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reader_01's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
arf88's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not really sure what to think about this. It's a very weird read, and very "lit fic-y" in that there's no real plot. What plot there is, is left purposely ambiguous so you never know if there's two Paul's in alternative universes who's minds are slowly converging or just one Paul who's lost his marbles.
As far as the characters... eh. The main character is very unlikable which I imagine was the point. But what makes him unlikable, his self-obsession, also means that none of the other characters are really developed in any way. Which again is probably the point, but it did make for a frustrating, and sometimes tedious, read.
As far as the characters... eh. The main character is very unlikable which I imagine was the point. But what makes him unlikable, his self-obsession, also means that none of the other characters are really developed in any way. Which again is probably the point, but it did make for a frustrating, and sometimes tedious, read.
adru's review against another edition
Huvitavad mõtisklused fantaasiates elamisest, mälestuste usaldusväärsusest, tegelikkuse ebakindlusest ja identiteedist, mis on niikuinii ainult ette kujutatud asi.
waltzsofa's review
I once thought that the emphatic nature of words ensured truth. If I could find the right words, then with the proper will I could by assertion write all that was true.
ashleylm's review against another edition
2.0
Much like the main character's muddled sense of reality, I often found myself enjoying this book, only to realise I was anticipating enjoying it rather than actually enjoying it, and the true pleasure of reading it never quite materialized. In fact, most of the time, my active feeling was one of annoyance. What was the author trying to do? It wasn't clear, it never became clear, and (annoyingly) it was never going to have become clear, which I wish I'd realised upon entry. I'm at ease with ambiguity and dreamlike settings (I loved Ishiguro's The Unconsoled for example) but this never cohered for me. Had he kept up a game of who-was-writing-who I think all would be well, but by the time we arrived at the "white pages" moment, he lots me entirely.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
wimerek's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
adityamonga's review against another edition
4.0
“I particularly remembered being on the verandah of the villa I had borrowed from Colan the evening I made my most exciting discovery: that recollection was only partial, that the artistic recreation of the past constituted a higher truth than mere memory.”
Despite being aware of the delirious state of mind of the Protagonist, the twenty-nine year old Peter Sinclair, I could not help getting reeled into his fantasies. This book claims to look for Truth in a person's life story and the kind of role memory plays in creating that Truth. However, that claim involves a deluded reassurance that the author gives himself, while getting caught in a deeper fantasy of his own making. Disrespecting the line between Truth versus metaphor wrapper around Truth, the author loses control of reality.
This is a fantastic story about a man dealing with identity issues. At no point of time was I completely sure about whether Peter is understanding himself more or losing himself more. The story is masterfully written. Christopher Priest deals with concepts of Philosophy, Identity, Memory, Truth and most of all - Mortality. There is less originality in the events that happen in the book, but they take nothing away from crafty unfolding of those events.
It is most impressive how articulate Peter is in explaining his state of mind. I found myself empathising with him much more frequently than one should, with such a narrator.
Perhaps what I liked the most in the book was the illusion of being confident and in control. This particular detail felt dangerously close to real life. There were moments when Peter showed gratitude, assertiveness and this feeling of being high on possibilities. This feeling was sometimes a sign of decadence lurking around the corner. I've seen this pattern in my own personal experiences, which is probably why I found it more thrilling.
This book does not deserve a re-read, IMHO. But it does open you up to confusion, exhilaration, fantasy and deep acknowledgement of one's own complexity. So that makes it a good read.
I was impressed with The Prestige, which is why I gave Christopher Priest another shot. My respect for him has only grown.
poirotketchup's review against another edition
4.0
It reminded me a lot of 'Inception,' in a very good way. It's filled with a sense of melancholy that forced me to empathize with a character it was a little disturbing to empathize with. It refused to answer the questions I wanted to know - and helped me get used to the idea of not know what was real and what is misremembered.
the_scribbling_man's review against another edition
I have not rated this book, because I do not know what to rate this book. I do not know what to rate this book because I'm not entirely sure if I understood it, and if I don't understand it then I can hardly judge it.
It's either incredibly flawed and slap-in-the-face pretentious, or it's bloody flipping clever. Either way, I wouldn't give it any more than 4 or any less than 3. I enjoyed it, I was gripped; it was an experience, and I'm a little sad not to have someone else to talk about it with who has also read it.
Would I recommend it? That would depend. If you like ideas, then yes. It's brimming with ideas. It's quite wellsian in prose, but there isn't much depth to the characters. Despite this, and it's slow pace, it does keep you turning the pages.
This is my 3rd Priest novel and I feel like I have a good grasp on his style now, though I don't know if I like him as an author. I loved The Prestige, though once again, it's not a massively enjoyable read until the pay off at the end. I liked Inverted World very much, but the ending was way too Deus Ex Machina. This I enjoyed but I haven't quite made my mind up on it yet. Maybe one day I'll reread it. I'll almost certainly be reading more of priest, since there seems to be something captivating in his stories and ideas regardless of whether they end well or not.
It's either incredibly flawed and slap-in-the-face pretentious, or it's bloody flipping clever. Either way, I wouldn't give it any more than 4 or any less than 3. I enjoyed it, I was gripped; it was an experience, and I'm a little sad not to have someone else to talk about it with who has also read it.
Would I recommend it? That would depend. If you like ideas, then yes. It's brimming with ideas. It's quite wellsian in prose, but there isn't much depth to the characters. Despite this, and it's slow pace, it does keep you turning the pages.
This is my 3rd Priest novel and I feel like I have a good grasp on his style now, though I don't know if I like him as an author. I loved The Prestige, though once again, it's not a massively enjoyable read until the pay off at the end. I liked Inverted World very much, but the ending was way too Deus Ex Machina. This I enjoyed but I haven't quite made my mind up on it yet. Maybe one day I'll reread it. I'll almost certainly be reading more of priest, since there seems to be something captivating in his stories and ideas regardless of whether they end well or not.