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kittyg's review against another edition
2.0
I got this book free on Goodreads as a giveaway but my review is not influenced by this.
I thought that the premise of the overall story is very interesting kind of similar in style to Shutter Island but original too. the lead character Baxter was witty and amusing and I enjoyed the book a lot from two thirds of the way in. The first section of the book was mostly scene setting and not greatly amusing for me personally but I am glad that I persevered as it has a good end and the confusion of the beginning all comes together in an interesting way.
I thought that the premise of the overall story is very interesting kind of similar in style to Shutter Island but original too. the lead character Baxter was witty and amusing and I enjoyed the book a lot from two thirds of the way in. The first section of the book was mostly scene setting and not greatly amusing for me personally but I am glad that I persevered as it has a good end and the confusion of the beginning all comes together in an interesting way.
vinayvasan's review against another edition
3.0
A darkly humorous snarky book with an interesting S African setting and a fairly compelling lead character on the lines of Jorg, if no one else. The book changes tone from the 1st 1/3rd to the 2nd 1/3rd to completely going over the top towards the end. The tonality shift is handled well in the first instance but goes totally goes weird towards the end. A fast paced, witty read, there is a rich exploration of African mythology. Weird characters and weird dreams populate this weird but immensely enjoyable book. Sucker Punch movie is the closest analogy to this book
boehmography's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
foolish_shane's review against another edition
4.0
I found out about this book after seeing a trailer made to promote the making of a movie. The video was great and I loved the book too. The writing is witty and the setting original. It is a bit confusing though because most books with a 16-year-old protagonist would be considered "Young Adult", but this was so "raw" and brutal that it definitely seemed like it was for adults, except then he cries about his girlfriend problems, which again makes it feel like it's a YA book.
So other than that, the book gets points for strange, funny and dark. Would LOVE to see a full-length movie and will definitely be checking out the next book.
So other than that, the book gets points for strange, funny and dark. Would LOVE to see a full-length movie and will definitely be checking out the next book.
tenaciousreader's review against another edition
4.0
Full Review at Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2015/11/09/audiobook-review-apocalypse-now-now-by-charlie-human/
This was a book that intertwined things I absolutely loved with elements that kind of pushed my tolerance limits for weirdness. It created a dichotomy for me while reading. Dark humor. Yes, there were so many lines in this that had me laughing out loud and feeling like I absolutely loved the book. Then it would switch and I would focus on the strangeness in this story, and I would be less sure. Some of the weird worked well for me. Porn star named Rumpelforeskin? Yep, I’m good with that.But some other elements, I wasn’t quite as taken by, but in general still liked.
This book was interesting in the way it was presented. We all know narrators can be unreliable. So, when a character interacts with the supernatural world others are oblivious to, and his family thinks he is going insane, who do you trust? The narrator (who may just be delusional)? The therapist he is seeing? Other characters that, for all you know, may or may not exist as you are getting them through Baxter?
Overall, this was a fascinating, absolutely hilarious, and bizarre book. It may have pushed my weirdness threshold at times, but the enjoyment I had from Baxter’s personality more than made up for it.
This was a book that intertwined things I absolutely loved with elements that kind of pushed my tolerance limits for weirdness. It created a dichotomy for me while reading. Dark humor. Yes, there were so many lines in this that had me laughing out loud and feeling like I absolutely loved the book. Then it would switch and I would focus on the strangeness in this story, and I would be less sure. Some of the weird worked well for me. Porn star named Rumpelforeskin? Yep, I’m good with that.But some other elements, I wasn’t quite as taken by, but in general still liked.
This book was interesting in the way it was presented. We all know narrators can be unreliable. So, when a character interacts with the supernatural world others are oblivious to, and his family thinks he is going insane, who do you trust? The narrator (who may just be delusional)? The therapist he is seeing? Other characters that, for all you know, may or may not exist as you are getting them through Baxter?
Overall, this was a fascinating, absolutely hilarious, and bizarre book. It may have pushed my weirdness threshold at times, but the enjoyment I had from Baxter’s personality more than made up for it.
queensaru's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elsmasho's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
laraph's review against another edition
5.0
Refreshing, funny, irreverent. Very original given it covers the major tropes of the genre. Highly recommend. And there's a sequel out already!!
hedgewinnery's review against another edition
4.0
A delightfully weird book, it's one of a handful I bought because I thought the cover was cool and have found myself rereading over and over. It's so full of both gross-but-fun imagery and mind-trickery that every reread is a joy and it's certainly staying on my shelf. It's a far shout from a lot of YA books I've read - it draws on complex South African mythology and has a protagonist who isn't immediately perfect and wonderful and a nice guy.
Also there's another book, which I have to read.
Also there's another book, which I have to read.
matt357's review against another edition
4.0
A fun action detective set in a supernatural South Africa. It feel a little YA at times, but thankfully doesn't pull its punches like. A lot of that age range.
It starts with a fairly intesting idea, of the main character and world maybe being the dream of someone from 150 years ago, and to be honest it doesn't waste that idea as would be all too easy to do
This merges in a lot more African creatures than you normally see with this sort oof area, which is great really. It means you can't come at these monsters with any idea of what they do, or how you beat them.
It starts with a fairly intesting idea, of the main character and world maybe being the dream of someone from 150 years ago, and to be honest it doesn't waste that idea as would be all too easy to do
This merges in a lot more African creatures than you normally see with this sort oof area, which is great really. It means you can't come at these monsters with any idea of what they do, or how you beat them.