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madeleinealise's review against another edition
5.0
This book is like a Japanese puzzle box with a deadly, atomic weapon inside. Unassuming under its cover and layered with a configuration of nuance, it takes time to unfold and just when you’ve gotten closer to reaching the truth, the bloody inside absolutely detonates itself onto you. The tension in this book is crafted masterfully - perhaps a little too masterfully - but then I guess that was the point all along.
There was foreshadowing, I will admit. I had been warned in Part I when the author discussed But the ending is not what you think it is.
It’s richly fascinating when an author can create a story with engrossing characters, intelligent plot points suffused with penetrating ideology, and a wholly unique and interesting premise. In many ways, I felt this book was the prototype of the perfect novel, with its effacing front and guiling interplay in which the core objective is disguised as almost something else entirely. It’s utterly brilliant and also horrifying at the same time.
This is what I mean when I talk about good fiction.
Holy shit.
There was foreshadowing, I will admit. I had been warned in Part I when the author discussed
Spoiler
a certain character’s adeptness with a certain type of sporting firearm. We could feel Mira being hunted from the start but I didn’t know how it was all going to play out. I knew he was going to end up killing someone but forgot about this detail until the final scenes and, once again, I was caught off guard.It’s richly fascinating when an author can create a story with engrossing characters, intelligent plot points suffused with penetrating ideology, and a wholly unique and interesting premise. In many ways, I felt this book was the prototype of the perfect novel, with its effacing front and guiling interplay in which the core objective is disguised as almost something else entirely. It’s utterly brilliant and also horrifying at the same time.
This is what I mean when I talk about good fiction.
Holy shit.
nulli_secundus10's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
eeculp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first ⅔ is really slow but then the last ⅓ is very suspenseful and engaging.
chengharriet's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved this book. The writing is amazing, and the plot is so beautifully crafted- it’s amazing to see it all come together. Ending was a bit rapid after first half. This review articulates what it does well on plot and choice: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/03/13/birnam-wood-book-review-eleanor-catton
ksaphire's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed the setup but all of the characters devolved into caricatures and then end fizzed out abruptly, 'off screen".
tr_sha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mimib4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not as good as the luminaries, but interesting satire and sometimes amusing.
delekelll's review against another edition
4.75
MACBETH!!! MACBETH!!!!! JESUS CHRIST ITS MACBETH!!!!!
The beginning of this book is slow and was difficult. The last 60% is a 5 or even SIX star story. I need to read more thrillers like this, spy vs spy intricate conspiracy. The worst part is that the book ends when everyone dies, and we don't get to see what happens after that.
Lady Darvish and Tony will live in my soul forever.
The beginning of this book is slow and was difficult. The last 60% is a 5 or even SIX star story. I need to read more thrillers like this, spy vs spy intricate conspiracy. The worst part is that the book ends when everyone dies, and we don't get to see what happens after that.
Lady Darvish and Tony will live in my soul forever.
tayloramazing's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Animal death
theyunacorn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0