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charliezegers's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed all the story lines but was expecting a bigger finish.
themichellegray's review against another edition
1.0
Can you imagine a real-life author so petty that he had to write a work of satire out of revenge for not winning an award? That's exactly what this book is and it was painful to read.
Each character was an awful person, the plot was a total bore, every page was dripping with sarcasm, and it was overall wildly offensive. I understand it was written to be this way, but how can anyone find that enjoyable? Especially when the writing style itself was horrendous.
It's a shame that the cover of this book is so beautiful because the story within the pages does not reflect that in the least bit. With nothing positive to say about this book, I'll end my review here as to not ramble on like the author certainly did for 262 pages.
Each character was an awful person, the plot was a total bore, every page was dripping with sarcasm, and it was overall wildly offensive. I understand it was written to be this way, but how can anyone find that enjoyable? Especially when the writing style itself was horrendous.
It's a shame that the cover of this book is so beautiful because the story within the pages does not reflect that in the least bit. With nothing positive to say about this book, I'll end my review here as to not ramble on like the author certainly did for 262 pages.
mercenator's review against another edition
3.0
A decent enough book about the inner workings of the social circles around the fictional Elysian literary prize. A quick read, nothing particularly insightful or unique, but interesting enough.
stevienlcf's review against another edition
4.0
As the interest in literary fiction declines, it seems that the prizes for such literature proliferate. St. Aubyn skewers the Booker and other literary awards in his send-up of the fictional British Elysian Prize judged by a cadre of incompetent judges with non-literary agendas. A comedy for those who love literature.
menniemenace's review against another edition
4.0
I was in my bed remembering a scene from my attempt to read Patrick Melrose when I thought "Hey, I have a book by the same author on my phone!". That's how I got to this.
It tells a funny story with over a dozen characters and scenes from other novels some of them have merits to become actual complete ones. It's about a prize that chooses one of 200 books by the help of a panel of judges, each of them has their own agenda.
The process is odd and non-professional and many ways, and the fact that this novel, which discusses the process of choosing a winner, has won a prize is hilarious at its own merits. Talk about irony.
I loved every minute of this book; the character, the choosing process, the novels it... everything was so good.
Can't wait to actually read Patrick Melrose next.
It tells a funny story with over a dozen characters and scenes from other novels some of them have merits to become actual complete ones. It's about a prize that chooses one of 200 books by the help of a panel of judges, each of them has their own agenda.
The process is odd and non-professional and many ways, and the fact that this novel, which discusses the process of choosing a winner, has won a prize is hilarious at its own merits. Talk about irony.
I loved every minute of this book; the character, the choosing process, the novels it... everything was so good.
Can't wait to actually read Patrick Melrose next.
ruyanda's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
asifsyed's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first time reading Edward St. Aubyn and he is definitely not lost for words. Great characters, funny and quite quotable dialogue, probably many personal anecdotes and a satirical look at what is very much the Man Booker Prize. Recommended.
katrinky's review against another edition
3.0
Razor sharp commentary on the publishing industry, prize-selection committees in particular. Funny, inventive, and keenly observed. This will be included in my summer (ish) reading roundup on the Bookpeople blog later this month!
sensitive_boy's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0