Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
I wasn't connecting with this for the first few sections - possibly because I was feeling rushed before Book Club. I think it's a compelling First Contact story--the aliens did come but they left pretty quickly too and humanity doesn't know what they don't know about the after-effects. God damn, everyone drinks a lot in this. My favorite section is the Richard Noonan-focused section, especially his conversation with Dr. Valentine Pillman.
mysterious
sad
tense
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
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The most admirable thing about roadside picnic is that it resists the temptation to over explain. Tons of evocative ideas and it gives your brain the space to fill in the gaps.
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a bit of a strange one to rate and review. On one hand I absolutely loved it and understand why the book is regarded a Sci-Fi classic. On the other hand there were a lot of elements in this book that I find more distracting and offputting than interesting. The beginning with Kirill was strong and it ended on a high note too. But in between things got a bit muddled. Alcoholism and hard to follow 'politics' aside, parts just seem somewhat unnecessary. I don't want to start on sexism and misogyny since it shouldn't surprise me, but even the male character relationships shifted a lot between interesting complicated dependence in these strange circumstances and what are these people supposed to be?
Overall it left a strong impression. Huge fan of the Tarkovsky film but if I had written the book I'd have been mad at him too.
Overall it left a strong impression. Huge fan of the Tarkovsky film but if I had written the book I'd have been mad at him too.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Acts as an instinctual catalyst. Two tonnes of tomorrow in bags or wraps or sculpture. Easy to douse with or by simple liquid because of the flavoring. Candied sardines being the closest and respectably strange finger food equivalent. It's light folly to relate to, it's the average man's warning signs meant to be known by everyone to weave and fit into a different pattern upon retelling. Folktales, mythology on the spot, sometimes we put away what we know into more acceptable terms. Recounts as casual elder tales of frontiersman woe, or the story that's supposed to match the man.
Easy to read and step into but breaks up that potent consciousness per each chapter. A new account ends and another begins. Different eyes from the same mouth, all in favor of their own opinion and view. Those who gain and those who don’t but gain anyways. Soupless handwashing, little drip because it paints your palms. An obedient wilderness to survive that makes you no different than the young man who hopes to have the same freedom as you.