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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
I did not like the short story element, didn't feel long enough to connect with any of the stories or characters and didn't feel satisfied with getting anywhere with them
Booker Prizes (Winners/Nominees) are usually a safe bet for me. This just seemed random and boring at times, while still being entertaining and (some of the characters) somewhat relatable.
I had a blind date with this book. Hadn’t heard a thing, just picked it up off the shelf on impulse alone. Very pleasantly surprised, it’s a compelling reflection on the struggles men often inflict upon themselves. It was an interrogative and ultimately cathartic experience.
I really do love a short story. Because you don't hear all the details it makes me dwell more on the characters and create my own backstories for them. As with most collections some of the stories are stronger than others. All are about one man (although no man is an island). None of the men are heart-throbs or stallions or heroes but they do come across as human. Some of the stories are more conventional than others. When a frenchman meets a British mother and daughter on holiday things get quite Dahl-like with almost perverse imagery. Thrilled to read about Tranmere road and did enjoy the estate agent flogging French ski chalets. Some phrases really stuck with me like the lady who has well looked after toenails 'hard pink shine like the inside of a shell'. Would enjoy reading more of his characters.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Szalay’s writing is very impressive, and unique. Each one of these nine stories have dark, and melancholic undertone which I liked a lot. Nine men all around the world in the search of meaning of life, and existence.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Meanders a bit in places which normally isn’t a problem, but for a book of disjointed stories, it is a problem