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jesslynnstudio's review
4.0
Less a descent into madness than a continuation thereof.
I read Calibration 74 because I've seen it compared, favorably, to House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski. I can see how it's similar to Johnny Truant's story, though it reminded me more of Blake Butler's There is no Year, and The Way Through Doors, by Jesse Ball. The story is very dreamlike, poetic, and forces the reader to fill in the gaps. Or maybe I'm trying too hard to make sense where there doesn't need to be any. Regardless, I enjoyed it.
I read Calibration 74 because I've seen it compared, favorably, to House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski. I can see how it's similar to Johnny Truant's story, though it reminded me more of Blake Butler's There is no Year, and The Way Through Doors, by Jesse Ball. The story is very dreamlike, poetic, and forces the reader to fill in the gaps. Or maybe I'm trying too hard to make sense where there doesn't need to be any. Regardless, I enjoyed it.
katherineshawwrites's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
I knew this would be an unusual and experimental novella going into the book, but even with my mind as open as possible, I must admit I didn't really enjoy it.
Perhaps it is a little too surreal for me, but I was really hoping for an a-ha moment at the end when, at least in some subtle way, the metaphor at play would be revealed, but it never happened. Certain elements were very intriguing, and there is some great imagery and wordplay in places, but I find it wandered off too much in the final third or so for my liking, and became a chore to read. Perhaps that was the point, that we see the main character's mind stretch further and further from reality and the hint of plot that we've been given throughout, but I found it unsatisfying, personally.
I see others have rated this book very highly, so I can assume Calibration 74 just isn't for me. If you're wanting to read something on the very surreal end of magical realism, don't mind leaving with more questions than you went in with, and are interested in poetic stream-of-consciousness fiction, give it a try, and see what you think.
Perhaps it is a little too surreal for me, but I was really hoping for an a-ha moment at the end when, at least in some subtle way, the metaphor at play would be revealed, but it never happened. Certain elements were very intriguing, and there is some great imagery and wordplay in places, but I find it wandered off too much in the final third or so for my liking, and became a chore to read. Perhaps that was the point, that we see the main character's mind stretch further and further from reality and the hint of plot that we've been given throughout, but I found it unsatisfying, personally.
I see others have rated this book very highly, so I can assume Calibration 74 just isn't for me. If you're wanting to read something on the very surreal end of magical realism, don't mind leaving with more questions than you went in with, and are interested in poetic stream-of-consciousness fiction, give it a try, and see what you think.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
dawnhosmer's review
5.0
This is described as an experimental novella but I saw it more as a poetic journey into not only the main character's mind, but my own as well. There were so many lines in this story that made me stop, say "wow," and re-read them several times. I've highlighted several of those moments on my Goodreads account. Each calibration is a journey unto itself exploring issues like the quest for meaning, purpose, and understanding. There were snippets of other pieces of work and some pop culture references stitched into the narrative which I really enjoyed. Some calibrations provided clarity while others left me with even more questions.
This is a stunning and masterful piece of abstract fiction written during a time of great uncertainty in our world. This will be a piece of art in written form that I return to time and time again. It is so hard to describe because, like the human experience, each piece has meaning but the whole is breathtaking and beautiful. Highly recommend.
This is a stunning and masterful piece of abstract fiction written during a time of great uncertainty in our world. This will be a piece of art in written form that I return to time and time again. It is so hard to describe because, like the human experience, each piece has meaning but the whole is breathtaking and beautiful. Highly recommend.
ltwardwriter's review
5.0
'Calibration 74' is incredible experimental fiction that strikes like 'The Phantom Tollbooth' for adult fiction. Aicher skillfully uses cultural, historical, literary, and religious references and idioms to build upon the concept that numbers give purpose, give meaning.
While the plot meanders between a real story and an allegorical tale, the reader is treated to a roiling wave of thoughts, triggering deeper emotions about one's search for the meaning of not just life, but anything. It is initially through random numbers that Aicher's narrator analyzes and gives significance to, hoping that the answers in life would be revealed. As the novella continues, the reader is drawn deeper and deeper into the spiral, like a ride down a twisty slide with no clue where the end will land them.
I highly recommend 'Calibration 74.'
While the plot meanders between a real story and an allegorical tale, the reader is treated to a roiling wave of thoughts, triggering deeper emotions about one's search for the meaning of not just life, but anything. It is initially through random numbers that Aicher's narrator analyzes and gives significance to, hoping that the answers in life would be revealed. As the novella continues, the reader is drawn deeper and deeper into the spiral, like a ride down a twisty slide with no clue where the end will land them.
I highly recommend 'Calibration 74.'
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