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angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
So this was a Booker nominated novel from a year back. That being said I have yet to read the winner from 2015 mainly because it doesn't sound very entertaining in the write up. This book was fairly short. When I reached the end I did have the feeling he could have possibly done more with the story; however, it was an excellent read. Sometimes shorter is better.
marina_michelle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
brandongryder's review against another edition
5.0
Corkscrew McCarthy meets Herman Melville. Not for the squeamish. I have never read a book that used words like "miasma" and "flense" with more effect. The lack of humanity and any basic morality makes Henry Drax one of the sickest and evil characters I've ever come across.
bayburay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mpc0812c's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ttodd86's review against another edition
5.0
I don't want to give away any of the plot points, but I will say that this book is more than might be implied by some reviews. Going in, I expected a book about two men essentially trying to kill each other while stranded in the arctic. I will only say that it is not that -- it is much more.
Extremely readable with a great plot/story and some solid writing. I enjoyed it very much and while I am not a fan of book series, I would eagerly read either a prequel or sequel to this work.
Extremely readable with a great plot/story and some solid writing. I enjoyed it very much and while I am not a fan of book series, I would eagerly read either a prequel or sequel to this work.
morgainlafeye's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it, although it becomes a little monotonous after a while with the same rough verbs. Also, I never felt any connection to the characters and never lememted they're fate. Honestly, the saddest part to me was the bear..
But it was good, well written and interesting. I enjoyed the growth of the main character.
But it was good, well written and interesting. I enjoyed the growth of the main character.
8797999's review against another edition
5.0
I very much enjoyed this book the first time I read it back in 2016 and now having re-read it almost 3 years later I enjoyed it even more. A very visceral read following an ill fated whaling voyage.
A dark cast of characters of whalers and our flawed hero, a memorable villain who is very easy to hate and from the start you can tell he's a wrong 'un.
The story is very good, though the end is a bit quick and sudden for my liking, but I suppose looking at it as a whole it works. I would recommend this to anyone, though it is not for the faint of heart with use of bad language and by bad language I don't mean f bombs. But it is how I imagine whaling was in those days, it certainly is no Pequad and Captain Ahab.
A dark cast of characters of whalers and our flawed hero, a memorable villain who is very easy to hate and from the start you can tell he's a wrong 'un.
The story is very good, though the end is a bit quick and sudden for my liking, but I suppose looking at it as a whole it works. I would recommend this to anyone, though it is not for the faint of heart with use of bad language and by bad language I don't mean f bombs. But it is how I imagine whaling was in those days, it certainly is no Pequad and Captain Ahab.