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chapp010's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favorite Walker Percy book, by far, but an interesting apocalyptic narrative, based heavily on the maniacal, alcohol-laden, revelations of Dr. Tom More. Some of the archetypal character pieces, on which the book relies heavily, are a touch antiquated, overly-writ, and too reductionary to correspond completely with an America I know. Also, Percent's hopeful plot device, the laps-o-meter, the "stethoscope of the soul" More designs to cure worldly ills, fails to captivate.
awthomp's review against another edition
2.0
This is the first Walker Percy novel I've read, and while Love in the Ruins in many ways let me down, I'm still interested in The Moviegoer. In the age of Trumpian politics, I thought many of Percy's passages rang true. Being able to laugh at this election cycle and recognize that Percy wrote this in the 70s gave me much comfort. That said, as is true with most satrical novels, it needed to be about 1/4 shorter. I though the plotline was meandering and -- frankly -- boring. Love in the Ruins started strong but ultimately failed to keep my attention through the end.
raskol's review against another edition
1.0
Capsule Review: Don't Read Walker Percy. Ever.
Longer Review: If somebody recommends this book (or any other of his books) to you, rest assured that that he will one day soon try to convince you that the Eagles really are rock n' roll. Afterwards, he will probably inflict some of his "poetry" on you. You know the kind of stuff I mean: four-line stanzas in ABAB that will inevitably rhyme the words "pain" with "insane," "soul" with "hole," "heart" with "apart," and "feel" with "unreal." Luckily, though, you will see this coming, and as soon as your friend/lover/spouse/relative/coworker/mutual or new acquaintance/etc. recommends this author to you, you can immediately make the decision forever to exclude him (or her) from your literary life. That's right: whenever he mentions some book he read, change the subject. Talk about the weather; fake a seizure, if necessary. For example, say your boss, Mr. When-I'm-in-My-Car-I-Rock-Out-to-The Best of Sting, has previously recommended to you a novel written by one Walker Percy (thus alerting you that all of his taste is in his mouth). Your boss then approaches you one morning and says, "Hey, Suzy, how are you? You know, I was rereading Anne Rice this weekend, and I thought of you, because, you know, you can read, and I thought you might enjoy it." At this point, casually announce that the sun has given you cancer and you no longer have time to read before you die. Watch him shut up.
(And yes, I've posted the exact same review for all the Walker Percy books I've been unfortunate enough to read. Percy's works aren't worth more than one original review. Besides, if you've read one of his books, you've read them all.)
Longer Review: If somebody recommends this book (or any other of his books) to you, rest assured that that he will one day soon try to convince you that the Eagles really are rock n' roll. Afterwards, he will probably inflict some of his "poetry" on you. You know the kind of stuff I mean: four-line stanzas in ABAB that will inevitably rhyme the words "pain" with "insane," "soul" with "hole," "heart" with "apart," and "feel" with "unreal." Luckily, though, you will see this coming, and as soon as your friend/lover/spouse/relative/coworker/mutual or new acquaintance/etc. recommends this author to you, you can immediately make the decision forever to exclude him (or her) from your literary life. That's right: whenever he mentions some book he read, change the subject. Talk about the weather; fake a seizure, if necessary. For example, say your boss, Mr. When-I'm-in-My-Car-I-Rock-Out-to-The Best of Sting, has previously recommended to you a novel written by one Walker Percy (thus alerting you that all of his taste is in his mouth). Your boss then approaches you one morning and says, "Hey, Suzy, how are you? You know, I was rereading Anne Rice this weekend, and I thought of you, because, you know, you can read, and I thought you might enjoy it." At this point, casually announce that the sun has given you cancer and you no longer have time to read before you die. Watch him shut up.
(And yes, I've posted the exact same review for all the Walker Percy books I've been unfortunate enough to read. Percy's works aren't worth more than one original review. Besides, if you've read one of his books, you've read them all.)
michaelromeo's review against another edition
1.0
I just couldn't get into this. I'm sure when it came out it was cutting edge but it certainly isn't timeless.
saneyossarian's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
readerbot_lu's review against another edition
Did I like it? No
Do I recommend it? Yes, if you like dystopias and don't mind alcoholic main characters and dated gender expectations
Do I recommend it? Yes, if you like dystopias and don't mind alcoholic main characters and dated gender expectations
woodge's review against another edition
3.0
Written before The Thanatos Syndrome, but I read it on the strength of Thanatos which I'd read 2 years previously. I like the main character. Interesting chap.
eatbooks's review against another edition
1.0
This might be the worst book I've ever read.
Definitely the first I threw across the room for being too sexist.
Definitely the first I threw across the room for being too sexist.
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