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laurencenz's review against another edition
5.0
If I were to be on Mastermind, my topic woudl probably be poopular music from 1966-1970. So reading this I was like a pig in shit.
David Mitchell does his customary great work in creating believable individuals that I was totally invested in. The strands and characters from his other novels are like old friends, who I found myself greeting fondly. Lots of lovely laugh out loud moments. And one chapter brought real tears down my face. A thoroughly satisfying read.
I was a bit concerned at the apparent coincidences of so many "names" being in the same place at the same time. Then I remembered that I had the same reaction to all the "name dropping" in Just Kids by Patti Smith, because of course they were all there actually. So although Traffic, Pink Floyd and Cream never played on the same bill at the Marquee, they definitely could have. And the brief vignettes of famnous individuals were spot on.
The group that Utopia Avenue most resembled, for me, was Eclection - both the music and the musicians (female lead singer, European guitarist with aristocratic links). I played their album after finishing the book and I could totally hear Elf, Jasper, Griff and Dean performing.
This one will be a tough one to beat, but I am looking forward to seeing the author do so.
David Mitchell does his customary great work in creating believable individuals that I was totally invested in. The strands and characters from his other novels are like old friends, who I found myself greeting fondly. Lots of lovely laugh out loud moments. And one chapter brought real tears down my face. A thoroughly satisfying read.
I was a bit concerned at the apparent coincidences of so many "names" being in the same place at the same time. Then I remembered that I had the same reaction to all the "name dropping" in Just Kids by Patti Smith, because of course they were all there actually. So although Traffic, Pink Floyd and Cream never played on the same bill at the Marquee, they definitely could have. And the brief vignettes of famnous individuals were spot on.
The group that Utopia Avenue most resembled, for me, was Eclection - both the music and the musicians (female lead singer, European guitarist with aristocratic links). I played their album after finishing the book and I could totally hear Elf, Jasper, Griff and Dean performing.
This one will be a tough one to beat, but I am looking forward to seeing the author do so.
jomynard's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book. My favourite David Mitchell yet. I felt like I was time travelling in the late 1960s.
doctoraction's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. Utterly dull bilge.
The constant name-dropping of famous old rock artists feels ham-fisted and deliberate, rather than natural and adding authenticity. What's the point of that? Read a debauched rock band's actual biography instead. If Mitchell loves this period he does a terrible job of passing that joy on.
I'm only fifty pages in but I'd expect to care about the characters at least a bit - but nothing. Not a sausage.
Weirdest of all, is how ordinary and clichéd it all feels. From David Mitchell. The Cloud Atlas guy. No flair or personality in the prose.
Not sure I've ever been this disappointed in a book.
The constant name-dropping of famous old rock artists feels ham-fisted and deliberate, rather than natural and adding authenticity. What's the point of that? Read a debauched rock band's actual biography instead. If Mitchell loves this period he does a terrible job of passing that joy on.
I'm only fifty pages in but I'd expect to care about the characters at least a bit - but nothing. Not a sausage.
Weirdest of all, is how ordinary and clichéd it all feels. From David Mitchell. The Cloud Atlas guy. No flair or personality in the prose.
Not sure I've ever been this disappointed in a book.
allan4neilston's review against another edition
5.0
A slightly different reading experience
I'm a great fan of Mitchell 's books. The mixture of music, biography and magic was effective, I liked the story and the characters.
I'm a great fan of Mitchell 's books. The mixture of music, biography and magic was effective, I liked the story and the characters.
nearsightedowl's review
4.0
I have never completed any David Mitchell novels before, but I'll try again after this. It felt a bit too long in places, but it was worth it and I only wish I could have "heard" the band better in my head :).
arunsethi's review against another edition
3.0
As ever with Mitchell, lots of clever ideas and smart writing. However, parts of the story feel a little mundane or dumbed down. That said, I did enjoy getting to know the characters and seeing their journeys.
sgrundy's review against another edition
5.0
This is just a terrific book. But it’s very hard to talk about without giving away some of the secrets. I was loving the book and then the twist took it to a whole new level.
Each of the band members are well drawn and we get great insight into their families and backgrounds. The historical figures who appear throughout the book blend seemlessly with the story and mix well with the band members and manager.
All in all I’m a big fan of David Mitchell and this book lives up to all his others.
Each of the band members are well drawn and we get great insight into their families and backgrounds. The historical figures who appear throughout the book blend seemlessly with the story and mix well with the band members and manager.
All in all I’m a big fan of David Mitchell and this book lives up to all his others.
michaelrhoda19's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable book about a fictional 60s band, and was kind of like reading an episode of Behind the Music with the rise, downfall, and all the sex, drugs, and rock and roll you would expect. I liked the tie-ins with Cloud Atlas, the only other Mitchell book I've read. The "Knock Knock" subplot was a bit odd, and required too much knowledge of the author's entire canon to fully grasp for a stand-alone book. I'll probably read some of his other novels at some point, though.
scraticeage's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
karin_ane's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book. It went to some unexpected places, but I really enjoyed the detours.