Reviews - Onze avonden | The StoryGraph

592 reviews for:

Onze avonden

Alan Hollinghurst

3.95 AVERAGE

revri's review against another edition

3.25

informative 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: No

OVERALL RATING: 6.5/10 -> 3.25 stars on StoryGraph.

Characters: 7

I think Dave works well enough as a narrator, and many parts of his life are genuinely interesting to read about. However, even with the story told in first person, I must admit that it’s hard sometimes to comprehend his inner world or his relationships with others.

I also felt that the many moments his path crosses with Giles latter in life came off as a bit forced and didn’t add much to the story overall.

Setting/Theme: 5

I personally feel that the author tries to cram in too many themes, which makes the exploration of each feel a bit underbaked.

Writing Style: 9

I really appreciate how descriptive his writing is, and he's genuinely skilled at shaping emotional climaxes. My only complaint is that the prose is sometimes more complicated than necessary, which can get in the way of the reading experience.

Plot: 5

The plot has a weird effect on me. On one hand, I think it could’ve been trimmed by a few hundred pages, because getting through the first half was pretty rough. On the other hand, it still feels like it’s barely scratching an itch, like there’s more that needs to be delve into. One thing I do feel certain about is how the entire plot feels like it was held together by a fragile thread. While the ending kind of makes sense of this disconnected narrative, I still wish there was more cohesiveness and smoother transition between each chapter of his life.

Logic: 6

I think some of Dave’s actions could’ve been better justified, like

his belief that he and Chris aren’t compatible in the long run

. It also struck me as odd that there’s almost no mention of him facing any homophobic remarks, especially considering

he's fairly open about his sexuality and his mother is living with a widow

Intrigue/Enjoyment: 7

I was expecting more of an emotional punch to the gut, so the book left me a little disappointed. It’s still a good read overall, but I felt it wasn’t the most resonant and engaging entry in the league of reflective gay literature.