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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I liked the overall story and that it was really a bunch of short stories that were connected. Although I usually like books with different POV I found it hard to get into as many of the chapters it took awhile before you knew who that story was about which then had me wanting to re-read once I knew who the story was about. I think I would have liked it better if it was clear from the start who the story was about.
Giving this 3 stars is generous. How did this win the Pulitzer??? I hated the graph/chart chapter written by Sasha’s kid. I didn’t get attached to a single character. It started very strong but unfortunately went downhill.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very unique, time-jumping "novel" (?) that follows a group of characters working in, or connected to the Music Industry.
Is it a novel? Is it a collection of short stories?
These are things I wish I had looked into before picking up the 2011 Pulitzer Prize winning book
A Visit from the Goon Squad. Why?
For the simple reason that I would have known what was going on. BUT once I got that all figured out, it was still a bit confusing. Why?
Because each chapter is a different story, told from the perspective of a different person, but the chapters are named after the name of the story, not the name of the person telling the story.
So I found myself starting the story without knowing whose story it was, and then once I had it figured out, backtracking and rereading it with a clearer picture of what was going on.
After I got THAT all figured out, it was still a bit confusing. Why?
Because the chapters / stories are non linear. One story can be in the past and the next story shoots an unspecified amount of time into the future.
And once I got THAT all figured out the book was done.
This should have been a five star read, I loved it.
I JUST wish the chapters would have specified the person telling the story and the year.
Maybe the confusion added to the mystique?
I mean it won a Pulitzer, so what do I know.
I just know, I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I did not have to go back and forth trying to figure out whose voice I was reading.
Is it a novel? Is it a collection of short stories?
These are things I wish I had looked into before picking up the 2011 Pulitzer Prize winning book
A Visit from the Goon Squad. Why?
For the simple reason that I would have known what was going on. BUT once I got that all figured out, it was still a bit confusing. Why?
Because each chapter is a different story, told from the perspective of a different person, but the chapters are named after the name of the story, not the name of the person telling the story.
So I found myself starting the story without knowing whose story it was, and then once I had it figured out, backtracking and rereading it with a clearer picture of what was going on.
After I got THAT all figured out, it was still a bit confusing. Why?
Because the chapters / stories are non linear. One story can be in the past and the next story shoots an unspecified amount of time into the future.
And once I got THAT all figured out the book was done.
This should have been a five star read, I loved it.
I JUST wish the chapters would have specified the person telling the story and the year.
Maybe the confusion added to the mystique?
I mean it won a Pulitzer, so what do I know.
I just know, I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I did not have to go back and forth trying to figure out whose voice I was reading.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
An expansive cast of characters and their lives weave together seamlessly in this book, resulting in connections that never fail to surprise you and demand your attention. Chapter 12, written in the form of a slideshow made by a 12 year old girl, is one of the best and most creative book chapters I’ve ever read.
This year I’ve been forcing myself to read five books from my pile before purchasing a new one, and A Visit From The Goon Squad was my first purchase of 2023.
I really enjoyed this, and was left wanting to know even more. More intimate details about each character, and more about the lives they lead before and after each chapter they were featured in.
While I could have done without Jules’ chapter (iykyk), each chapter’s unique narrative was a poignant reminder that time passes, people age, and lives change. And that life is challenging and heartbreaking, but giving and beautiful, too.
I need to fly through the next five books in my pile, because I cannot wait to revisit this universe when I purchase Jennifer Egan’s sequel, The Candy House.
I really enjoyed this, and was left wanting to know even more. More intimate details about each character, and more about the lives they lead before and after each chapter they were featured in.
While I could have done without Jules’ chapter (iykyk), each chapter’s unique narrative was a poignant reminder that time passes, people age, and lives change. And that life is challenging and heartbreaking, but giving and beautiful, too.
I need to fly through the next five books in my pile, because I cannot wait to revisit this universe when I purchase Jennifer Egan’s sequel, The Candy House.