Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
reflective
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
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed reading The Unconsoled even though the story reads like a frustrating dream, so I'm not sure what that says about me.
The main character never truly knows what's going on, and characters are always interrupting what he's doing to ask him to do things. This uncertainty leaves the reader disoriented and confused. Despite this The Unconsoled is quite compelling.
Probably not the best choice as my first Ishiguro novel, but 1Q84 was my first Murakami novel and I wasn't scared away by that either.
The main character never truly knows what's going on, and characters are always interrupting what he's doing to ask him to do things. This uncertainty leaves the reader disoriented and confused. Despite this The Unconsoled is quite compelling.
Probably not the best choice as my first Ishiguro novel, but 1Q84 was my first Murakami novel and I wasn't scared away by that either.
I'll be honest I had absolutely no idea what was happening at all with this book but it was pretty nicely written nonetheless
You will enjoy this if you like your books to be kafkaesque, which I, unfortunately, don't at all.
The dream-like (or nightmarish) style of this book left me not only irritated but deeply anxious. There are enough things in my life I manage to forget to do or that I'm somehow hindered from doing, I really didn't need an extra dose of "I know I should do X, but how about I wander to the other end of town and do somethings else entirely instead". I don't know what's there to like about this book, really. Other people write "It was strange and unpleasant but I loved it" and I really don't see why. (It might have stood a chance if it had had a different ending). In a way, it actually was pretty remarkable since I'm still mad and it's been three years. It's for you to decide if that's a good thing.
The dream-like (or nightmarish) style of this book left me not only irritated but deeply anxious. There are enough things in my life I manage to forget to do or that I'm somehow hindered from doing, I really didn't need an extra dose of "I know I should do X, but how about I wander to the other end of town and do somethings else entirely instead". I don't know what's there to like about this book, really. Other people write "It was strange and unpleasant but I loved it" and I really don't see why. (It might have stood a chance if it had had a different ending). In a way, it actually was pretty remarkable since I'm still mad and it's been three years. It's for you to decide if that's a good thing.
The plot of this book was like a Dostoevsky character. It seemed rational, if somewhat melancholy, for large stretches then suddenly it would go do something inexplicable and crazy. This seemed like a mood piece that went on way too long. Reading it made me feel the same sort of confused dissatisfaction (unconsolation?) that seemed to infest the characters.
I really enjoyed this unusual novel which I read for one of my book groups. It is the story of a pianist who is to perform a concert in an unnamed European city. He becomes completely involved in the lives of its citizens and becomes their adviser in all different personal and public matters. It is very well-written and compelling; it was a good choice for book group as there are many aspects to be discussed.
EDIT: I recently reread this and I gotta say, I'm bumping this up a star.
Wow. I was amazed by how much I liked this book, considering things. I know that views on this book are very divided, and yes, it is confusing, nightmarish, nothing is explained, characters act bizarrely, Ryder is somewhat infuriating at times, characters go on long monologues at the drop of the hat, and nothing ever gets done. Still, despite all that, I liked the book and was really absorbed while reading it.
There are many meandering subplots, asides, and monologues throughout the story that interrupt Ryder's progress, but the thing is that the monologues are essential to the story. If you don't have the patience to put up with them, then you won't enjoy the book. Seriously, those things are everywhere, and they're all connected to the larger tapestry of the town itself. Rather than get annoyed at them, it's better to just let yourself sink into the rhythm of the interrupting monologues. This is a book that sort of defies interpretation, so instead of trying to put things together, it's best to 'experience' the book and let things happen.
It's definitely not a book for everyone, but it was a surreal journey, one of the most dreamlike books I read, that I enjoyed.
Wow. I was amazed by how much I liked this book, considering things. I know that views on this book are very divided, and yes, it is confusing, nightmarish, nothing is explained, characters act bizarrely, Ryder is somewhat infuriating at times, characters go on long monologues at the drop of the hat, and nothing ever gets done. Still, despite all that, I liked the book and was really absorbed while reading it.
There are many meandering subplots, asides, and monologues throughout the story that interrupt Ryder's progress, but the thing is that the monologues are essential to the story. If you don't have the patience to put up with them, then you won't enjoy the book. Seriously, those things are everywhere, and they're all connected to the larger tapestry of the town itself. Rather than get annoyed at them, it's better to just let yourself sink into the rhythm of the interrupting monologues. This is a book that sort of defies interpretation, so instead of trying to put things together, it's best to 'experience' the book and let things happen.
It's definitely not a book for everyone, but it was a surreal journey, one of the most dreamlike books I read, that I enjoyed.