Reviews

Birnamin metsä by Eleanor Catton

Only show reviews with written explanations

jxsu's review against another edition

5.0

I was unsure about this book when I started it, but it really picks up! by the halfway point, I was completely enthralled. the story and the setting feel cinematic; I could visualize scenes taking place and often felt like I was watching a movie unfold. the ending left me reeling - it was shocking yet inevitable, and totally perfect.

lqueijo's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Com muita curiosidade acerca dele, descobri que este livro é o exemplo da velha máxima “ganha fama e deita-te a dormir”. Com o “Ensaio”, Eleanor Catton tornou-se, por consenso, uma escritora a seguir. Com o tão badalado “Os Luminares”, ganhou o Booker e caiu “na boca do mundo”. Com este “A Floresta de Birnam”, facilitou e não conseguiu aguentar a parada.
É um livro morno, mais extenso do que seria necessário (nem vou comentar o facto de a temática me ser completamente avessa - ecologia de trazer por casa), repetitivo e por vezes ridículo. A escrita, que já conhecia, acusou a necessidade de publicar e oscila entre o por vezes fastidiosa, por vezes animada e por vezes (ainda bem que são poucas) excruciante. Ter de aguentar tantos “iá” e “tipo” nas traduções de “yeah” e “like” não é para mim, definitivamente.
Da história, normalíssima. Classificar a narrativa como um thriller, é de quem nunca leu nenhum.
Sem querer ser mais acutilante do que me apetecia, ficam as três estrelinhas. Se tiverem coisas melhores para ler, não percam tempo…

kb_reads132's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

shizzley's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

aidanlewis77's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

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

4.5

xeniba's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

I got this as a Skip the Line book from the library and didn’t realize it was the same author as The Luminaries (which I didn’t care for). I probably wouldn’t have read it if I’d known.

The pacing was inconsistent…At times it dragged and then the end was super rushed and ambiguous.

The characters weren’t likeable, though I think that was likely the intent. I could see where the social commentary was going, but I’m so tired of white people whining and blowing smoke up their own asses.

I just need to remember that this author is not for me.