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inaczej's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mandooh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
3.0
It had some really fascinating bits, and it was definitely a worthwhile read. I wish I hadn't been on a deadline to finish it, though, because it is a very long book (560 pages) and I would have preferred to take my time.
There were definitely parts where it dragged on and on, but those were balanced out by the rest of the book. I felt as though the entire book kept me fluctuating between the two extremes, where one minute I'd be enthralled and in the next bit I'd be bored (or sometimes confused).
There were definitely parts where it dragged on and on, but those were balanced out by the rest of the book. I felt as though the entire book kept me fluctuating between the two extremes, where one minute I'd be enthralled and in the next bit I'd be bored (or sometimes confused).
marccolgan91's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
pcastleton's review against another edition
5.0
Such an unusual book (or actually four books in one), there is nothing to compare it to. Thrilling and since I've no complaints, it gets five stars! One.of those books I hope to read again, but so few books are read more than once. It is no wonder that Gray inspired a profusion of new Scottish writers.
wm95's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
lornesausage's review against another edition
5.0
‘People in Scotland have a queer idea of the arts. They think you can be an artist in your spare time, but no one expects you to be a spare-time dustman, engineer, lawyer or brain surgeon’.
‘Our nations are not built instinctively by our bodies, like beehives; they are works of art [...] The possible shapes of them are endless. It is bad habits, not bad nature, which makes us repeat the dull old shapes of poverty and war. Only greedy people that profit by these things believe they are natural.’
‘Our nations are not built instinctively by our bodies, like beehives; they are works of art [...] The possible shapes of them are endless. It is bad habits, not bad nature, which makes us repeat the dull old shapes of poverty and war. Only greedy people that profit by these things believe they are natural.’
alexanderjd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
My initial takeaway is that I need to start writing notes as I read for books 300+ pages long, because I’ve forgotten half of the more specific thoughts I had on different chapters/books.
Second, the structure of this is beyond ambitious. And for the most part, pays off (which again, considering just how ambitious it was, is good enough for me).
Book 1 was definitely my favourite, haven’t read an author capture a lot of actual childhood feeling like that in a long time. Thaw’s sections also hold an amazing line about grief that I think bumped this up by a full .25 of a star. Another thing - anytime I did find myself aware of a flaw, seconds later I’d be reading one of the best bits of prose I’ve ever read in my life. Seriously, the timing was uncanny.
Very glad he spent 30 years on this. Really looking forward to reading Poor Things.
Second, the structure of this is beyond ambitious. And for the most part, pays off (which again, considering just how ambitious it was, is good enough for me).
Book 1 was definitely my favourite, haven’t read an author capture a lot of actual childhood feeling like that in a long time. Thaw’s sections also hold an amazing line about grief that I think bumped this up by a full .25 of a star. Another thing - anytime I did find myself aware of a flaw, seconds later I’d be reading one of the best bits of prose I’ve ever read in my life. Seriously, the timing was uncanny.
Very glad he spent 30 years on this. Really looking forward to reading Poor Things.