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schgro's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
I love reading about painting. The painter half made me want to paint absolutely magical things. Real time and observation with the paintings, real care and attention. Playful language around it too. So much subtlety in the story and how it unfolds. Hard to stick with the other half.
benttravers's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Far more admirable in its design than rewarding as you’re reading, Ali Smith’s formally marvelous examination of time elevates history in a way that’s nearly palpable — I’m almost moved to delve deeper into the past instead of being so urgently compelled by the present; I can see the value, I can appreciate the insights… and yet, like this book, I’m not moved enough to act. Merely to acknowledge.
Not bad. Smart metaphors. The double helix 🧬 is a little on the nose. My copy starts with the artist, Francesca, then goes to George, which I think is the best order… but Francesca’s section is far too flowery.
Not bad. Smart metaphors. The double helix 🧬 is a little on the nose. My copy starts with the artist, Francesca, then goes to George, which I think is the best order… but Francesca’s section is far too flowery.
toc's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting book.
Half of it counts as one of the best book I've ever read. I was practically breathless reading it. I just had to read the next sentence, turn the next page. It was a big let down when I hit the end simply because I wanted more!
The other half counts as a very good book. But not in its own right. It counts as a very good book because I read the other half first and the stories interlock in odd ways. This part was not so breathless at first but it did eventually pull me in. Again, a let down when I hit the end because I wanted more!
Read it and judge for yourself. But you may not read it in the order I did. Different print runs reversed the order of the halves. I hope you start with the story I did because I think it makes the other all the more worthwhile. Of course, had I read it in the other order I may have said the same exact thing!
Half of it counts as one of the best book I've ever read. I was practically breathless reading it. I just had to read the next sentence, turn the next page. It was a big let down when I hit the end simply because I wanted more!
The other half counts as a very good book. But not in its own right. It counts as a very good book because I read the other half first and the stories interlock in odd ways. This part was not so breathless at first but it did eventually pull me in. Again, a let down when I hit the end because I wanted more!
Read it and judge for yourself. But you may not read it in the order I did. Different print runs reversed the order of the halves. I hope you start with the story I did because I think it makes the other all the more worthwhile. Of course, had I read it in the other order I may have said the same exact thing!
crimeandpunishment's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I found the contrast between the two halves incredibly jarring though I understand the purpose.
ad_art's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mattiewex's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
emt's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked the premise of the book; it was an intriguing idea that you can read either part of the book in either order. I like the development of the character George and that story was interesting. However, I really struggled to follow the story of the painter and it didn't develop in a particularly interesting way. Well written but left wanting more from it
gewills97's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing read! Loved the contrast between the two halves of this tale. The latter half really reminded me of Orlando, which gives it an easy five stars.
shaimamohamed's review
I just couldn’t get into it… I get the whole painting thing and the grief thing and the friendship/love thing but I just couldn’t get into the actual book