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jmermelstein14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Torture and Sexual assault
angelagriffin's review against another edition
2.75
I love the idea of a linguistic-based magic, but NOT one that ends with a Chomsky-esque universal grammar 🤢 .
Not once did I feel an emotional attachment to a single character. I’m not convinced that Emily was ever in love, as she just manipulated people to do what she wanted and didn’t care about their feelings at all.
(Worth bringing up that my strong feelings against Emily could be due in part to the fact that I listened to the audiobook and the narrator for her sections did an atrocious accent for anything other than US English.)
Not once did I feel an emotional attachment to a single character. I’m not convinced that Emily was ever in love, as she just manipulated people to do what she wanted and didn’t care about their feelings at all.
(Worth bringing up that my strong feelings against Emily could be due in part to the fact that I listened to the audiobook and the narrator for her sections did an atrocious accent for anything other than US English.)
heftsi's review against another edition
5.0
Challenges the way I see the world...
...just like I like a book to do. In simplest terms this book is about the power of words. It also explores the power of personally identifying information both in the past and in this modern world. If you enjoy reading, languages, psychology, and/or sci-if this book is for you.
...just like I like a book to do. In simplest terms this book is about the power of words. It also explores the power of personally identifying information both in the past and in this modern world. If you enjoy reading, languages, psychology, and/or sci-if this book is for you.
ollieoxnfree's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, great concepts. Loved the reference to history as background. Here were a few holes and I'm conflicted on the endowing so four stars. I feel it would make a great TV series!
sebthebeanie's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ashwhee's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book! I can't say that it's a literary masterpiece about language, but who cares? It was a fast-paced adventure that I enjoyed watching Emily and Wil bumble through.
For me, it's not worth it if the perspective character is boring, and Emily is frustrating and endearing at the same time. I felt bad for all the poets who were dropping like flies, but on the other hand not so much? They kind of had it coming, being a part of a seriously evil organization.
For me, it's not worth it if the perspective character is boring, and Emily is frustrating and endearing at the same time. I felt bad for all the poets who were dropping like flies, but on the other hand not so much? They kind of had it coming, being a part of a seriously evil organization.
grahamclements's review against another edition
5.0
Max Barry’s Lexicon became a must buy after I heard the author read part of its frenetic and humorous opening at last year’s Melbourne Writers Festival.
The novel has a wonderful premise. It is set in a world where poets and the words they use can be deadly weapons. Poets use their words to compromise people and force them do their bidding. But it is not as easy as just saying a few words, a poet first has to establish the personality traits of their victim to know which words will control them.
The story begins with Wil Parke having a needle shoved in his eye by two thugs who have dragged him into an airport toilet. He has no idea what they want from him, but decides he better keep still. Meanwhile, Emily Ruff , a young hustler, is accosted by one of her potential marks. He compromises her and she winds up in the poet’s training academy.
Their stories unfold in alternating chapters, as the stakes increase. It is clear that at some point their stories will have to connect, but that connection does not come as a revelation, it is more of a slow reveal that occurs as the novel charges from one tension filled page to the next. It’s a page turner, with two engaging central characters whose plight embraces a reader’s empathy.
Lexicon was voted the fourth favourite science-fiction/fantasy book on Goodreads last year. It was also included in a list of the best books of 2013 that you have never heard of in, an article in the Melbourne Age. It recently won the Aurealis award for best Australian science-fiction novel.
Lexicon is a great science-fiction/fantasy novel. One of the best written by an Australian. Its original premise takes readers on one fantastic road trip to a totally satisfying conclusion. The novel had me wanting to visit Broken Hill before the poets arrive.
The novel has a wonderful premise. It is set in a world where poets and the words they use can be deadly weapons. Poets use their words to compromise people and force them do their bidding. But it is not as easy as just saying a few words, a poet first has to establish the personality traits of their victim to know which words will control them.
The story begins with Wil Parke having a needle shoved in his eye by two thugs who have dragged him into an airport toilet. He has no idea what they want from him, but decides he better keep still. Meanwhile, Emily Ruff , a young hustler, is accosted by one of her potential marks. He compromises her and she winds up in the poet’s training academy.
Their stories unfold in alternating chapters, as the stakes increase. It is clear that at some point their stories will have to connect, but that connection does not come as a revelation, it is more of a slow reveal that occurs as the novel charges from one tension filled page to the next. It’s a page turner, with two engaging central characters whose plight embraces a reader’s empathy.
Lexicon was voted the fourth favourite science-fiction/fantasy book on Goodreads last year. It was also included in a list of the best books of 2013 that you have never heard of in, an article in the Melbourne Age. It recently won the Aurealis award for best Australian science-fiction novel.
Lexicon is a great science-fiction/fantasy novel. One of the best written by an Australian. Its original premise takes readers on one fantastic road trip to a totally satisfying conclusion. The novel had me wanting to visit Broken Hill before the poets arrive.
argenterie4's review against another edition
5.0
Stunningly original and engaging. The best thing I've read this year.
elisenye's review against another edition
3.5
I really liked the idea and story overall, but I feel like I’ve read a lot of books that are similar lately. Feels a bit like Vicious meets Babel.
kamomo's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fast-paced, exciting and very thought-provoking. As someone who mostly reads non-fiction, I appreciate that this book is simultaneously a thrilling fantasy novel and a clever commentary on real life issues like data privacy and the personalization of internet content. I highly recommend it!