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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read this for book group, probably wouldn’t have read it otherwise. Heavy on class, cricket and a marriage that is on and off. Quite unlikable characters too
As acclaimed as this book was/is, I was sorely disappointed. Where the story could have been interesting -- the germ was there -- it failed to produce. The characters were woeful and less developed than they could have been. I couldn't wait to finish, not because it was compelling, but because I wanted to move on to something that was.
I imagine this book will be referred to as "That book about cricket" by some readers. Others will wax poetic about all the topics Mr. O'Neill touched on in the course of this ambitious work. I'm that person, but I'm short on time, so I'll list a few of the HUGE themes that I recall from my first reading of this novel:
-Marriage
-Communication
-Hopefulness
-Human connection
-Acceptance
-Male friendship
-Multiculturalism
-Parenting
-Wealth
-Depression
-Self-awareness (or lack thereof)
-New York
-London
-Terrorism
-Belonging
-Outsiders
-Love
-And many many more.
I admit that I started this work because I'd heard that President Obama had been reading it. I switched to listening to it as an audiobook, and I'm glad I did, since the actor Jefferson Mays did a brilliant job narrating this complex story. I feel like a need a stiff drink, but I'm glad to have experienced "Netherland."
-Marriage
-Communication
-Hopefulness
-Human connection
-Acceptance
-Male friendship
-Multiculturalism
-Parenting
-Wealth
-Depression
-Self-awareness (or lack thereof)
-New York
-London
-Terrorism
-Belonging
-Outsiders
-Love
-And many many more.
I admit that I started this work because I'd heard that President Obama had been reading it. I switched to listening to it as an audiobook, and I'm glad I did, since the actor Jefferson Mays did a brilliant job narrating this complex story. I feel like a need a stiff drink, but I'm glad to have experienced "Netherland."
Loved his writing. Excellent book when you want something dense yet pleasurable rather than overwhelming.
This book was very well reviewed. After sitting in my queue for a long time, I finally listened to it. I regret it. First, the good points - the prose is nice and the characters are interesting and nuanced. It was pretty to listen to. The author clearly has skill. But that's the best I can say for it. I SHOULD have liked this book. I like slow, character-driven stories. I don't need a ton of plot or action to keep me entertained. But nothing happens in this book. Like, really and truly NOTHING.
If it had been a short story or even a novella, I probably would have loved it. But it was an incredibly long book in which nothing happens at all. I listened to it all the way through, thinking at some point something would happen and that a point to the book would unveil itself. It doesn't.
The only thing I can think of is that the author was trying to make you understand the game of cricket by writing a book that moves along at roughly the same pace. Which is to say, glacially slow.
PLOT SPOILERS
At first I thought that things would start happening after the wife moves back to England. The protagonist makes new friends, takes up cricket, etc. Nothing happens. Discouraged, I read the plot synopsis, which made me think this would evolve into a murder mystery. It doesn't.
I'll give the writer that the concept was interesting (Nederland, being neither here nor there). Intellectually, I can appreciate the poignancy of the difficult relationship between an estranged husband and wife, the separated but not every truly separated nature of the relationship between adults who share a child. I am intrigued by the outsider position of the perpetual immigrant and his search for "home". I almost gave the book an extra star for that idea alone.
But it's not enough. I feel like the book warrants a two-star rating to warn off other readers. The book doesn't know what it's actually about. Is it about the relationship between the husband and wife? If so, why include the really (REALLY) lengthy details about cricket matches, cricket history, places where people play cricket in NY, and the history of baseball and cricket in the USA? Is it about the relationship between the protagonist and is friend? If so, why include so much excruciating detail about every conversation the husband and wife ever had? And if it's about cricket, then why is half of the book about other things? It's a weird combination of a lot going on and absolutely nothing happening all at the same time.
If it had been a short story or even a novella, I probably would have loved it. But it was an incredibly long book in which nothing happens at all. I listened to it all the way through, thinking at some point something would happen and that a point to the book would unveil itself. It doesn't.
The only thing I can think of is that the author was trying to make you understand the game of cricket by writing a book that moves along at roughly the same pace. Which is to say, glacially slow.
PLOT SPOILERS
At first I thought that things would start happening after the wife moves back to England. The protagonist makes new friends, takes up cricket, etc. Nothing happens. Discouraged, I read the plot synopsis, which made me think this would evolve into a murder mystery. It doesn't.
I'll give the writer that the concept was interesting (Nederland, being neither here nor there). Intellectually, I can appreciate the poignancy of the difficult relationship between an estranged husband and wife, the separated but not every truly separated nature of the relationship between adults who share a child. I am intrigued by the outsider position of the perpetual immigrant and his search for "home". I almost gave the book an extra star for that idea alone.
But it's not enough. I feel like the book warrants a two-star rating to warn off other readers. The book doesn't know what it's actually about. Is it about the relationship between the husband and wife? If so, why include the really (REALLY) lengthy details about cricket matches, cricket history, places where people play cricket in NY, and the history of baseball and cricket in the USA? Is it about the relationship between the protagonist and is friend? If so, why include so much excruciating detail about every conversation the husband and wife ever had? And if it's about cricket, then why is half of the book about other things? It's a weird combination of a lot going on and absolutely nothing happening all at the same time.
some very good observation of NYC life, but the writer goes on detours that end up no where. one hopes they add to the story, but the point escapes one.
I picked this book up urged on by the glowing reviews and countless awards. I was expecting to be transported into another land. I was disappointed. While o'Neills writing is fluid and clear I just wasn't engaged by the storyline. The melancholiac Dutch protagonist uncovering his friendship with his murdered Trinidadian cricket teammate grew dull for me at times. His cold British lawyer wife traumatized by 9/11 is equally unappealing. I kept waiting for more to happen. Disappointing.
was somewhat interesting when i was reading it - but not drawn to get back to it...enjoyed reading about NY having lived there for several years, but maybe I needed to understand cricket and it's emotive aspects. Did not end up caring about any of the characters -- always a sign of a miss for me!
I think if goodreads had partial ratings, I'd give this a 3.5.
This is not a book for everyone, especially those who likes a linear story. Having said that, this is a wonderful novel that encompasses a broad range of subjects, all of them told in a non-linear fashion and with a strong command of the English language. Narrated by Hans, the book gives us an insight into his life, primarily, his marriage to Rachel, his childhood, New York post 9/11, cricket, and his relationship with Chuck Ramkissoon.
I particularly enjoyed Hans' memories of his childhood, the sections discussion Hans' apartment neighbors. and the relationship with Chuck. I found the dialog regarding cricket a bit tedious at times, and I wasn't particularly fond of Rachel, perhaps because I didn't find her to be that well-developed a character.
Someone mentioned that this work had been compared to The Great Gatsby and I considered the parallels as I read. One might be able to view Hans in the same vein as Nick with Chuck playing the role of Gatsby - a romantic crook that intrigues Hans. I could also see comparisons being made in the language that is used to describe and portray New York.
Overall, I would recommend this but not to someone who likes a fast read or who would be bothered by the almost stream of consciousness type of storytelling.
This is not a book for everyone, especially those who likes a linear story. Having said that, this is a wonderful novel that encompasses a broad range of subjects, all of them told in a non-linear fashion and with a strong command of the English language. Narrated by Hans, the book gives us an insight into his life, primarily, his marriage to Rachel, his childhood, New York post 9/11, cricket, and his relationship with Chuck Ramkissoon.
I particularly enjoyed Hans' memories of his childhood, the sections discussion Hans' apartment neighbors. and the relationship with Chuck. I found the dialog regarding cricket a bit tedious at times, and I wasn't particularly fond of Rachel, perhaps because I didn't find her to be that well-developed a character.
Someone mentioned that this work had been compared to The Great Gatsby and I considered the parallels as I read. One might be able to view Hans in the same vein as Nick with Chuck playing the role of Gatsby - a romantic crook that intrigues Hans. I could also see comparisons being made in the language that is used to describe and portray New York.
Overall, I would recommend this but not to someone who likes a fast read or who would be bothered by the almost stream of consciousness type of storytelling.
Joseph O'Neill’s title has at least a double meaning, since the protagonist-narrator is Dutch. In a nutshell, the book deals with existential despair and the devolution of a relationship in post 9/11 New York. It is rich in detail, and may do for cricket what Moby Dick did for whaling, but in fewer pages.