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laviniag's review against another edition
It really seemed readable back at uni; New York in the 20's is something I'm fascinated about. Problem is that I got really bored at some point while reading, a few years later. Maybe it just wasn't the time for it then.
kelseysreads's review against another edition
5.0
In a lot of ways, this book is like an Edward Hopper painting, minus any embellishment. Each character, and there are many, exists with each other, but on another level, remains isolated and independent from everything. Dos Passos is reminiscent of Joyce in many ways, but I thoroughly enjoyed his style, whereas with Joyce I've been known to struggle occasionally.
One reviewer previously said that it's hard to understand this book unless you've lived in a large city, and I think that's fairly accurate. There are aspects of city life that will not seem familiar to those who have never lived in an urban environment, but I do think anyone can enjoy the book, simply because of the character development. The use of stream of consciousness is sudden and interspersed with the regular narrative form, but it only adds to the overall presentation of the numerous characters. I found it easy to relate to all of the people in the book, with a few exceptions (George Baldwin, Francie, Gus McNiel).
I've never read a book that so accurately captures the sound and noise of city life. Dos Passos was attempting to utilize the cinematic concepts of collage and pastiche in order to construct Manhattan Transfer, and while it succeeds on a certain level, it wouldn't have done so at all without the representations of the city. I felt as though I were there, in early 20th century Manhattan, covered in soot and grit, hearing the sirens as they rushed along, listening to the yells and calls of the other Manhattanites. This is a very unique book, and though I feel on a certain level that it disrespects Dos Passos to say this, I honestly believe that this novel is the American equivalent of Joyce, and deserves all the accolades that entails.
One reviewer previously said that it's hard to understand this book unless you've lived in a large city, and I think that's fairly accurate. There are aspects of city life that will not seem familiar to those who have never lived in an urban environment, but I do think anyone can enjoy the book, simply because of the character development. The use of stream of consciousness is sudden and interspersed with the regular narrative form, but it only adds to the overall presentation of the numerous characters. I found it easy to relate to all of the people in the book, with a few exceptions (George Baldwin, Francie, Gus McNiel).
I've never read a book that so accurately captures the sound and noise of city life. Dos Passos was attempting to utilize the cinematic concepts of collage and pastiche in order to construct Manhattan Transfer, and while it succeeds on a certain level, it wouldn't have done so at all without the representations of the city. I felt as though I were there, in early 20th century Manhattan, covered in soot and grit, hearing the sirens as they rushed along, listening to the yells and calls of the other Manhattanites. This is a very unique book, and though I feel on a certain level that it disrespects Dos Passos to say this, I honestly believe that this novel is the American equivalent of Joyce, and deserves all the accolades that entails.
vinceemery's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
expendablemudge's review against another edition
3.0
A too-long narrative poem, or a ramshackle near-miss of a novel. Read in my old book circle, 2010-ish.
quintusmarcus's review against another edition
5.0
I read this some years ago and loved it--probably my favorite of John Dos Passos' books. The constantly shifting perspectives, the color, the characters, the time--all fascinating and brilliantly captured in thrilling prose.
emmagetz's review against another edition
4.0
“The terrible thing about having New York go stale on you is that there's nowhere else. It's the top of the world.”
I read this for my lit history class as our last novel exploring the modern metropolis. I really liked it! The writing is was beautiful and cinematic, and the ensemble cast of characters was really compelling. It was a diverse group too, much more so than you would expect from most famous modernist novels. It was incredibly complex, so I would like to revisit it in the future.
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