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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I absolutely hated this book and DNF, I set the reading dates to the past so it wouldn't mess up my reading challenge but I read this in 2016.
I know that lots of people loved this book but I just could not get past the writing style. I have read a wide variety of styles and narrations in my life, and while I generally prefer third person narration I can enjoy and appreciate the artistry that other viewpoints and styles can give. However this just felt stilted and pretentious, it reminded me of the sort of poems I used to write when I was thirteen and filled with teenage angst. I struggled on through about a third of the book and then gave up.
If you can enjoy this style then good for you, other reviews will tell you that it is about important and difficult subjects that are worth writing about, but I could not hack it.
Incidentally Ms McBride's latest book, The Lesser Bohemians, is written in the same style, (I checked in Waterstones!) so if like me you didn't like it then don't waste your money!
I know that lots of people loved this book but I just could not get past the writing style. I have read a wide variety of styles and narrations in my life, and while I generally prefer third person narration I can enjoy and appreciate the artistry that other viewpoints and styles can give. However this just felt stilted and pretentious, it reminded me of the sort of poems I used to write when I was thirteen and filled with teenage angst. I struggled on through about a third of the book and then gave up.
If you can enjoy this style then good for you, other reviews will tell you that it is about important and difficult subjects that are worth writing about, but I could not hack it.
Incidentally Ms McBride's latest book, The Lesser Bohemians, is written in the same style, (I checked in Waterstones!) so if like me you didn't like it then don't waste your money!
Holy crap. HOLY CRAP, y'all. Amazing stream-of-consciousness debut, completely deserving of the Bailey's prize.
This wasn't an easy or happy read because of the subject matter and style, but I loved it.
Experimental stream of consciousness style is alluring to read but found the second half of the book repetitive.
A truly harrowing and uncomfortable read. Daring prose, hopeless storyline. Almost hope I can forget it but doubt I will. Did not enjoy it but have to admire a job well done.
well. i think the ugliness of existence has been fully explored now
Unlike really anything I’ve ever read, except for maybe Ulysses. Really plunges you deep into the narrators psyche as you experience life with her. Very hard to get through though as it seems that every time things can’t get worse they do. The content is very dark and generally upsetting, and so I don’t think I’ll read it again, but nonetheless a literary feat of writing.
very torn what to think of this. At times brilliant, at other times overwrought and seemingly derivative, and almost consistently frustrating, and somewhat slow. but it elicits a kind of terror and passion and a sense of reality which I can't really deny, so worth a read, despite it being painful and difficult.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes