You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I like spy stories and I very much liked Boyd's "Ordinary Thunderstorms". So after an acquaintance of mine told me that this book was even better, I didn't think it necessary to do a quick "survey" on Amazon or read any of the reviews here. Bad mistake!
I couldn't believe how bad this book was. The prose reads as if written by someone who just completed a creative writing course, contains cliché after cliché and is full of toenail curling one-liners. At the start, I was wondering if Mr. Boyd had meant this book as a sort of satire, just to "wind-up" authors of spy novels.
Considering this won a "Costa", I will make a point of avoiding any books that ever got anywhere near to the list of nominations for this so-called "award".
I couldn't believe how bad this book was. The prose reads as if written by someone who just completed a creative writing course, contains cliché after cliché and is full of toenail curling one-liners. At the start, I was wondering if Mr. Boyd had meant this book as a sort of satire, just to "wind-up" authors of spy novels.
Considering this won a "Costa", I will make a point of avoiding any books that ever got anywhere near to the list of nominations for this so-called "award".
Woman discovers mother was a spy with another identity.
Chvíli mi trvalo, než jsem se do tohodle příběhu začetla. Ze začátku to bylo trochu pomalý a mě dělalo problém držet krok s příběhem, který neustále skákal od jedné věci k druhé. Ještě před polovinou jsem se však do příběhu vžila, a potom už příběh ubíval velmi rychle. Postavy jsem si oblíbila a děj byl velmi fascinující (hlavně příběh Evy ve válce!)
'Rumb' was used too many times for my liking, and some of the sub plots didn't really go anywhere, but overall I enjoyed it!
The protagonist(a) is named Eva Delectorskaya.
Does that make the novel Delectorable?
Does it justify a rating that is 'skaya-high?
Would the book be suitable for reading in a cigar-rolling factory by the lector?
I enjoyed the prose greatly and the plot well enough.
After reading my Kindle version, i discovered the hard-bound in my library. I had forgotten that I had read the book years ago, when it came out.
Not exactly a basis for rating it "5", n'est pas, Eva?
Does that make the novel Delectorable?
Does it justify a rating that is 'skaya-high?
Would the book be suitable for reading in a cigar-rolling factory by the lector?
I enjoyed the prose greatly and the plot well enough.
After reading my Kindle version, i discovered the hard-bound in my library. I had forgotten that I had read the book years ago, when it came out.
Not exactly a basis for rating it "5", n'est pas, Eva?
Having lived as an expat in various developing countries since the late '60's, I find that I missed out on many good authors when their works were originally published. Now, thanks to Goodreads recommendations, I am discovering a number of these, of which William Boyd is one notable example.
This is the third novel of his I have read this year, after A Good Man In Africa & An Ice Cream War.
I found Restless a very enjoyable Le Carre-esque tale, with Eva as a somewhat luckier Jim Prideaux. Thoroughly entertaining and I look forward to reading more of his novels.
This is the third novel of his I have read this year, after A Good Man In Africa & An Ice Cream War.
I found Restless a very enjoyable Le Carre-esque tale, with Eva as a somewhat luckier Jim Prideaux. Thoroughly entertaining and I look forward to reading more of his novels.
This is my first book by William Boyd and I really liked it.
This is one of the best books I've ever read. As I read, I felt like I was in a film, observing the characters, following them through their lives. The only reason it doesn't get five stars is that the ending felt a little rushed, a little pat, a little disappointing. I wanted a dénouement to fit the pace and intrigue of the story. I suppose you could argue that it was an ending true to life. The main story takes place in extraordinary times, the surrounding story in less extraordinary times. And maybe because I enjoyed the book so much, I was reluctant for it to end. I would have preferred something more satisfying at the end, though, when all's said and done.
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I dont know, it was good but also not good.
Eva's perspective was interesting, Ruth's made me want to skip chapters.
One day I will find a thriller I actually like.
Maybe.
Eva's perspective was interesting, Ruth's made me want to skip chapters.
One day I will find a thriller I actually like.
Maybe.