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k_lenn's review
3.0
Ooh, I'm a bit conflicted about this one.
On one hand, I'm deeply curious about the lives of other people. It seems surreal that every stranger I see has a complete life of their own, with a subjective experience that's similar to mine but also completely different. And because of that, I loved that this book showed a 'slice of life' look at a wide variety of people, with a little string connecting them all together.
But on the other hand... a part of me couldn't help but wonder "Is that all?" when I closed the book. It's a very interesting idea, but nothing really wow'd me.
It's a quick read, however, and the writing style is easy to digest, even when the characters are dealing with more grim aspects of life such as illness, death, infidelity, etc. I don't think I'll remember this book for very long, but I enjoyed reading it quite a bit.
On one hand, I'm deeply curious about the lives of other people. It seems surreal that every stranger I see has a complete life of their own, with a subjective experience that's similar to mine but also completely different. And because of that, I loved that this book showed a 'slice of life' look at a wide variety of people, with a little string connecting them all together.
But on the other hand... a part of me couldn't help but wonder "Is that all?" when I closed the book. It's a very interesting idea, but nothing really wow'd me.
It's a quick read, however, and the writing style is easy to digest, even when the characters are dealing with more grim aspects of life such as illness, death, infidelity, etc. I don't think I'll remember this book for very long, but I enjoyed reading it quite a bit.
lillimoore's review against another edition
5.0
When I was in high school and a wannabe writer, always with a pen behind my ear, always toting journals and notebooks and extra scraps of paper, I used to write letters to strangers any time I travelled and stick them in the seat-back on the plane, wedged them between chair cushions in coffee shops, and left them wherever I could imagine a curious someone else finding them and getting something out of my words. This was a rather grandiose, romantic and pretentious moment in my life, but on the other hand, if I had been the recipient of these letters, I would have been immediately invested in their subject. I still to this day enjoy the concept, and might even take the pompous hobby back up after reading this superb book. I thought a stranger might enjoy a vignette of my own life.
Turbulence by David Szalay is an excellent and beautifully written series of 12 vignettes that highlights the concept of human interconnection across the world by following 12 people as each one of them travels from one airport to the next and someone they either know or encounter during their travels then begets the next chapter. Although short in its entirety and in every chapter, this book packed so much emotion and meaning into every word.
I loved this concept because I love a window into anyone's life. It's part of why I enjoy thrift stores and garage sales and people watching so much. Each of the twelve windows I got to peak through in this book, each brief moment with each character that I got to savor, was so indicative of who these people are, where they've been and where they're headed. The interconnectivity of it was a beautiful reminder of humanity. I particularly loved that the story ended where it began. It really emphasized how small this big world can be and how closely intertwined so many lives are without us realizing it. This review will remain short (by my standards), like the book it is about, because not much needs to be said to convey how much I enjoyed this. I will be adding this to my personal collection and will return to it many times over the years, and intend to give it as a gift in the future as well. It's just phenomenal.
Turbulence by David Szalay is an excellent and beautifully written series of 12 vignettes that highlights the concept of human interconnection across the world by following 12 people as each one of them travels from one airport to the next and someone they either know or encounter during their travels then begets the next chapter. Although short in its entirety and in every chapter, this book packed so much emotion and meaning into every word.
I loved this concept because I love a window into anyone's life. It's part of why I enjoy thrift stores and garage sales and people watching so much. Each of the twelve windows I got to peak through in this book, each brief moment with each character that I got to savor, was so indicative of who these people are, where they've been and where they're headed. The interconnectivity of it was a beautiful reminder of humanity. I particularly loved that the story ended where it began. It really emphasized how small this big world can be and how closely intertwined so many lives are without us realizing it. This review will remain short (by my standards), like the book it is about, because not much needs to be said to convey how much I enjoyed this. I will be adding this to my personal collection and will return to it many times over the years, and intend to give it as a gift in the future as well. It's just phenomenal.
rakoerose's review against another edition
3.0
This was perfectly satisfying and definitely quick to read. It’d be great if you’re in a reading slump. The fast pace and good writing may help!
I have to admit I initially was interested because of the gorgeous cover - props to the designer since it caught my eye! Now, after finishing this, I can see how it relates to the story.
I really enjoyed how connected the stories were. It felt a bit like that game “seven degrees of Kevin Bacon” but for normal, everyday people. How does this person relate to the next and the next and the next? It’s like a puzzle where pieces just keep falling into place.
However, the length of this is almost to the detriment of the stories. I found myself wanting to know more - which may be the point. That brief glimpses are sometimes all you see in someone’s life before you never see them again. I was pleasantly surprised by how much representation was shown in this, though, and how those small details helped in fleshing out characters quickly.
Reading this has definitely made me interested in reading more of David Szalay’s work and if you’re interested by this book, I say pick it up!
I have to admit I initially was interested because of the gorgeous cover - props to the designer since it caught my eye! Now, after finishing this, I can see how it relates to the story.
I really enjoyed how connected the stories were. It felt a bit like that game “seven degrees of Kevin Bacon” but for normal, everyday people. How does this person relate to the next and the next and the next? It’s like a puzzle where pieces just keep falling into place.
However, the length of this is almost to the detriment of the stories. I found myself wanting to know more - which may be the point. That brief glimpses are sometimes all you see in someone’s life before you never see them again. I was pleasantly surprised by how much representation was shown in this, though, and how those small details helped in fleshing out characters quickly.
Reading this has definitely made me interested in reading more of David Szalay’s work and if you’re interested by this book, I say pick it up!
coffereads's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
babyruth510's review against another edition
4.0
A short, clever novel where each chapter presents a new protagonist flying between two international cities. The characters are strangers who have crossed paths in the previous chapter. In the final chapter the novel comes full circle. A really quick and interesting read.
gayathiri_rajendran's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
paulsnelling's review against another edition
3.0
A nuanced and deeply moving sequence apparently. Not really. A dozen linked stories finally returning, via global outposts to its starting point. So we’re all connected, and all lives are interesting and troubled (to varying extent). So the dust jacket over claims, which doesn’t. It’s a nicely constructed dozen short stories which passed a pleasant hour-and-a-bit
parsimo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75