rwaringcrane's review against another edition
5.0
I'll be thinking about this book for some time. Halliday's structure. The different voices and perspectives. What she says about privilege, class, power, and American culture.
The first and last chapters left me sheathing! I couldn't stomach the lopsided relationship between a young woman (the author) and her much older, famous partner (based on writer Philip Roth).
For the middle chapter, Halliday, like a chimera, shape shifts into the voice of an American-born Iraqi detained at a London airport. We feel his frustration as he waits, but also travel with his thoughts over the experiences that precede the unexpected pause and the questioning he faces as he tries to visit his brother in Iraq. How does a writer so believably bring to life someone so different from herself?
Juxtaposed with blunt intention, I'm still considering what the paring of these very different stories means. What it accomplishes is clear: a deeply satisfying read.
The first and last chapters left me sheathing! I couldn't stomach the lopsided relationship between a young woman (the author) and her much older, famous partner (based on writer Philip Roth).
For the middle chapter, Halliday, like a chimera, shape shifts into the voice of an American-born Iraqi detained at a London airport. We feel his frustration as he waits, but also travel with his thoughts over the experiences that precede the unexpected pause and the questioning he faces as he tries to visit his brother in Iraq. How does a writer so believably bring to life someone so different from herself?
Juxtaposed with blunt intention, I'm still considering what the paring of these very different stories means. What it accomplishes is clear: a deeply satisfying read.
evelynisabookworm's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
eileen_critchley's review against another edition
3.0
***1/2
If you have read anything about this book, you know it is loosely autobiographical in parts (the author had an affair with Philip Roth when she was in her 20s) and that there is a "twist" at the end bringing the first two sections together. The book is written in three parts, two seemingly unrelated stories followed by what some have called a "coda". The writing is very good, and I enjoyed the two stories on their own. The second story was my favorite. I got to the end and read the last section, eagerly looking for how the two were linked up until the last page. I then went back and read that section again, and a couple of reviews to see if I drew the same conclusion as others. Suffice it to say it's not an obvious connection at all, and I found it to be a bit disappointing. I think it's unfair to call it a "twist", as it definitely isn't that.
It's a good book. I didn't like it as much as I hoped I would. Is it something I would suggest others run out and read right away? No. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to fully "get it".
If you have read anything about this book, you know it is loosely autobiographical in parts (the author had an affair with Philip Roth when she was in her 20s) and that there is a "twist" at the end bringing the first two sections together. The book is written in three parts, two seemingly unrelated stories followed by what some have called a "coda". The writing is very good, and I enjoyed the two stories on their own. The second story was my favorite. I got to the end and read the last section, eagerly looking for how the two were linked up until the last page. I then went back and read that section again, and a couple of reviews to see if I drew the same conclusion as others. Suffice it to say it's not an obvious connection at all, and I found it to be a bit disappointing. I think it's unfair to call it a "twist", as it definitely isn't that.
It's a good book. I didn't like it as much as I hoped I would. Is it something I would suggest others run out and read right away? No. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to fully "get it".
mazer_31's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
scribblepost's review against another edition
5.0
At the end of this book, I had the simultaneous feeling of being completely satisfied and also full of questions. Or wonderment might be more accurate. How did she pull this off? And what IS this? Not sure the disparate sections really quite cohere and yet, that lack of neatness (the asymmetry, if you will) is partly why it works. The 'Folly' section had its moments (I found Alice's passivity pretty maddening at times, which I guess is the point), but 'Madness' is truly riveting, beautiful writing. The coda is wonderful. Having finished the novel, I want to read it again--and that's something.
fallen_adam's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
devonwardschroeder's review against another edition
3.0
I think this went right over my head after reading other reviews. I did not see the literary connections to characters and their stories.
I’m giving it overall 3 stars because I did find parts enjoyable. But, there were other parts (too many) where I couldn’t figure out the connection to the characters and the stories.
I was unable to truly attach and care about the characters and was ready for the book to be done well before the ending.
I am going to keep this on my shelf for a possible re-read. I’m interested to see whether or not being in a different part of my life will bring more clarity to others expressed genius of the novel.
I’m giving it overall 3 stars because I did find parts enjoyable. But, there were other parts (too many) where I couldn’t figure out the connection to the characters and the stories.
I was unable to truly attach and care about the characters and was ready for the book to be done well before the ending.
I am going to keep this on my shelf for a possible re-read. I’m interested to see whether or not being in a different part of my life will bring more clarity to others expressed genius of the novel.
bettyvd's review against another edition
3.0
Ik hield van de stijl en van de vertelstemmen, maar niet zo van de plot. Het eerste deel ging over wachten en toch leven. Het tweede deel ook. Het derde deel over niet meer wachten en toch leven. Denk ik.