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bwluvs2read's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
jenamatic's review against another edition
1.0
Actually DNF’d but I don’t like having unfinished books on my shelves. I could not get past the first couple of chapters. There are several main characters but you don’t sit with any one character long enough to feel connected or like them. The only feelings I had were about Jackson and Lisa and I didn’t like them, but I got the feeling you were supposed to at least like Jackson. It was also confusing on who was speaking a lot of the time. There was a conversation between Jackson and Derek where they were discussing opposing views on a topic and every time I thought I had it figured out who stood on what side, it became muddled again and I realized I didn’t have a clue what was happening.
rtrroy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ztaylor4's review against another edition
4.0
This was a solid story with a strong execution, and excellent as a debut novel. I enjoyed the exploration of what the lesson would be, although I wouldn't have minded a few more characters reflecting upon their own lessons. I also appreciate Cadwell Turnbull's restraint in not giving us every detail of the alien society--an all-too-common flaw in sci-fi and fantasy.
While this was a good story, it wasn't perfect. The writing and style were effective, but a few of the characters felt a little bit flat to me (e.g. Patrice), and as a result I didn't think all of the storylines were carrying their own weight. This problem was relatively minor, and a few of the characters really did get a chance to shine (especially Mera).
All in all, The Lesson was a refreshing story, and I'd recommend it. I'll also look to see what Cadwell Turnbull does next.
While this was a good story, it wasn't perfect. The writing and style were effective, but a few of the characters felt a little bit flat to me (e.g. Patrice), and as a result I didn't think all of the storylines were carrying their own weight. This problem was relatively minor, and a few of the characters really did get a chance to shine (especially Mera).
All in all, The Lesson was a refreshing story, and I'd recommend it. I'll also look to see what Cadwell Turnbull does next.
cptskyheart's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
erinflight's review against another edition
3.0
The ideas in this book were terrific, but for some reason the narrative just didn't grab me.
I feel like this book sort of dances between being two things:
1. The stories of mundane people and how their lives are shaken and twisted by the arrival of aliens
2. An experimental sci-fi/horror story about aliens who don't think like we do, and the harm they're willing to incidentally cause
I think it might be possible for a book to be both of these things, but I don't think 'The Lesson' manages it. Instead, it feels like attempts at each weaken the other.
The attempts to tell mundane stories are weakened by a need to connect the main characters directly to the 'big events'. So the main characters don't get much time to tell their own stories, and instead feel like they spend most of their time orbiting the main alien character.
On the other hand, despite the characters up-close involvement with the aliens, the speculative elements don't feel very compelling. I think this might simply be a matter of info-dumping. The reader knows next to nothing, and doesn't have a lot to wonder about, and then they pretty much know everything. The narrative doesn't spend a lot of time showing us the horror or inhumanity or mystery of the aliens, outside of one or two (well done) scenes.
I think its possible a longer book could have fit both more easily, but I'm not sure my interest would have held if this was a 500 page novel instead of a 300 page novel.
Overall, there are some good ideas here, and some solid writing, but the whole thing just didn't quite gel for me.
I feel like this book sort of dances between being two things:
1. The stories of mundane people and how their lives are shaken and twisted by the arrival of aliens
2. An experimental sci-fi/horror story about aliens who don't think like we do, and the harm they're willing to incidentally cause
I think it might be possible for a book to be both of these things, but I don't think 'The Lesson' manages it. Instead, it feels like attempts at each weaken the other.
The attempts to tell mundane stories are weakened by a need to connect the main characters directly to the 'big events'. So the main characters don't get much time to tell their own stories, and instead feel like they spend most of their time orbiting the main alien character.
On the other hand, despite the characters up-close involvement with the aliens, the speculative elements don't feel very compelling. I think this might simply be a matter of info-dumping. The reader knows next to nothing, and doesn't have a lot to wonder about, and then they pretty much know everything. The narrative doesn't spend a lot of time showing us the horror or inhumanity or mystery of the aliens, outside of one or two (well done) scenes.
I think its possible a longer book could have fit both more easily, but I'm not sure my interest would have held if this was a 500 page novel instead of a 300 page novel.
Overall, there are some good ideas here, and some solid writing, but the whole thing just didn't quite gel for me.
asolis's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall, I liked this book. It felt like a really unique take on the alien landing/aliens among us genre. But a few things left me wanting.
There were a few conversations about how the presence of aliens changed the arts, blurred the line between fiction and science fiction, created a hard line between fiction before and fiction after. What a fascinating idea! But it was not explored further. The backstory of the Ynaa (aliens) was not very clear to me, or not developed enough. Since this was supposed to explain their cultural context and character motivation, I struggled with that throughout the book. I don't think I've ever said this before, but I think the book could have benefitted from an additional 50-100 pages.
Lastly, when I finished the book I found myself wondering, what was the point? What did the author want me to get out of this? Not all books need a message, perhaps, but it felt like this book was trying really hard to send one, and all I got was static.
There were a few conversations about how the presence of aliens changed the arts, blurred the line between fiction and science fiction, created a hard line between fiction before and fiction after. What a fascinating idea! But it was not explored further. The backstory of the Ynaa (aliens) was not very clear to me, or not developed enough. Since this was supposed to explain their cultural context and character motivation, I struggled with that throughout the book. I don't think I've ever said this before, but I think the book could have benefitted from an additional 50-100 pages.
Lastly, when I finished the book I found myself wondering, what was the point? What did the author want me to get out of this? Not all books need a message, perhaps, but it felt like this book was trying really hard to send one, and all I got was static.
dale_in_va's review against another edition
4.0
The Goodreads synopsis describes the action in this novel well. So if you want to know what it is about, read that.
This novel felt different to me than any other novel that I have read. I would say the closest to the tone of this novel was David Mitchells "The Bone Clocks". I found the book extremely engaging and interesting although the rate of action is very slow, and while we learn alot about the characters, I still feel as if I don't really "know" the characters. So I can see someone else feeling as if the characters aren't very well developed. Where this book excels is its very original point of view. It is refreshing to hear the atrocities of slavery expressed with brutal honesty, and without coded language. It is refreshing to have a book with all black characters where the main plot has nothing to do with slavery. (lol the slavery memories come through the eyes of one of the aliens).
I highly recommend reading this book. I love the use of colloquial carribean language and the sociological commentaries made in this novel. It feels like it could be an episode of the twilight zone. I am looking forward to reading more of Mr. Turnbull's novels.
This novel felt different to me than any other novel that I have read. I would say the closest to the tone of this novel was David Mitchells "The Bone Clocks". I found the book extremely engaging and interesting although the rate of action is very slow, and while we learn alot about the characters, I still feel as if I don't really "know" the characters. So I can see someone else feeling as if the characters aren't very well developed. Where this book excels is its very original point of view. It is refreshing to hear the atrocities of slavery expressed with brutal honesty, and without coded language. It is refreshing to have a book with all black characters where the main plot has nothing to do with slavery. (lol the slavery memories come through the eyes of one of the aliens).
I highly recommend reading this book. I love the use of colloquial carribean language and the sociological commentaries made in this novel. It feels like it could be an episode of the twilight zone. I am looking forward to reading more of Mr. Turnbull's novels.
fleigheng's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0