the flea. What's not to like?
Then when you've finished with that, go and read Sharp Teeth. Because that's brilliant too.
Brilliant brilliant brilliant brilliant. I don't have the words to describe just how much I enjoyed this novel. Don't take my word for it - read it for yourself. It's got spies, murder, passion, drugs and a backdrop of Paris at the end of the fifties. Oh yes, and then there are the witches and the magic. And the flea. What's not to like?
Then when you've finished with that, go and read Sharp Teeth. Because that's brilliant too.