Reviews

Music for Torching by A.M. Homes

jsenior24's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

nuscheda's review against another edition

2.0

John Updike meets Samuel Beckett (Godot). Liked the subject matter but the "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" preparedness of the novel to be turned into a screenplay was distracting and silly.

lisawhelpley's review against another edition

3.0

Don't read the dust jacket! I didn't until I was done, and I was so glad. Total spoiler. As I read this book, I was disgusted by so much of their behavior. Definitely a story of people who need help, and are willing to latch on to anyone who will give them a feeling of connection. I read this becuase I've read and really enjoyed another of A. M. Homes' books, This Book Will Save Your Life. This book is quite different, but I did like it.

makcar03's review against another edition

3.0

I'm really torn in my opinion of this book. As more time goes by since I've finished it, as I think about it more, I like it better than I did when I had first finished it. When I first finished this book I was absolutely shocked by the outcome, I put the book down and was incredibly confused, and really upset. But I knew that I didn't dislike the book, I hadn't been able to put it down. A.M. Homes' style of writing is mesmerizing, and the characters are all just so terrible and so lifelike in their bad qualities, everything is so descriptive and real. I had really liked the book throughout reading it. It was only in the last few pages that my opinion started to turn, the ending didn't feel like it fit in this book. Even though, looking back, there were some hints that something might happen, some event at least similar in intensity to what happened. But nothing felt wrapped up to me, and I don't mean to say that every book needs a clear and concise ending, but when I say that nothing felt wrapped up I really mean that absolutely nothing was finished when the book ended. So I'm torn. Throughout the majority of reading I liked the book, and then I was really upset by the ending. I feel like it needed more, like the characters need to learn from the ending rather than having the book finish in the middle of the events. I'd like to read more about these characters, to see if this event changed them in any way like nothing else seemed to.

wamuwi's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Strangely gripping. 

bayerwithme's review against another edition

3.0

I did not like this book but than again, I didn't like American Psycho yet still consider it a modern classic. Music for Torching is basically a grotesque and provocative modern-day Revolutionary Road. Be afraid of the suburbs, be very afraid.

boti's review against another edition

dark funny 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

While being a bit outrageous, this book is an interesting entertaining and realistic look at the human experience, and the relationships we form. The characters felt real, especially in moments where they acted on impulse or when we saw how they behaved in private, purely human. Through the characters we see the failure and want to abandon the idea of the American Dream. The marriage between the two main characters is complicated, layered and messy but there is still clear  that they love each other despite everything, just perhaps not in the traditional idea of love, or the way they think they should love each other. 

elliemcc11's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this. Love this author anyway and wasn't disappointed with this book.

Fav characters had to be Pat & George - leading such perfect lives but with cheeky secrets :)

Ending was a bit sudden and drammatic and totally unexpected.

joejoh's review against another edition

4.0

If you've read The Safety of Objects, this is a must read. If you haven't, this is still a highly recommended book. It's equally strange and familiar characters are beautifully drawn, and the situations, no matter how odd, feel as intense as a disaster and a family Thanksgiving dinner all rolled into one.

girlgeekcyclist's review against another edition

2.0

Kind of a mess. A quick but very dark read and strange book.