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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book. There were parts of it I really liked, but at the same time it was a slog to get through and didn't really captivate me all that much.
It's an unconventional book. It reads more like a connected collection of short stories. There's an entire chapter which consisted of a PowerPoint presentation and, although I found it a bit gimmicky at first, quickly became my favorite chapter of the book because it's such an interesting and new way of telling a story.
I loved the concept of the book. I loved the writing style. I loved the themes. I loved the PowerPoint chapter. In short, I loved the idea of the book. The actual content itself-- the story, especially the characters, bored me out of my mind. While the story and its characters are forgettable, I liked the book overall.
It's worth the read, at the very least.
(it's also another reminder for me to finally pick up In Search of Lost Time!)
It's an unconventional book. It reads more like a connected collection of short stories. There's an entire chapter which consisted of a PowerPoint presentation and, although I found it a bit gimmicky at first, quickly became my favorite chapter of the book because it's such an interesting and new way of telling a story.
I loved the concept of the book. I loved the writing style. I loved the themes. I loved the PowerPoint chapter. In short, I loved the idea of the book. The actual content itself-- the story, especially the characters, bored me out of my mind. While the story and its characters are forgettable, I liked the book overall.
It's worth the read, at the very least.
(it's also another reminder for me to finally pick up In Search of Lost Time!)
Boring and not interested in the characters
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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 book with a very misleading title (I avoided it for years bc I expected quasi psychological horror?). This novel* follows a smattering of characters in a series of loosely interrelated stories about musicians, music industry execs, publicists, and associated randos. The writing is good enough and the ideas are compelling.
*But: It takes until very late for it to feel like the stories start to cohere as a novel, and I wondered what the nonlinear sequencing was contributing besides, well, being able to claim nonlinearity. In a few places you can tell Egan knows you won't remember a character from a prior story bc the cues become so hammered so you won't miss it is the same person.
The final stories (from 2010, at publication) take place in the near future, now present. Some of what Egan anticipates here about Gen Z is chillingly accurate, although her invented slang sets my teeth on edge. This could also be foresight.
*But: It takes until very late for it to feel like the stories start to cohere as a novel, and I wondered what the nonlinear sequencing was contributing besides, well, being able to claim nonlinearity. In a few places you can tell Egan knows you won't remember a character from a prior story bc the cues become so hammered so you won't miss it is the same person.
The final stories (from 2010, at publication) take place in the near future, now present. Some of what Egan anticipates here about Gen Z is chillingly accurate, although her invented slang sets my teeth on edge. This could also be foresight.
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
emotional
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
really good at answering questions both before you have them and once you’ve almost forgotten that you had a question in the first place.
Makes you want to read it all over again immediately.
I liked the San Francisco section the most obviously
But I’m going to have to sit with the style cause I’m not sure about it right now
I liked the San Francisco section the most obviously
But I’m going to have to sit with the style cause I’m not sure about it right now
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes