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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
Loved this book for the most part, but was left wanting more towards the end. Good family drama, characters were interestingly quirky but I would have liked to get to know them all a bit better. Great exploration of memory, which was probably my favorite part.
"The Ontology of Worth". One phrase. That's what it finally took for me to just (figuratively) throw my hands up over this. I thought I could finish this since it's only 235 pages, but I hit the wall at page 88. If you can imagine a writer choosing to craft an entire novel around what seems to be her most tedious and unsympathetic character, you'll have an idea of what this is like. Then, add a completely self-absorbed asshole brother who she idolizes. Snooze... This is reminiscent of other, much better novels, including Ten Thousand Saints, City on Fire and A Visit From the Goon Squad. Read those instead.
The critics loved this book. Me, not so much. I gave this an extra star because I did think it was well written and a unique narrative. Unfortunately, I just didn't connect to the story or characters.
Incredible collage of rock music, memory and mortality.
medium-paced
4.5⭐️
Featured in my Blind Date with a Book Reading Vlog:
https://youtu.be/0qnmWKYZois
Featured in my Blind Date with a Book Reading Vlog:
https://youtu.be/0qnmWKYZois
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rather disappointing for such a great premise. But it raises some great questions - who is the artist that perseveres even without an audience? Even when no audience is possible. The last chapter really redeems this book and helps to answer that question.
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 - interesting and thought provoking. Didn't quite grasp the ending but thoroughly enjoyable