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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
As others have pointed out, this book is incredibly misogynistic. At first I couldn't quite believe how disgustingly the author writes about the main female character in this story, but I continued in hopes that the foul descriptions of her would not ruin the whole book... It only got worse. One line inparticular "She is truly the idealised version of a Celtic Princess, lustrous red hair, pale skin, a body at once childlike yet strong" made me squirm. Not only because it has "lustrous" and "childlike" in the same sentence (ew) but also because, as the book goes on, it seems as if this is NOT a choice to make the protagonist and narrator creepy, but infact that the author actually thinks this is a normal way to describe women (double ew).
TLDR: If you see women as human beings you will probably not like this book.
TLDR: If you see women as human beings you will probably not like this book.
Interesting concept, very strange, muddied execution. For a story about stories, it seems more preoccupied with inserting elements that remove agency and surprise, rather than weave something organic and thematically on point.
I didn’t even really buy any of the characters, but the strength of the prose and the sort-of gothic fantastical over story kept me reading anyways. Because there are many stories I thought this one would have something meaningful and interesting to say, yet, as I said, it was more interested in a particular story and the casting of specific, but generic roles.
Surprising ending. But that doesn’t equal good. In fact one part made me laugh out loud. Then it was sound enough, for a plot in which the protagonists only purpose is to be a puppet on a string. Like I said: concept and prose carry it to the end, then it fumbles, pretty much.
I didn’t even really buy any of the characters, but the strength of the prose and the sort-of gothic fantastical over story kept me reading anyways. Because there are many stories I thought this one would have something meaningful and interesting to say, yet, as I said, it was more interested in a particular story and the casting of specific, but generic roles.
Surprising ending. But that doesn’t equal good. In fact one part made me laugh out loud. Then it was sound enough, for a plot in which the protagonists only purpose is to be a puppet on a string. Like I said: concept and prose carry it to the end, then it fumbles, pretty much.
There were moments when I thought the book is not even worth finishing. I mean the whole concept of "I see a beautiful woman created by my own mind, I hopelessly fall in love with her, I immediately understand her and she understands me and she loves me back" is simply riddiculous. Even though the heroine is sometimes fierce and independent, she is an object the whole time, not an active agent at all. Pity. Also, as the mythago wood does not have any rules and anything can happen, it's a bit difficult to be really invested in the story and the characters.
But then there was the atmosphere and that's what made me finish the book in the end. As much as I did not actually enjoy the characters and the plot, the whole fictional world was so tempting I found out I enjoyed spending time there nevertheless. I am still not certain if this really is a 4* book but it sure is worth at least trying and I am sure the characters and the plot will work pretty well for some other readers.
But then there was the atmosphere and that's what made me finish the book in the end. As much as I did not actually enjoy the characters and the plot, the whole fictional world was so tempting I found out I enjoyed spending time there nevertheless. I am still not certain if this really is a 4* book but it sure is worth at least trying and I am sure the characters and the plot will work pretty well for some other readers.
The ideas in this book are brilliant. England's last bit of ancient forest is only a few miles across on the outside, but on the inside, if you know just how to navigate it, it's the size of a small continent, and full of creatures and places shaped out of collective myth and the consciousness of the explorer.
But the book is boring. At first I thought it was the style. Even though it was written in the 1980's, it reads like 19th century fiction, narrated by a square Englishman who uses words like "shall" and "alas".
Now I think it's boring because the author doesn't know how to tell a story. A good story is full of interesting choices with real consequences. Holdstock's characters seem to plod through a tableau of mythic spectacles. There's an awesome ancient warrior princess who the men fight over, but she never rises above being a love interest because she's not allowed to drive the plot. No one is.
In one scene the heroes come upon a giant castle, easily the most impressive structure they've seen so far. In a good story they would explore it and find something that unexpectedly changes their goals or adds another dimension to the world. Instead, a knight charges out, chases them into the woods, and they continue on and never think about it again. This is an example of how this book is like a long dream that's not worth remembering.
But the book is boring. At first I thought it was the style. Even though it was written in the 1980's, it reads like 19th century fiction, narrated by a square Englishman who uses words like "shall" and "alas".
Now I think it's boring because the author doesn't know how to tell a story. A good story is full of interesting choices with real consequences. Holdstock's characters seem to plod through a tableau of mythic spectacles. There's an awesome ancient warrior princess who the men fight over, but she never rises above being a love interest because she's not allowed to drive the plot. No one is.
In one scene the heroes come upon a giant castle, easily the most impressive structure they've seen so far. In a good story they would explore it and find something that unexpectedly changes their goals or adds another dimension to the world. Instead, a knight charges out, chases them into the woods, and they continue on and never think about it again. This is an example of how this book is like a long dream that's not worth remembering.
Aburrido. Muy aburrido. Sobre todo la última mitad se me ha hecho terriblemente largo y he estado a punto de dejarlo en varias ocasiones.
Prescindible
Prescindible
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Men love to ruin a good idea with a creepy, creepy romance.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated