Scan barcode
sammaich's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
authoraugust's review
4.0
Adam Johnson is good. He's not great, yet, after this -- his debut novel -- but he's very good. Parasites Like Us starts out entirely too slowly, although by the end of the book all the little details his narrator, Hank Hannah, doles out incrementally make sense and tie everything together.
It's the emotional closeness to his narrator, though, that makes Johnson good. Hannah is not altogether a likeable character. In fact, as protagonists go, he's pretty pathetic and definitely not someone I would want to emulate (until near the end of the tale). But that's what makes him so real, although it's clear he is a caricature: he's human, and that's it. His identity isn't wrapped up in a race, a gender, a job (although he tries very hard to make sure you think it is); it's in his humanity. I suppose that's a built-in benefit of writing a post-apocalyptic novel, but...Johnson used it to his full advantage, and I sure appreciate it.
It's the emotional closeness to his narrator, though, that makes Johnson good. Hannah is not altogether a likeable character. In fact, as protagonists go, he's pretty pathetic and definitely not someone I would want to emulate (until near the end of the tale). But that's what makes him so real, although it's clear he is a caricature: he's human, and that's it. His identity isn't wrapped up in a race, a gender, a job (although he tries very hard to make sure you think it is); it's in his humanity. I suppose that's a built-in benefit of writing a post-apocalyptic novel, but...Johnson used it to his full advantage, and I sure appreciate it.
kathryn51's review
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
3.5
This book took me ages to read and I'm not sure what that says about it-- not quite boring, but there's something repelling about it.
matthewwester's review
3.0
I agree with many of the other goodreads reviews of this book; the first half felt too long and the second half didn't feel long enough. Though having said that, I enjoyed that this didn't feel like an end-of-the-world book so much as a book about the unspooling of the main character's life (which requires a lot of the mood that is established in the first half). Also, I can't say I've read a lot of books where archaeology and anthropology are so deeply ingrained in the plot, which was fun. This book contains the ups and downs of humanity (the ups of love/hope and the downs of the absurd and desperate). 3.5 stars.
rocketiza's review
3.0
While he's a superb writer this novel didn't really catch me, and really could have used a faster pace.
dsinton's review
3.0
Spooky with parallels to life in the world today. Some curious academic parts. Overall too much of a self-indulgent attitude, but I did keep going to the end.
greghxc's review
3.0
I just spent a good amount of time writing out a review for this book before the browser crashed. Of course I had no backup. I'm not sure I have the heart to bother rewriting another, so let's just say this book we enjoyable, and had promise... but that's about it. The anticipation he carefully builds never satisfyingly pans out. The only thing that saves this book is Adam Johnson's voice, which remains clever, intelligent and expressive throughout.
sterlingisreading's review
There just wasn’t enough happening this deep into the book. Didn’t get attached to any characters.
tolkeinfanpuppy's review
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25