Reviews

The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag

tombennett72's review against another edition

4.0

Very atmospheric. Very long, but necessarily so. There were times when I looked forward to the end of a chapter - but it’s a long story...

jacobbechaz's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Beautiful novel (with slices of history and essay) exploring the themes of class, gender and revolution. The central trio of the novel are poised by Sontag to make us reflect on the possession of objects and being the object of possession. Really moving, profoundly reflective and surprisingly gripping (for someone with very little Neapolitan Revolution knowledge).

aquint's review against another edition

2.0

Some really wonderful moments
bogged down by a long, rambling narrative that didn't hold my interest.

jeffersoneverestcrawford's review

informative inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

constantlymaya's review against another edition

4.0

This is one of the most interesting pieces of historical fiction I’ve ever read. It details the lives of the Hamiltons and Admiral Nelson in the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Before starting the book I thought it might be primarily focussed on the affair between Emma Hamilton and Nelson, but it is really only a small part of the story, for example, the first part of the book is entirely devoted to William Hamilton’s diplomatic career in Naples and his first marriage (the title of the book even refers to his obsession with amount Vesuvius, which is a constant presence throughout the book just as it is over the city of Naples). If anything, the book is about the larger ideas of the psychology of collection and possession, and more particularly, the gendered politics of ownership and belonging. Full of reflections on different works of art, professors would love this book as a very complete example of ekphrasis. Sontag loves getting all postmodernist and and metafictive by breaking the fourth wall with 20th century references and an overt authorial presence. It’s a thought-provoking read, and I appreciated the complex feminist lens, but it can get ponderous and a little exasperating. Sontag’s prose is almost self-consciously cool and intellectual, and her writing style can seem forced and heavy at certain times. However, this is definitely a unique book that will make you think, as well as learning some interesting history at the same time.

frostyred's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was heavy on the flaws of the characters and I loved that. It pointed out what made them loved by others but also why they were just awful people too. They aren't meant to be liked and I loved it was written that way. The sections where you viewed them through the eyes of each other, the romance and passion they felt for each other! I also loved how Hamilton was obsessed with Vesuvius, just a guy and his favourite volcano. The story as a whole was pretty enjoyable but the ending was split into a bunch of first person narratives and it felt a bit scatty.

monsteraxiv's review

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mefi's review against another edition

dark informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

It was hard to read, I almost DNF this book. Almost no dialogues, long descriptions about collecting, sometimes it was difficult to carry on reading. Second part of the book was more interesting and certain parts with Horatio, but I wouldn't recommend it as an easy book to read.

toschekhov's review against another edition

1.0

Slow and boring 

ellsoquent's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75