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vwang3's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know why this book was so difficult for me. I read it after first reading Aloft, and I don't know if it was Lee having evolved as a writer in the later book or simply assuming a different narratorial persona, but I found the writing and narration in A Gesture Life so stilted and formal, so unnatural. None of the dialogue felt realistic; none of the inner narration did either. (*NB: reviews suggest that this is entirely intentional, that Hata's attempts to clinically analyze and explain his life are indicative of his character; I think that's probably true but I still found the style -- and the man -- off-putting.)
Also, Doc Hata was just a rather unlikable character. I think that was the point -- someone called him an unreliable narrator in the classic sense, and I agree with that -- but his utter emotional unavailability was never satisfyingly penetrated, never in a way that suggested his repressed depths that I think I was supposed to sympathize with. The part of the novel that most resonated with me (retrospectively) was arguably his most formative and despicable -- the ways in which he interacted with K. I suppose the rest of it may have been so far removed and so subtle that I just couldn't (or was too thick to) appreciate it.
Also, Doc Hata was just a rather unlikable character. I think that was the point -- someone called him an unreliable narrator in the classic sense, and I agree with that -- but his utter emotional unavailability was never satisfyingly penetrated, never in a way that suggested his repressed depths that I think I was supposed to sympathize with. The part of the novel that most resonated with me (retrospectively) was arguably his most formative and despicable -- the ways in which he interacted with K. I suppose the rest of it may have been so far removed and so subtle that I just couldn't (or was too thick to) appreciate it.
homewithyou's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Rape, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Addiction, Blood, Car accident, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Gore, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Murder, Racial slurs, and Sexism
sincerely_anya's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a month to read the first one hundred pages, but less than 6 hours to finish the rest.
teamaven's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is stunning and beautiful and difficult. I would reccommend it to everyone, but then again not. Who really can take it? My mind and heart will be working on this novel, these events and questions, for a long time to come.
eliseee_t's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
storycraft's review against another edition
4.0
The action of this book takes place in a relatively short period of time, perhaps a few weeks or months. However, it's late in life for main character Franklin Hata and he is in a reflective mode. Through his reflections, the reader learns piecemeal about his background.
One of the fascinating things about this book is the way details about events or characters are revealed only once the reader assumes they understand the situation. A crucial detail about his adopted daughter is only revealed after you've read about half the novel, and yet it changes everything about how you understand their relationship.
It's a contemplative novel with a main character who is concerned with avoiding choices. He yearns for a simple, predictable life in which roles are clear and responsibilities can be taken care of with great attention to detail. But the world doesn't work that way and in order to live a full life, emotions and choices are necessarily involved.
This book wasn't an easy read, but it is rewarding. It's about the consequences of passiveness and what it might take to move an individual towards making their life happen instead of letting it happen to them. It's about how a refusal to take emotional risks failed a well-meaning man in both love and fatherhood.
In the end it's also a redemptive story about a man who refused to choose finally taking action, making a choice, and finding some forward movement to propel him through the last phase of his life.
One of the fascinating things about this book is the way details about events or characters are revealed only once the reader assumes they understand the situation. A crucial detail about his adopted daughter is only revealed after you've read about half the novel, and yet it changes everything about how you understand their relationship.
It's a contemplative novel with a main character who is concerned with avoiding choices. He yearns for a simple, predictable life in which roles are clear and responsibilities can be taken care of with great attention to detail. But the world doesn't work that way and in order to live a full life, emotions and choices are necessarily involved.
This book wasn't an easy read, but it is rewarding. It's about the consequences of passiveness and what it might take to move an individual towards making their life happen instead of letting it happen to them. It's about how a refusal to take emotional risks failed a well-meaning man in both love and fatherhood.
In the end it's also a redemptive story about a man who refused to choose finally taking action, making a choice, and finding some forward movement to propel him through the last phase of his life.
cowboyvelma's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Felt it was heavy handed with the angst, interesting perspective though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Violence, and War
drexedit's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hernamewaslily's review against another edition
3.0
When I first began the book I was bored. I felt that it went on too much without a lot happening. However as I continued to read on it suddenly got a lot better and very interesting. The blurb on my copy of the book wasn't really what the story was about but the book is simply gorgeous and thought provoking.