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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
First and foremost, I am a feminist, therefore, my opinion of this novel is going to very honest and harsh. This book was recommended to me by a middle aged man. I understand why he would like it. I cannot understand why anyone outside of the category of aged 40 to dead in the most stereotypical gender of masculine male would like this novel. Because, it only caters to that category.
I attempted to like this, I really did. I found the language intriguing and much of the dialogue, even in its ridiculousness, was still rather real. I got very confused with all the characters rather quickly, there were just too many of them and not enough distinguishing characteristics to really make them memorable. What I did enjoy was that this was set during World War II; the PTSD and toxic war personalities really shown through with many characters. There was a lot of trauma and heart ache, yet not a lot of resolution. I get why there was not real resolution, that's kind of the point, but I guess I just wanted to have a purpose for this book. I finished it and I did not feel like I even read a complete story, just a bunch of bits sort of pieced together. Not even chronologically some times.
What really got me though, especially toward the end, was just the treatment and attitude of several characters. Above anything was the humiliating, debilitating, and psychotic nature of women in this novel. It was a horror fest of every woman is a whore or a virgin. There was no dimension or depth to any female outside of her vagina. That was all any woman seemed good for in these pages and it was an atrocity. Without a doubt, this was a misogynistic voice of the time. But that was 50 years ago, so why do men today still revere this book? Mmm, maybe that's the problem. Well, either way, I don't think I will be taking book recommendations from any men in the near future. I need to go redeem the hideous characterization of women in this novel with some serious girl power reads.
I attempted to like this, I really did. I found the language intriguing and much of the dialogue, even in its ridiculousness, was still rather real. I got very confused with all the characters rather quickly, there were just too many of them and not enough distinguishing characteristics to really make them memorable. What I did enjoy was that this was set during World War II; the PTSD and toxic war personalities really shown through with many characters. There was a lot of trauma and heart ache, yet not a lot of resolution. I get why there was not real resolution, that's kind of the point, but I guess I just wanted to have a purpose for this book. I finished it and I did not feel like I even read a complete story, just a bunch of bits sort of pieced together. Not even chronologically some times.
What really got me though, especially toward the end, was just the treatment and attitude of several characters. Above anything was the humiliating, debilitating, and psychotic nature of women in this novel. It was a horror fest of every woman is a whore or a virgin. There was no dimension or depth to any female outside of her vagina. That was all any woman seemed good for in these pages and it was an atrocity. Without a doubt, this was a misogynistic voice of the time. But that was 50 years ago, so why do men today still revere this book? Mmm, maybe that's the problem. Well, either way, I don't think I will be taking book recommendations from any men in the near future. I need to go redeem the hideous characterization of women in this novel with some serious girl power reads.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
It was pretty fun and horrific. One moment you are chuckling and then something terrible is happening which reminds that war is not a joke. And then you are laughing again at something absurd (which itself is actually something horrible).
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
slow-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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A weird, chaotic, fever dream with the consistent thread of the stupidity and futility of war. Really hard to rate, tbh.