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aych's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mosesp's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely character study and sketch of a time and place. A very small book in the best way: focused, unified in vision and tone. Not remarkable in today's world, but I think at the time of publication it might have provided a few shocking moments in its frank presentation of certain topics. Some similarities in theme to Updike, but I much prefer this book for depicting self-absorbtion without being self-absorbed.
ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
2.0
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that perfectly captured that feeling of just listlessly meandering though life, but I absolutely despised the main character, Binx Bolling. My hatred of him made this an absolute chore to get through.
lucia_bell's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating, more adult and more southern take on Catcher in the Rye—also focusing on the ennui and lack of meaning in life and the struggle to find it, but more intelligent
ericfheiman's review against another edition
5.0
This might be my favorite novel of all time.
(Reread September 2016).
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Possibly one of the best works of fiction in latter half of the 20th century. They don't write them like this anymore, frankly, and that's too bad.
(Reread September 2016).
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Possibly one of the best works of fiction in latter half of the 20th century. They don't write them like this anymore, frankly, and that's too bad.
libbydibbles's review against another edition
The writing is smart, and I'm drawn to "checked out" characters like this, but I think it would have been more impactful for me at maybe a different age, or different time in my life...didn't quite hit the right spot for me.
nerissassippi's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is a beautiful and poetic description of New Orleans in the early '60s. The protagonists aren't likable, but they are realistic as depressed young adults trying to find their place in a society that is shifting away from the traditional Southern roles that they grew up with.
deegee24's review against another edition
3.0
This is a good novel, but I don't think it deserves its reputation as a modern classic. If you take away the mildly existentialist musings of the narrator, what you have is pretty ordinary and shallow--another novel about a white male bachelor going through a mid-life crisis. It's like a Southern version of Updike. Percy's prose style is distinctive and the major characters are well-drawn, but the minor characters are two-dimensional (the black characters especially are treated with racist condescension). The theme of moviegoing was intriguing, but Percy drops it midway through this short book, so it doesn't resonate as strongly as it should. The descriptions of suburban New Orleans were convincing, but again, they don't cut very deep.
annepw's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely brilliant. The Moviegoer is a masterpiece, and a tragically little known one at that. Thoughtful, thoughtless Binx filters his world into something faintly ironic but beautiful, and a story in which surprisingly little actually occurs becomes as rich and vital as any sprawling historical epic. There is a good deal brewing under the surface here. Highly, highly recommended.
thelucyfan's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve decided I’m just over rich white boys moaning about malaise. No matter how good the writing is.