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kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
There's a slightly odd feeling about sitting down to read a book that if somebody asked you why you were reading it - the best explanation you could come up with was ... well ... "it sort of sounded slightly mad - and besides the central character wants to become part of a book.... ". You've got to be intrigued by that premise.
THE END OF MR Y doesn't telegraph what sort of a book it is from the cover blurb - it sounds a bit like a mystery, it could be fantasy, there's even some elements that sound a bit like traditional science fiction. It's all of those things and a lot more because at the basis of everything else in this book there is the story of somebody's life that is fascinating, there are characters that you can care about. There's a story of disaffection and alternative ways of living your life that is intriguing. THE END OF MR Y is unpredictable, brash, exciting, slightly edgy and ever so slightly odd.
At the centre of the book is Ariel. Ariel's a great character and narrator - she's very much in control (sort of), she's very focused (sometimes) and she's somebody who knows where she's going (okay now I'm stretching...) Ariel's engaging, she's fascinating, she's also slightly crazy, but what she really has is acute self-awareness. She's an impoverished PhD student from a decidedly dodgy background, she's got a very active sex life - many might say it's a very dangerous and unorthodox sex life. Some people might find a building dropping into a hole in the ground a bit unexpected but Ariel can let that roll, just as she can discover a copy of a mythical long lost book and not question where it could have come from. She can find a way to handle her odd sex life with her married lover becoming increasingly risky. She can even develop an attraction to Adam, the ex-priest forced to share her University office because of the collapse of the other building. And finally she can enter the Troposphere and find it threatening and comforting all at the same time. But Ariel is used to the unexpected. In fact she really doesn't know what is supposed to be normal - life is just what happens. There's a great quote on the back of the book which explains her attitude perfectly:
"Real life is regularly running out of money, and then food. Real life is having no proper heating. Real life is physical. Give me books instead, give me the invisibility of the contents of books, the thoughts, the ideas, the images. Let me become part of a book".
It's impossible to read THE END OF MR Y and not consider the possibility of the Troposphere. And compare the possible absurdity of the idea of an alternative reality with a current day obsession like Second Life. Fantasy and science fiction blurring into reality in a very intriguing way?
Along the way Ariel must try to find out about the two strange men and their two childish offsiders pursuing her. She must find her PhD supervisor - Professor Burlem - because he alone also seems to understand the ramifications of the Troposphere. She must work out what she wants with the equally troubled Adam. She must also decide how or where she wants to live her life.
THE END OF MR Y doesn't telegraph what sort of a book it is from the cover blurb - it sounds a bit like a mystery, it could be fantasy, there's even some elements that sound a bit like traditional science fiction. It's all of those things and a lot more because at the basis of everything else in this book there is the story of somebody's life that is fascinating, there are characters that you can care about. There's a story of disaffection and alternative ways of living your life that is intriguing. THE END OF MR Y is unpredictable, brash, exciting, slightly edgy and ever so slightly odd.
At the centre of the book is Ariel. Ariel's a great character and narrator - she's very much in control (sort of), she's very focused (sometimes) and she's somebody who knows where she's going (okay now I'm stretching...) Ariel's engaging, she's fascinating, she's also slightly crazy, but what she really has is acute self-awareness. She's an impoverished PhD student from a decidedly dodgy background, she's got a very active sex life - many might say it's a very dangerous and unorthodox sex life. Some people might find a building dropping into a hole in the ground a bit unexpected but Ariel can let that roll, just as she can discover a copy of a mythical long lost book and not question where it could have come from. She can find a way to handle her odd sex life with her married lover becoming increasingly risky. She can even develop an attraction to Adam, the ex-priest forced to share her University office because of the collapse of the other building. And finally she can enter the Troposphere and find it threatening and comforting all at the same time. But Ariel is used to the unexpected. In fact she really doesn't know what is supposed to be normal - life is just what happens. There's a great quote on the back of the book which explains her attitude perfectly:
"Real life is regularly running out of money, and then food. Real life is having no proper heating. Real life is physical. Give me books instead, give me the invisibility of the contents of books, the thoughts, the ideas, the images. Let me become part of a book".
It's impossible to read THE END OF MR Y and not consider the possibility of the Troposphere. And compare the possible absurdity of the idea of an alternative reality with a current day obsession like Second Life. Fantasy and science fiction blurring into reality in a very intriguing way?
Along the way Ariel must try to find out about the two strange men and their two childish offsiders pursuing her. She must find her PhD supervisor - Professor Burlem - because he alone also seems to understand the ramifications of the Troposphere. She must work out what she wants with the equally troubled Adam. She must also decide how or where she wants to live her life.
artsygirlamy's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting ideas, thought provoking concepts, irritating pace, frustrating loose ends, annoying repetitive references, engaging love story, disappointing choices...seemed at times more like the author was showing off then actually moving the story along. At times it was so slow I thought it was never going to end
saroz162's review against another edition
2.0
This was a fascinating premise for a book that simply became less and less pleasant to read. The science-fantasy aspects remained interesting, and I managed to get used to the constant name-dropping of philosophers and theorists (in fact, the book made me want to become better acquainted with Jacques Derrida). What I couldn't get beyond was the extremely unlikable protagonist, Ariel, who also narrates the book in first person.
I suspect that Thomas' motivations in making her lead so damaged was to suggest that she has "nothing left to lose," which allows Thomas to justify some pretty extreme actions as the book goes on. But there's nothing to even invite you to identify with Ariel's point of view; instead, she's just cynical, bitter, and hard from the moment we meet her. Worse, you're left reading the story of a deeply self-destructive individual who routinely serves herself up for violent sex with self-absorbed men, apparently only to motivate the ever-increasing "tailspin" of the plot - and frankly, that's not what I meant to sign up for with a mind-bending fantasy novel. It just feels so unnecessary; it has almost no bearing at all on the SF/F aspects of the story, and there are other, more subtle ways to bring a sympathetic character to desperation. It's been a few weeks since I finished the book, and I'm still at a loss as to why Thomas chose this method. It left me feeling - well, icky - and as a result, a novel of otherwise interesting world-building will remain unrevisited (and in fact, I plan to get rid of my copy).
I suspect that Thomas' motivations in making her lead so damaged was to suggest that she has "nothing left to lose," which allows Thomas to justify some pretty extreme actions as the book goes on. But there's nothing to even invite you to identify with Ariel's point of view; instead, she's just cynical, bitter, and hard from the moment we meet her. Worse, you're left reading the story of a deeply self-destructive individual who routinely serves herself up for violent sex with self-absorbed men, apparently only to motivate the ever-increasing "tailspin" of the plot - and frankly, that's not what I meant to sign up for with a mind-bending fantasy novel. It just feels so unnecessary; it has almost no bearing at all on the SF/F aspects of the story, and there are other, more subtle ways to bring a sympathetic character to desperation. It's been a few weeks since I finished the book, and I'm still at a loss as to why Thomas chose this method. It left me feeling - well, icky - and as a result, a novel of otherwise interesting world-building will remain unrevisited (and in fact, I plan to get rid of my copy).
mehitabels's review against another edition
3.0
Not really sure what to say. Not really sure I am real, present, or fully conscious anymore.
Mind-bending book, with very awe inspiring science and philosophy. What I loved in the book lead to deep internal introspection, various late-into-the-night conversations with friends, and a few despairing moments of realizing missed opportunities in my own life and education.
What I found monotonous, repetitive, or just seemed like-drug induced automatic writing, well, I skimmed a bit.
Definitely interesting. Crazy cool science, math, philosophy. Some fun literary and doctoral scenes. But I ended feeling meh. Perhaps because of timing, perhaps because of my lack of comprehension, or perhaps just because I missed fast-action, instant gratification.
Mind-bending book, with very awe inspiring science and philosophy. What I loved in the book lead to deep internal introspection, various late-into-the-night conversations with friends, and a few despairing moments of realizing missed opportunities in my own life and education.
What I found monotonous, repetitive, or just seemed like-drug induced automatic writing, well, I skimmed a bit.
Definitely interesting. Crazy cool science, math, philosophy. Some fun literary and doctoral scenes. But I ended feeling meh. Perhaps because of timing, perhaps because of my lack of comprehension, or perhaps just because I missed fast-action, instant gratification.
ckjaer88's review against another edition
3.0
I have very mixed feelings about this story; on the one hand I find it very high-brow and theoretical, and on the other hand it's a basic love story of a lost girl finding a boy who is lost like her.
The world and idea of the story is like nothing I've ever read before and I get what she wants to say with it, but it just never captured my attention all that much. It never became one of those books I just couldn't wait to get home to and read.
In the end the word coming to mind when thinking about the story is: Meh.
It's not bad, but I'm not impressed.
The world and idea of the story is like nothing I've ever read before and I get what she wants to say with it, but it just never captured my attention all that much. It never became one of those books I just couldn't wait to get home to and read.
In the end the word coming to mind when thinking about the story is: Meh.
It's not bad, but I'm not impressed.
dozylocal's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant! Although I'm not so sure I liked the ending :P Really enjoyed this book and also found it quite mentally stimulating.
See the review below mine (in Visual Books) for a possible explanation of the ending... Made sense to me when I read it :-)
See the review below mine (in Visual Books) for a possible explanation of the ending... Made sense to me when I read it :-)
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
How to start? This was one of the most confusing books I have ever read, it was also one of the best books I have read this year. It was amazing in this crazy madness kind of way. It will be hard to review it because it was messy, great and so strange.
Ariel is a woman fascinated by a lot of things. She writes articles for a paper and then she meets Professor Burlem, and agrees to write her Phd under him. But then he disappears and she is left alone with her studies. One day she finds one of the most rare books in the world, a book that those few who has read it, has died. They say the book is curse. But she can't believe her luck and even though she has really no money and is living on noodles she buys it. And here the story starts, a strange story that will take her back in time, and transport her to a strange world of dreams. What is real and what is not? The more she learns about the character Mr Y, and follow in his footstep, the darker it gets.
This book is filled with physics, she is fascinated with it and she talks about it with the professor, she uses it in her PhD, she talks about it with her friend Wolfgang, with her colleagues, of whom one is an ex Catholic priest named Adam (love interest).
I loved the physics, to read about Schrödingers cat, multiuniverses, quarks, Big Bang. It's not hardcore physics because even she says she needs to know more, it's popular science and it's all truly interested. It makes me want to know more about all these things. I do have a lot of knowledge to thank all the sci-fi I have watched, but you don't need to know it all to keep up. She explains it all very good, and all this physics mixed with some philosophy in a way. It makes a very amazing read.
Among all this physics are some sordid sex scenes, oh yes I did not see those coming, they sure took me by surprise. But thinking about it it makes sense. They display her confused and dark state of mind. She is a relationship with a married man and it takes a darker turn so a few scenes are there in here. It shows the spiral down.
This book gives you a lot to think about, it has some fascinated stuff in it, and the ending. I think the author is an genius for creating this world and these thoughts about it. And it all makes sense too, why could it not be like that.
It's an hard to explain kind of book. It's hard to keep out the spoilers, it's a book that needs to be read to understand. And don't let all that physics scare you, I was unsure and I was sucked into this book because the author is a great storyteller. If she writes all her books like this I will keep an lookout for more. They are worth a try to see if the style is for you.
A recommended read, a book that shows that there can be more between heaven and earth that we could ever imagine. Everything is possible, everything has happened and at the same time not. Read it and find out what really happened.
Ariel is a woman fascinated by a lot of things. She writes articles for a paper and then she meets Professor Burlem, and agrees to write her Phd under him. But then he disappears and she is left alone with her studies. One day she finds one of the most rare books in the world, a book that those few who has read it, has died. They say the book is curse. But she can't believe her luck and even though she has really no money and is living on noodles she buys it. And here the story starts, a strange story that will take her back in time, and transport her to a strange world of dreams. What is real and what is not? The more she learns about the character Mr Y, and follow in his footstep, the darker it gets.
This book is filled with physics, she is fascinated with it and she talks about it with the professor, she uses it in her PhD, she talks about it with her friend Wolfgang, with her colleagues, of whom one is an ex Catholic priest named Adam (love interest).
I loved the physics, to read about Schrödingers cat, multiuniverses, quarks, Big Bang. It's not hardcore physics because even she says she needs to know more, it's popular science and it's all truly interested. It makes me want to know more about all these things. I do have a lot of knowledge to thank all the sci-fi I have watched, but you don't need to know it all to keep up. She explains it all very good, and all this physics mixed with some philosophy in a way. It makes a very amazing read.
Among all this physics are some sordid sex scenes, oh yes I did not see those coming, they sure took me by surprise. But thinking about it it makes sense. They display her confused and dark state of mind. She is a relationship with a married man and it takes a darker turn so a few scenes are there in here. It shows the spiral down.
This book gives you a lot to think about, it has some fascinated stuff in it, and the ending. I think the author is an genius for creating this world and these thoughts about it. And it all makes sense too, why could it not be like that.
It's an hard to explain kind of book. It's hard to keep out the spoilers, it's a book that needs to be read to understand. And don't let all that physics scare you, I was unsure and I was sucked into this book because the author is a great storyteller. If she writes all her books like this I will keep an lookout for more. They are worth a try to see if the style is for you.
A recommended read, a book that shows that there can be more between heaven and earth that we could ever imagine. Everything is possible, everything has happened and at the same time not. Read it and find out what really happened.
accidiosav's review against another edition
3.0
Non mi è piaciuto quanto PopCo, ma è carino!
Recensione completa: www.accidiosav.com/2011/che-fine-ha-fatto-mr-y/
Recensione completa: www.accidiosav.com/2011/che-fine-ha-fatto-mr-y/
jodiesbookishposts's review against another edition
4.0
Again another book that has been sat on my shelf, unread, for too long. I love reading books about books and at the time I bought it I was at university, so naturally this book about a P.H.D student and a special book, caught my attention.
When I first read this book I didn’t realise how ‘out there’ it was. There is a lot of jargon in this novel. At first I figured it would be a bit more book focused yet it was more focused on theology and science. I for one enjoyed that. I could follow it but it is not my strong suit so I don’t know how well these subjects were used. I’m not going to read more into it because I don’t want to spoil it for myself.
I found the Ariel to be a great female protagonist. There was something about her that was slobbish, unattractive and real. I’ve read a lot of female-lead novels and no other protagonist I’ve read was like her. It was refreshing.
This whole novel felt like something different. An enjoyable literary read if you fancy something a bit heavier, a bit more to think on.
When I first read this book I didn’t realise how ‘out there’ it was. There is a lot of jargon in this novel. At first I figured it would be a bit more book focused yet it was more focused on theology and science. I for one enjoyed that. I could follow it but it is not my strong suit so I don’t know how well these subjects were used. I’m not going to read more into it because I don’t want to spoil it for myself.
I found the Ariel to be a great female protagonist. There was something about her that was slobbish, unattractive and real. I’ve read a lot of female-lead novels and no other protagonist I’ve read was like her. It was refreshing.
This whole novel felt like something different. An enjoyable literary read if you fancy something a bit heavier, a bit more to think on.