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tgold98's review against another edition
1.0
I have never been more confused than I was whilst reading this book.
bethanye92's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
saralouise6125's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
millennial_dandy's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 rounded down to 3 -- leaving room for growth
As with any novel that delves at times (and increasingly at the crescendo) into magical realism, "Moonstone" seems (at least from the mixed reviews here on Goodreads) to be rather divisive.
Many reviews of 'Moonstone' seem to have come away from the experience scratching their heads, and unhappy to do so. Others, including acclaimed author David Mitchell, laud it as "a pitch-perfect study of transgression, survival and love."
Something everyone seems to agree on is that this book has something to do with cinema, as the cinema in the novel plays a central role in many of the goings on of the plot. It is the place our protagonist, Máni, escapes to when he isn't servicing the 'gentlemen' of Reykjavik, it is where he first sees Sóla, who melds together with the actress on screen as she stands up to leave. And it is the site where the reality of the 1918 pandemic finally hits the citizens of the city after the final orchestra member succumbs to the disease and the cinema is closed.
As a reviewer for The Guardian, Hari Kunzru, points out in their excellent 2016 review there are many, many instances in which author Sjón creates doppelgaenger scenes in his novel to scenes in the 1915 French crime thriller 'Les Vampires'--the film playing at the cinema when Máni first encounters Sóla.
Did all of that texture fly over my head? Absolutely. Without reading Kunzru's review would I have gotten any of that? Absolutely not. I left my time with 'Moonstone' just as baffled and confused as anyone else, but despite sensing at many points in the novel that I was missing something, Sjón's prose would reel me back in and remind me that it wasn't that important. Or, at least, not so important that a lowly reader such as myself couldn't just enjoy the ride. To extend the cinema metaphor, it was at times rather like watching a movie in a foreign language without subtitles; you can follow the plot and enjoy the visuals even if you understand nary a word of dialogue--the feeling is still there. And then, later, if you want to go back and watch a dub or with subtitles, some of the blanks get filled in.
The dream sequences in particular are incredibly disturbing and beautifully rendered.
Definitely worth picking up for a post-COVID19 pandemic Pride Month, especially once you get to the 'reveal' at the end.
P.S. Sjón's depiction of the absolute refusal of the citizens of Reykjavik to stop going to the cinema during the pandemic until there were literally no musicians left for the orchestra was so (probably unintentionally) spot on it gave me a dark sensible chuckle.
As with any novel that delves at times (and increasingly at the crescendo) into magical realism, "Moonstone" seems (at least from the mixed reviews here on Goodreads) to be rather divisive.
Many reviews of 'Moonstone' seem to have come away from the experience scratching their heads, and unhappy to do so. Others, including acclaimed author David Mitchell, laud it as "a pitch-perfect study of transgression, survival and love."
Something everyone seems to agree on is that this book has something to do with cinema, as the cinema in the novel plays a central role in many of the goings on of the plot. It is the place our protagonist, Máni, escapes to when he isn't servicing the 'gentlemen' of Reykjavik, it is where he first sees Sóla, who melds together with the actress on screen as she stands up to leave. And it is the site where the reality of the 1918 pandemic finally hits the citizens of the city after the final orchestra member succumbs to the disease and the cinema is closed.
As a reviewer for The Guardian, Hari Kunzru, points out in their excellent 2016 review there are many, many instances in which author Sjón creates doppelgaenger scenes in his novel to scenes in the 1915 French crime thriller 'Les Vampires'--the film playing at the cinema when Máni first encounters Sóla.
Did all of that texture fly over my head? Absolutely. Without reading Kunzru's review would I have gotten any of that? Absolutely not. I left my time with 'Moonstone' just as baffled and confused as anyone else, but despite sensing at many points in the novel that I was missing something, Sjón's prose would reel me back in and remind me that it wasn't that important. Or, at least, not so important that a lowly reader such as myself couldn't just enjoy the ride. To extend the cinema metaphor, it was at times rather like watching a movie in a foreign language without subtitles; you can follow the plot and enjoy the visuals even if you understand nary a word of dialogue--the feeling is still there. And then, later, if you want to go back and watch a dub or with subtitles, some of the blanks get filled in.
The dream sequences in particular are incredibly disturbing and beautifully rendered.
Definitely worth picking up for a post-COVID19 pandemic Pride Month, especially once you get to the 'reveal' at the end.
P.S. Sjón's depiction of the absolute refusal of the citizens of Reykjavik to stop going to the cinema during the pandemic until there were literally no musicians left for the orchestra was so (probably unintentionally) spot on it gave me a dark sensible chuckle.
terrypaulpearce's review against another edition
1.0
If impressionistic, dreamlike writing with extremely slight narrative and continuity isn't your bag, avoid this.
sanjastajdohar's review against another edition
3.0
This is a weird book. Even for Sjon. But it has his unmistakable mark. After reading The Blue Fox, I must say I liked that one much better, this one seemed a bit unfinished at parts. But the theme and the style were enough to keep me going. Love the ending.
aleffert's review against another edition
4.0
Really more of a novella, but wonderfully atmospheric story of a gay teenager in Iceland in 1918 as influenza blows through