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gratiar's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
leaphornlover's review against another edition
1.0
It's no Desert Solitaire
No Abbey book has ever satisfied after that one. He writes beautifully, among the best, but just not my cup of tea
No Abbey book has ever satisfied after that one. He writes beautifully, among the best, but just not my cup of tea
ocurtsinger's review against another edition
3.0
I agree with some of the reviews that there are times when Sandy's character seems a little too one-dimensional, not much more than a male fantasy. However, this leads to the question of whether she's a real character or conjured by Gatlin. If she were a living and breathing character whom Gatlin actually interacts with, then I would be disappointed in Mr. Abbey for writing such a bland and sexist character. If she were a figment of Gatlin's imagination, which could be argued for, then I would commend Mr. Abbey for writing an imaginative commentary on loneliness, work, and fantasy.
Either way, I'll put up with the two characters' sexual banter to read the beautiful passages that Abbey evokes from a lonely Southwest lookout tower, the same way anyone who has read For Whom the Bell Tolls is willing to put up with the exhausting pillow talk between Robert Jordan and Maria. It's still a great work of literature, and I don't think any less of Abbey or Black Sun for the perverse relationship that forms the backbone of the novel.
Either way, I'll put up with the two characters' sexual banter to read the beautiful passages that Abbey evokes from a lonely Southwest lookout tower, the same way anyone who has read For Whom the Bell Tolls is willing to put up with the exhausting pillow talk between Robert Jordan and Maria. It's still a great work of literature, and I don't think any less of Abbey or Black Sun for the perverse relationship that forms the backbone of the novel.
dremps92's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
liberrydude's review
3.0
Lookout tower man meets girl half his age. Hooks up. Girl mysteriously disappears. That's about it with some nice imagery of nature and some musings on life and relationships.
beetoppa's review against another edition
1.0
I really really wanted to like this book. The setting for this book is in Northern AZ and the main character is a fire lookout - how applicable to my life, right? However, the book is absolutely awful. So many sexist and racist tones and it’s absolutely vulgar. A 37 y/o man falling in lust with a 19 year old girl. The objectification and dehumanization of women in this book is outrageous. This is just an erotica novel and I am so disgusted that I PAID for this book. If this book was more than 200 pages I would’ve tossed it but it was short enough to keep me in to finish it.
My first one star review and it was rightly earned.
Apparently Abbey dedicated this book to his dying wife, but the main character in the book is apparently divorced and has this fling with a teenager. How disgusting to dedicate this to your wife!!!!
My first one star review and it was rightly earned.
Apparently Abbey dedicated this book to his dying wife, but the main character in the book is apparently divorced and has this fling with a teenager. How disgusting to dedicate this to your wife!!!!
dpierson83's review against another edition
4.0
I've loved Edward Abbey's work reading Desert Solitaire in college. For whatever reason I'd never gotten around to reading Black Sun until I saw it in Maria's Bookshop in Durango Colorado in April of this year. I picked it up on a lark, and received a glowing review of it from the clerk who rang up my purchase.
I can't recall reading a book this short in length that was so haunting and beautifully-written. This is a tale of lost love and solitude, mixing Abbey's masterful descriptions of the scenery of the southwestern U.S. with frank, honest scenes of love and sexuality. This book resonated so powerfully with me that I read it in nearly a single sitting.
I can't recall reading a book this short in length that was so haunting and beautifully-written. This is a tale of lost love and solitude, mixing Abbey's masterful descriptions of the scenery of the southwestern U.S. with frank, honest scenes of love and sexuality. This book resonated so powerfully with me that I read it in nearly a single sitting.
monsieur_tunin's review
dark
sad
fast-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
2.0
el_entrenador_loco's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
brendageeker's review
4.0
This book has come alive for me partially because of the rich descriptive language and partially because I've been reading it on my walks in the burning summer sun. Will, the main character is a self-professed "old man" at thirty something, and he certainly does act, or at least think like and old man (Abbey was in his forties when he wrote it). The beauty of this novel is in the love story. If you ever had trouble describing infatuation or new love, let Abbey help you. And if you've never been in love but have experienced the paralyzing beauty of a sunset or the humility and awe-inducing quality of the lonely wild, let Abbey show you that they are the same, at least in his mind.