Reviews - A Visit from the Goon Squad

6.35k reviews for:

A Visit from the Goon Squad

Jennifer Egan

3.71 AVERAGE

jlayne004's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

rikitikibobbywobbin's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH

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kscearcelevie's review against another edition

3.0

This is one of those books that I like better after I've finished it and had a chance to discuss with my book club. I enjoyed reflecting on the trajectories of the different characters' lives, and why/how the connections are made. The structure, or lack thereof, is really quite beautiful. I also enjoyed Egan's vision of the near future.

But I didn't enjoy the book much while reading it. The characters are uniformly unlikable, and I can't relate to the music biz that centers the world of the novel. The idea of time as a goon felt dull and obvious.

Overall, I'm glad I read it, but I won't be seeking out more from Jennifer Egan.

frankielochhead's review against another edition

5.0

i can see the two sides of responses to this book, yes in some ways it is a little proud of its own creative intelligence in weaving a magnitude of plotlines together. but, in everyway, it deserves to be. creating a gripping, entertaining book which shifts protagonist every chapter is a hard feat, and doing it with successful and beautiful style changes is even more so. this novel 100% deserves the praise it's received, i was both entertained and inspired and loved egan's style and character creation.

afrah_zainab's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Humanity's multi-dimensionalness was captured perfectly. This had me feeling very nostalgic, grief, but also hope and happiness.
Basically, this book was deep but I don't think I have the skills to praise it properly so I am gonna end I here