Scan barcode
sgenheden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sandysonata's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m still making sense of this book but it goes without saying that the writing is incredible. The story clears up towards the end, like the sun peeking out of the clouds and it was an absolute joy to read.
jess_mango's review
4.0
I give this between 3.5 and 4 stars. I enjoyed the first half of the book much more than the last half.
lee_griffith's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
gcgulick's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, Heartbreaking book about wonder, about transience of life, and an era in American history narrated by Walt "The Wonder Boy". Highly recommended.
alyssasbwaybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thebobsphere's review against another edition
4.0
Paul Auster is one of those authors I like but due to the similarities of most of his plots, I have to space out the books. I bought Mr. Vertigo in The Book Exchange in Amsterdam in 2018 and I’ve just read it.
The main protagonist, of the book, nine year old Walter hails from a terrible background. One day he is spotted by Yehudi Menuhin and, after quite a ruckus, takes him under his care, with the promise that he’ll make Walter fly. At this juncture Walter is arrogant, judgemental, ignorant and illiterate.
As time passes by and Walter goes through many life changing tests, he learns how to fly and he and Menuhin decide to become travelling showmen. This, as one can expect, does not go smoothly and there are hijinks and a couple of surprises thrown in.
There are three Auster novels: 1) a meta fictional tale 2) a slightly quirky story and 3) the person who becomes enlightened. Mr. Vertigo falls into the third category.
As Auster novels go, it is solid. In a way, having read Moon Palace, which has shares it’s plot, I expected some things to happen and they did. The writing is great though and that kept me. Still the quality is high, One definitely cannot blame Auster for being inconsistent and that goes the same for Mr. Vertigo. Maybe not top tier but very good.
eriynali's review against another edition
5.0
excellent writing, could not put down. also the story stayed with me a long time. although the plot was (quite literally) fantastic and reminded me of (even cruder) roald dahl, it was soooo believable.