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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
what a weird rollercoaster of a book.
i can’t lie it was a bit slow at the start but when i got the pace of it i started to enjoy it
i can’t lie it was a bit slow at the start but when i got the pace of it i started to enjoy it
The Odyssey is a strange and ultimately quite bleak book that follows cruise ship staff member Ingrid as she joins a “membership” group after being recruited by the ship captain. I’m not quite sure if I enjoyed it, but I continued listening to the audiobook, so there’s that. Ingrid isn’t particularly likable but the story is quirky enough to keep the reader captivated-ish. Maybe a year from now I will have a clearer sense of the book but in general it was another book about a millennial protagonist feeling meh.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
A surreal, surprising use of Homer's Odyssey as a concept, which leaves you feeling emerged from a fever dream!
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I was too stupid to like this book…. Or at least “get it.”
The opening 3rd is very good, a fantastic set up and intriguing plot hook. Then, for the rest of the book I stayed mildly embarrassed and slightly sick.
It’s definitely a piece of art, but it was not for me. By the last third, I only kept reading for the hope that something would make it resolve, and the entire thing make sense in a way I could pull a final conclusion from. That never really came for me. Yes the ending was deliberately left open, but I felt a disconnect between the critiques of capitalism, the character’s personal journey, and the sea-sick feelings of being in both reality and unreality in our protagonists head.
I don’t think it’s a bad book. I just get motion sick very easily and I’m not quite sure what I just read.
The opening 3rd is very good, a fantastic set up and intriguing plot hook. Then, for the rest of the book I stayed mildly embarrassed and slightly sick.
It’s definitely a piece of art, but it was not for me. By the last third, I only kept reading for the hope that something would make it resolve, and the entire thing make sense in a way I could pull a final conclusion from. That never really came for me. Yes the ending was deliberately left open, but I felt a disconnect between the critiques of capitalism, the character’s personal journey, and the sea-sick feelings of being in both reality and unreality in our protagonists head.
I don’t think it’s a bad book. I just get motion sick very easily and I’m not quite sure what I just read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship
Minor: Vomit
I mean, if you're gonna write a book about Keith Raniere, then write a book about Keith Raniere don't do this. Leaving unrated as I haven't decided yet how I feel about it.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well-written but weird and strange, and not at all what I was expecting.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars.
This was a nice change of pace for me. I enjoyed it. Overall, it is a quirky book with an eccentric main character. You could say this type of novel is an acquired taste. The experience of reading this book more about being symbolic, poignant and thought-provoking than it is to tell a story or sweep you away. It can be a little dark, very weird and.... "British" (I do love British humor tho...) It was a compulsive read for me.
As it is, I love unusual/flawed/eccentric/quicky characters, so Ingrid was a delightful match for me. I also am fascinated by "cruise culture" and wish there were more books about the crew on cruise ships. (I find those mini societies deeply fascinating).
SUMMARY: 5-ish years ago, Ingrid went to work on a huge cruise ship. Cruise employees works nearly every single day, only occasionally getting a day off to go off the ship if they choose. Ingrid doesn't mind and takes pride in her work. She's also been recently selected for an advancement program/mentorship on board.
Ingrid has two close friends on the ship, whom are basically her family. However, once she enters the new program, tensions arise. Meanwhile, in her sessions with Keith (her mentor) we learn more about Ingrid's upbringing and that she is/was married. Eventually she realizes being busy on the ship keeps her from thinking about her husband and the life she had abandoned.
As more time passes, Ingrid also realizes the ship is declining. For example, there are less guests. The carpets start to appear dingy and dirty, etc. This leads Ingrid to wonder if it is time for her to go home.
I also hope to find more books by this author and narrator. Thank you Net galley for my ARC.
This was a nice change of pace for me. I enjoyed it. Overall, it is a quirky book with an eccentric main character. You could say this type of novel is an acquired taste. The experience of reading this book more about being symbolic, poignant and thought-provoking than it is to tell a story or sweep you away. It can be a little dark, very weird and.... "British" (I do love British humor tho...) It was a compulsive read for me.
As it is, I love unusual/flawed/eccentric/quicky characters, so Ingrid was a delightful match for me. I also am fascinated by "cruise culture" and wish there were more books about the crew on cruise ships. (I find those mini societies deeply fascinating).
SUMMARY: 5-ish years ago, Ingrid went to work on a huge cruise ship. Cruise employees works nearly every single day, only occasionally getting a day off to go off the ship if they choose. Ingrid doesn't mind and takes pride in her work. She's also been recently selected for an advancement program/mentorship on board.
Ingrid has two close friends on the ship, whom are basically her family. However, once she enters the new program, tensions arise. Meanwhile, in her sessions with Keith (her mentor) we learn more about Ingrid's upbringing and that she is/was married. Eventually she realizes being busy on the ship keeps her from thinking about her husband and the life she had abandoned.
As more time passes, Ingrid also realizes the ship is declining. For example, there are less guests. The carpets start to appear dingy and dirty, etc. This leads Ingrid to wonder if it is time for her to go home.
I also hope to find more books by this author and narrator. Thank you Net galley for my ARC.