Reviews

Big Machine by Victor LaValle

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kruton's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful 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

3.0

This is a re-read for me, and I do think the memory i had of this book was better than it actually was. But besides that is is very clear to me that this is Lavalle's first Novel. His first book is a short story collection, and I am no sure he made the transition particularly well. There are parts of this book that are spectacular: the concept is strong and the story is great for about 50%. It loses it's way in the last 100 pages. The tense switches don't make sense completely and it feel like shirt stories woven together. But overall not bad.

franklyfrank's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious 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

3.5

baron_jelly's review against another edition

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Not the story I expected it to be. It was a lot more grounded and less thrilling so I ended up feeling kinda bored. Not for me

moreglittermorefur's review

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4.0

I really do love it when everything goes off the rails.

mimooo's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful 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? Yes

3.0

i feel like there were some loose ends and muddled character motivations (so what did solomon clay want? what was going on with him? when did ricky learn to drive?)… also not sure about the whole weaponization of the homeless plotline and could have been a lot more (para)political in its message (the rise of the despised) but it was written with a lot of verve and humor with lovable characters . a fun read

meganpkin's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Loveable characters? No

3.0

This put me in a reading slump and I realise now I definitely don't do well with timeling jumping. Though I've handled it well before, it slowed this story down so so much and it was hard to remember why I cared to continue but I did because it was a part of a reading challenge I gave myself. There was some beautiful writing in it, definitely mystery and magic/otherworldliness which I enjoyed. Even half way through the book There was a new mystery which would open and most weren't really resolved or satisfactorily resolved anyway. Personally I dislike when male writers attempt writing about abortion or pregnancy and it doesn't feel worth it, it can be done well as LaValle did in The Changeling but this didnt have the same justification and felt more of a male centered view that was supposed to explain the protagonist and it didn't feel worth the possible triggers would bring to a reader. I'm glad I finished it but juxtaposed to my experience with his other works so far, I didn't enjoy this one.

Content Warnings

candiecane333's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

2.0

Love the writing, characterization & world building. However the story itself is slow, boring & makes no sense to me. So many things happened, but nothing really happened

unboxedjack's review against another edition

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adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

fracturing's review against another edition

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3.0

As a rule of thumb, the thriller genre is usually only slightly better written than romance novels. In that regard, this novel is outstanding. The fact that it could even pull off some light fantasy is even more commendable. But I'd still hesitate to call it great writing. The narrator's voice is a bit too contrived at times, like a middle aged guidance counselor trying to talk cool and hip to a bunch of high schoolers. It comes off forced. And some of the devices just got tiresome, like the toggling between two timelines during the climax of the book.

Overall though it was an enjoyable if slightly mindless read.

j_e_n_n's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

3.5

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