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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I don't understand why this book is such a best seller... it was so boring...
I finished this book for book club. Had it not been for book club, I would *most definitely* have given up around a third of the way in and been happier for it.
It started cute. I was charmed and entertained for the first 50 pages or so. But then there was relentlessly no content to back up... anything...
I'm sorry, but there's no actual story (the following is spoilers, if it's possible to spoil a book with no story:) it's about a dude who lived through the entire 20th century and had dinner and vodka with everyone of importance -from multiple US presidents to Stalin to I don't remember or care - but refused to actually take an interest in politics or anything going on. He just runs around being lucky and nice and drinking vodka and building atomic bombs for everyone. But there's no damned story. It's like a really bad fan fiction of the 20th century, where the author just wants to make sure he pleases fans of the time period by making sure the protagonist interacts with everyone of any importance. But I say again: nothing happens.... so many pages of nothing....
I finished this book for book club. Had it not been for book club, I would *most definitely* have given up around a third of the way in and been happier for it.
It started cute. I was charmed and entertained for the first 50 pages or so. But then there was relentlessly no content to back up... anything...
I'm sorry, but there's no actual story (the following is spoilers, if it's possible to spoil a book with no story:) it's about a dude who lived through the entire 20th century and had dinner and vodka with everyone of importance -from multiple US presidents to Stalin to I don't remember or care - but refused to actually take an interest in politics or anything going on. He just runs around being lucky and nice and drinking vodka and building atomic bombs for everyone. But there's no damned story. It's like a really bad fan fiction of the 20th century, where the author just wants to make sure he pleases fans of the time period by making sure the protagonist interacts with everyone of any importance. But I say again: nothing happens.... so many pages of nothing....
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
A fun, historical read. Loved how much he put in here to show what happens in 100 years. How taking one step can lead to a wild and fun adventure.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed the main story, but all the flashbacks were SO ridiculous that I lost interest very quickly. This man just happened to play a key role in all major political events of the past century and made friends with basically every major world leader along the way? Come on. The main plot is ridiculous too, but it is actually funny because it *could* happen, you know? The dude's life story, however, is just implausible. On top of that, the writing style left the characters feeling flat and one-dimensional.
In short, if you want a funny story mixed with a lot of satirical political history, you might want to give this a go. But don't expect a literary masterpiece.
In short, if you want a funny story mixed with a lot of satirical political history, you might want to give this a go. But don't expect a literary masterpiece.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I give this a 3.5. It is perfectly ridiculous, but occasionally gets a little long-winded in the amount of ridiculous incidents. It’s a fun, not deep read.
funny
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes