Scan barcode
marklpotter's review against another edition
5.0
Halfway through A City Dreaming I posted this on Facebook:
"It's like Kerouac ate some really good acid and had a love child with Burroughs after time traveling to 2016. Actually it's probably not but that's the closest I can figure at about the halfway point. There's probably plenty of people who can tell me why my description is wrong, but I don't wanna be right, I just want to keep reading..."
I thought that by the end of the book that things would sort of coalesce in to a more coherent idea of what was happening but I was so very wrong. And before you think I'm being negative, glance at the number of stars I've given for this review. This is why my post from halfway through names Kerouac as the first thing that comes to mind. Polansky's M is the central character in a story, or maybe a series of stories, told in a breakneck style that can't help but remind me of the The Subterraneans and a bit less of On The Road. There simply doesn't seem to be any overarching story other than "what M did when he came back to New York that one time". This method used to tell this tale is very much a slice of life with a little bit of stuff leading up to M heading back to New York and culminating with M leaving New York. It's like a fractal of M's life, if you'll allow me to put it in those terms.
I've seen some reviews that describe M as some sort of adventurer but that's not really an accurate portrayal of the protagonist. He gives off more of a Henry Chinaski vibe, except when he doesn't, and well there's that whole magic thing. M seems, at least from my perspective, to be more of a vagabond. He doesn't really have much of a moral compass other than a desire to not upset Management (more on this later) and be involved in anything that he didn't start as little as possible. Not that he actually manages to accomplish this but I think in his heart he'd really rather be left the hell alone.
The world is modern, there's nothing really out of place or anachronistic going on. Most of the time, maybe most but possibly less, we are treated to fairly normal world that none of us would feel uncomfortable in. However when that stops and the strangeness starts it becomes all fever dreams, LSD trips, tumor induced hallucinations. Whether it's subway trains to fantastical destinations or child eating houses Polansky nails it and he nails it hard. Reality is not so much malleable as it is a lot more of what it is. If you don't understand that last bit, don't worry, you possibly could after reading the book, but probably not.
The magic system, well, it sort of isn't. There's never a described system laid out and, in fact, not one I can really glean from reading. A glimpse in to M's take on it is that the powers that be, reality if you will, let this stuff happen and if you don't warp things too much you're alright, if you warp things just right, at the right times, then you can manage enough luck to not actually work and live pretty well. That's slightly more than you'll actually find laid out in the book but it's how my head chose to wrap around what M described, but mostly in my own words.
While we have that glimpse in to how M sees things, we really never get another characters perspective on magic. M pretty much only hangs with others of his kind and they never really discuss quantum mechanics much less magic. While the use of an ill defined magic system is not unheard of, it usually detracts from whatever story is being told. A City Dreaming manages to do just the opposite. With the delerium tremens pacing and the lack of an overarching story line the way Polanksy uses magic here fits in perfectly.
For lack of a better term I will call some of M's destinations (even destinations may be for lack of a better word) alternate realities. The alternate realities is where Burroughs comes to mind. There's a Naked Lunch quality to a lot of the things that happen because of magic that flows under the whole narrative. Most magic in most stories strives to be real so we will be able to suspend our disbelief and Polansky obviously decided to throw that shit right out the window and does so in a beautiful manner.
In the end it's the writing that makes this book what it is. The prose in here is just amazing and I literally didn't want to put this book down. There are some scenes that should have offended my sensibilities but I couldn't manage to get any ire up at all because the writing was just good that I glided through those chapters without blinking. I may have thought back and realized I should have been disturbed but while reading I was completely entranced. Daniel Polansky has accomplished what amount to giving the finger to the entire urban fantasy genre in a spectacular manner.
If you've gotten this far and have no idea what this book is about, then don't worry, reading it won't help. While I put it on urban fantasy shelf, I really should make a shelf called WTF. I don't think I've ever read something so completely strange and enjoyed it so very much. I know I've never finished a book and a been at as complete loss as to what just happened as I was when I put this one down. Please realize that I say those things in the absolute best way possible. Polansky is a goddamn genius and this book proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt. If you know me in real life then you can expect me to be hounding you to read this the next time I see you. I don't know if we'll ever see M again but if we do I look forward to finishing the next edition and wondering "what the fuck did I just read"!
"It's like Kerouac ate some really good acid and had a love child with Burroughs after time traveling to 2016. Actually it's probably not but that's the closest I can figure at about the halfway point. There's probably plenty of people who can tell me why my description is wrong, but I don't wanna be right, I just want to keep reading..."
I thought that by the end of the book that things would sort of coalesce in to a more coherent idea of what was happening but I was so very wrong. And before you think I'm being negative, glance at the number of stars I've given for this review. This is why my post from halfway through names Kerouac as the first thing that comes to mind. Polansky's M is the central character in a story, or maybe a series of stories, told in a breakneck style that can't help but remind me of the The Subterraneans and a bit less of On The Road. There simply doesn't seem to be any overarching story other than "what M did when he came back to New York that one time". This method used to tell this tale is very much a slice of life with a little bit of stuff leading up to M heading back to New York and culminating with M leaving New York. It's like a fractal of M's life, if you'll allow me to put it in those terms.
I've seen some reviews that describe M as some sort of adventurer but that's not really an accurate portrayal of the protagonist. He gives off more of a Henry Chinaski vibe, except when he doesn't, and well there's that whole magic thing. M seems, at least from my perspective, to be more of a vagabond. He doesn't really have much of a moral compass other than a desire to not upset Management (more on this later) and be involved in anything that he didn't start as little as possible. Not that he actually manages to accomplish this but I think in his heart he'd really rather be left the hell alone.
The world is modern, there's nothing really out of place or anachronistic going on. Most of the time, maybe most but possibly less, we are treated to fairly normal world that none of us would feel uncomfortable in. However when that stops and the strangeness starts it becomes all fever dreams, LSD trips, tumor induced hallucinations. Whether it's subway trains to fantastical destinations or child eating houses Polansky nails it and he nails it hard. Reality is not so much malleable as it is a lot more of what it is. If you don't understand that last bit, don't worry, you possibly could after reading the book, but probably not.
The magic system, well, it sort of isn't. There's never a described system laid out and, in fact, not one I can really glean from reading. A glimpse in to M's take on it is that the powers that be, reality if you will, let this stuff happen and if you don't warp things too much you're alright, if you warp things just right, at the right times, then you can manage enough luck to not actually work and live pretty well. That's slightly more than you'll actually find laid out in the book but it's how my head chose to wrap around what M described, but mostly in my own words.
While we have that glimpse in to how M sees things, we really never get another characters perspective on magic. M pretty much only hangs with others of his kind and they never really discuss quantum mechanics much less magic. While the use of an ill defined magic system is not unheard of, it usually detracts from whatever story is being told. A City Dreaming manages to do just the opposite. With the delerium tremens pacing and the lack of an overarching story line the way Polanksy uses magic here fits in perfectly.
For lack of a better term I will call some of M's destinations (even destinations may be for lack of a better word) alternate realities. The alternate realities is where Burroughs comes to mind. There's a Naked Lunch quality to a lot of the things that happen because of magic that flows under the whole narrative. Most magic in most stories strives to be real so we will be able to suspend our disbelief and Polansky obviously decided to throw that shit right out the window and does so in a beautiful manner.
In the end it's the writing that makes this book what it is. The prose in here is just amazing and I literally didn't want to put this book down. There are some scenes that should have offended my sensibilities but I couldn't manage to get any ire up at all because the writing was just good that I glided through those chapters without blinking. I may have thought back and realized I should have been disturbed but while reading I was completely entranced. Daniel Polansky has accomplished what amount to giving the finger to the entire urban fantasy genre in a spectacular manner.
If you've gotten this far and have no idea what this book is about, then don't worry, reading it won't help. While I put it on urban fantasy shelf, I really should make a shelf called WTF. I don't think I've ever read something so completely strange and enjoyed it so very much. I know I've never finished a book and a been at as complete loss as to what just happened as I was when I put this one down. Please realize that I say those things in the absolute best way possible. Polansky is a goddamn genius and this book proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt. If you know me in real life then you can expect me to be hounding you to read this the next time I see you. I don't know if we'll ever see M again but if we do I look forward to finishing the next edition and wondering "what the fuck did I just read"!
cb1984's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Good fun. While there's a vague overarching plot, it's more a series of vignettes, with each chapter almost being a short story. It's just an interesting structure that I enjoyed. Polansky's brand of cynical humour also kept it entertaining throughout. Basically, a nice, enjoyable, easy read.
frysling's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
perch15's review against another edition
4.0
Daniel Polansky doesn't have a style. He has a voice. And like most voices--Gaiman, Hemingway, Grant Morrison, Warren Ellis--it occasionally rings flat or cracks at an inopportune time. But those cracks and fissures and flat notes make the uncompromising gut punch of his voice all the more visceral. Imagine Ian Mackaye shout-singing "Pretty in Pink" at a senior citizen's talent show--sober as a judge. It makes sense if you've read his work. Polansky might paint with fantastical colors, but like those guys I mentioned before, he writes about life lived. He's a hell of a writer and this is one hell of a book. I hope it gets the attention it deserves.
feelingferal's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. It's like if Neverwhere and The Magicians had a baby that once went through a high school phase where they hung out with the New Weird clique. So bummed it's over. I could read about M's adventures for an eternity
grudgemental's review against another edition
4.0
Did not expect this to be as good as it was. Once I realized it was just a bunch of magical short stories based around M in New York City it was such a fun read with some great weird, left field concepts and takes on magic and its use.
phaedraismyusername's review
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
randyrasa's review against another edition
4.0
A strange, un-nerving, hard-to-put-your-finger-on book. Quite odd, and yet oddly affecting. I did end up enjoying it a great deal, though I'm not quite sure why. The chapters are seemingly unconnected vignettes that somehow, by the end, mostly tie together into a whole, with an impact greater than expected. I'm not even sure what the end was, exactly, but it felt right. There are a number of laugh-out-loud moments, so watch for those.
ivinklerkomaric's review against another edition
4.0
Buddy Readathon sa Zdravkom 2023. – 1
S prijateljem sam komentirala u koji bi žanr mogli smjestiti ovu knjigu i složili smo se (zakomplicirali zapravo) da bismo ju smjestili u new weird urban fantasy noir. Hahahaha. Prozvali smo Polanskog Austerom urban fantasyja. S obzirom da inače slabo čitam urban fantasy, nemam ju s čim drugim usporediti pa će u mojoj glavi ostati tako.
Inače, knjiga je zapravo zbirka kratkih priča koje su povezane likovima, tematikom i kronološki. Imamo dva glavna lika, čarobnjaka M (tako bih voljela znati je li Polansky imao na umu neko konkretno ime pa ga je skratio da se mi pitamo, ili je zaista odlučio da će biti samo M) i grad New York. Da, grad koji ima svoja raspoloženja i srce. M i njegovi prijatelji dane provode cugajući, drogirajući se i klošareći, dok ih jedna od dvije kraljice New Yorka ne pozovu da razriješe neki magijski problem. Tako odlaze u zlu kuću, voze se vlakom kroz različite stvarnosti, smiruju biće u podrumu kafića da bi uvijek bilo cuge… i takve razne zabavne, čudne, nekad zbunjujuće situacije.
Ugodno me knjiga iznenadila, nisam baš imala predodžbu što ću čitati. I odgovaralo mi je što se sastojala od kratkih priča, jer sun eke bile toliko zbunjujuće da mi je između njih trebala pauza.
I na kraju mi se na zapešću lijeve ruke pojavila tetovaža Čitaj još Polanskog. :)
S prijateljem sam komentirala u koji bi žanr mogli smjestiti ovu knjigu i složili smo se (zakomplicirali zapravo) da bismo ju smjestili u new weird urban fantasy noir. Hahahaha. Prozvali smo Polanskog Austerom urban fantasyja. S obzirom da inače slabo čitam urban fantasy, nemam ju s čim drugim usporediti pa će u mojoj glavi ostati tako.
Inače, knjiga je zapravo zbirka kratkih priča koje su povezane likovima, tematikom i kronološki. Imamo dva glavna lika, čarobnjaka M (tako bih voljela znati je li Polansky imao na umu neko konkretno ime pa ga je skratio da se mi pitamo, ili je zaista odlučio da će biti samo M) i grad New York. Da, grad koji ima svoja raspoloženja i srce. M i njegovi prijatelji dane provode cugajući, drogirajući se i klošareći, dok ih jedna od dvije kraljice New Yorka ne pozovu da razriješe neki magijski problem. Tako odlaze u zlu kuću, voze se vlakom kroz različite stvarnosti, smiruju biće u podrumu kafića da bi uvijek bilo cuge… i takve razne zabavne, čudne, nekad zbunjujuće situacije.
Ugodno me knjiga iznenadila, nisam baš imala predodžbu što ću čitati. I odgovaralo mi je što se sastojala od kratkih priča, jer sun eke bile toliko zbunjujuće da mi je između njih trebala pauza.
I na kraju mi se na zapešću lijeve ruke pojavila tetovaža Čitaj još Polanskog. :)
daynpitseleh's review against another edition
4.0
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have no clue what this is but I loved it. It's more of a collection of vignettes rather than an actual novel; there isn't really a plot per se, but somehow it just works. The characters aren't likable, there is tons of stuff that is never explained, the blurb totally misleads you into expecting something else, and yet... I couldn't put this down. Wholly original and entertaining.
I have no clue what this is but I loved it. It's more of a collection of vignettes rather than an actual novel; there isn't really a plot per se, but somehow it just works. The characters aren't likable, there is tons of stuff that is never explained, the blurb totally misleads you into expecting something else, and yet... I couldn't put this down. Wholly original and entertaining.