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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Clever but tiresome.
I still liked this book a lot on second reading, though I have to say the long interlude where Grady visits his in-laws in Kinship dragged on way too long in my opinion. The film wisely chose to only touch on this.
Ugh. I know this was meant to be a parody of the patriarchal institution of academia and creative writing circles but it was just irritating to read a book written by a white man about white men writing books and being pretty rapey towards women and ya know? The only reason I stuck with this book until the end was because I had no other books to read, otherwise it would have been doneso so fast.
I may have found a new favorite author. I'll need to read a couple of more books first. (The Adventures of Kavalier and Klay just moved up on the long list of "To-Reads". It was one of those books that I didn't want to put down. It's about a writer who is on a downward spiral and the people he disappoints on the way down over the course of a very eventful weekend. Some parts were super quotable and at times inspirational. "Writers tell their best lies when they're alone." The characters are complex, the story ends right where it should, and the pacing is right on. Loved it.
Meh.
I read this because I am a crazy chabon fangirl and totally hang on his every word. this was his breakthrough novel, and I do make a practice of reading early novels so I remind myself that not everyone starts out hitting home runs. Honestly? This was barely a base hit. Compared to his later brilliant works it's like, how did the same guy write this? The main character is so blech! The events of the book are so contrived and annoying! It meanders! So, I mean, okay. Good to know.
I read this because I am a crazy chabon fangirl and totally hang on his every word. this was his breakthrough novel, and I do make a practice of reading early novels so I remind myself that not everyone starts out hitting home runs. Honestly? This was barely a base hit. Compared to his later brilliant works it's like, how did the same guy write this? The main character is so blech! The events of the book are so contrived and annoying! It meanders! So, I mean, okay. Good to know.
3.5 stars rounded down
I enjoyed reading this book with all its twists and turns (definitely felt like a book that could easily translate to a movie). The characters are very well-described, but it definitely has a "written by a man in the 90s" vibe.
I enjoyed reading this book with all its twists and turns (definitely felt like a book that could easily translate to a movie). The characters are very well-described, but it definitely has a "written by a man in the 90s" vibe.
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some Chabon books are impenetrable and impossible for me to read. Other Chabon books are impossible for me to put down. The works in the second category are typically flawless, epic, and leave a mark.
I am jealous of folks who get to read Kavalier & Clay for the first time. So, I've been putting off reading Wonder Boys for years knowing it's one of Ned Andrew's favorites. I used to keep my Easter Candy until Halloween -- when I would get a fresh supply -- and Wonder Boys was a Chabon chocolate truffle on my to-read shelf.
It certainly lived up to its promise. Now I'm going to miss it.
I am jealous of folks who get to read Kavalier & Clay for the first time. So, I've been putting off reading Wonder Boys for years knowing it's one of Ned Andrew's favorites. I used to keep my Easter Candy until Halloween -- when I would get a fresh supply -- and Wonder Boys was a Chabon chocolate truffle on my to-read shelf.
It certainly lived up to its promise. Now I'm going to miss it.