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another_shoe's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
bookish_barista's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really enjoyable read. It kinda has the same energy as sitting at a nice cafe bar and spending the afternoon people watching. The author's words, descriptors, imagery - chef's kiss. It's definitely a book that has a poetic aspect without being pretentious. He just captures city life so so well. I especially like how he blends hustle and bustle of NYC with quite peaceful descriptions of the sun and trees. The only reason I'm marking it as 4 stars is that it can be quite hard to follow sometimes because there are so many characters and storylines. Also, bear in mind it was written in the 20s, so whilst the language is generally quite modern there are some very dated phrases used occasionally.
Some of my fav quotes:
"The trees spread branches of brittle purple into a dove-coloured sky; the large-windowed houses opposite glowed pink, nonchalant, prosperous."
"An elevated train shattered the barred sunlight overhead. He could see Ruth's mouth forming words."
"He wanted to break down the door after her. He dropped on his knees and kissed the step where she had stood. The fog swirled and flickered with colours in confetti about him. Then the trumpet feeling ebbed and he was falling through a black manhole. He stood stockstill."
Some of my fav quotes:
"The trees spread branches of brittle purple into a dove-coloured sky; the large-windowed houses opposite glowed pink, nonchalant, prosperous."
"An elevated train shattered the barred sunlight overhead. He could see Ruth's mouth forming words."
"He wanted to break down the door after her. He dropped on his knees and kissed the step where she had stood. The fog swirled and flickered with colours in confetti about him. Then the trumpet feeling ebbed and he was falling through a black manhole. He stood stockstill."
jboira05's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nickkmarshall's review against another edition
3.0
The book follows the intertwined lives of New Yorkers - both native to the US and coming from abroad. As well as this, it depicts their reception, successes and failures in the city and how their lives impact one another. Each character comes to find more flaws with the city as they indulge in its glory, leading to deep unhappiness for many.
Themes of migration and prohibition are very prominent in the novel - however there were vast undertones of racism and xenophobia throughout the novel (which I found overcast the intentions of the novel’s motifs).
Themes of migration and prohibition are very prominent in the novel - however there were vast undertones of racism and xenophobia throughout the novel (which I found overcast the intentions of the novel’s motifs).
gabi_leoncini's review against another edition
4.0
So, I don't usually enjoy modernist literature but this was excellent. I feel the best way to tackle this text is with pen and highlighter in hand because it is CONFUSING. There are still parts I don't understand, even after studying the text. However, it's definitely worth the read, Dos Passos' writing is genius.
iguanka's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cnyreader's review against another edition
4.0
The only constant character in this book is the city of New York, and we peer into the lives of many who live within her confines. Spanning a few decades, this book shows us through the Gilded Age into the Jazz Age, through WWI, and staring at the economic depression that looms. The reader looks into windows at snippets of lives, moments of joy, heartache, sorrow, elation, and the rest of the gamut of emotions.
I found snippets of prose in this book to be transcendent, and some of the descriptions stopped me for a minute in their beauty. The book is divided into three sections, and the mood changes as we move into darker times for the city and its residents. The sensation of being in a very specific moment and place in time was palpable, a considerable feat accomplished.
Food: at first, it was like those candied fruit slices- bright, full of strong flavor and sweetness. Then, it became darker and darker chocolate, until it was almost bitter.
I found snippets of prose in this book to be transcendent, and some of the descriptions stopped me for a minute in their beauty. The book is divided into three sections, and the mood changes as we move into darker times for the city and its residents. The sensation of being in a very specific moment and place in time was palpable, a considerable feat accomplished.
Food: at first, it was like those candied fruit slices- bright, full of strong flavor and sweetness. Then, it became darker and darker chocolate, until it was almost bitter.
banana_nana's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
iridium's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This took so long for me to read. I kept thinking that the amount of characters was confusing, and that was part of it, but a bigger part of it was that I was rarely emotionally attached to any character due to the writing style and the abrupt changes in perspective. I know it's supposed to be "avant garde" but it made it a slog to get through.
I will definitely give John dos Passos another chance. There's a lot of really good, interesting stuff here.
I will definitely give John dos Passos another chance. There's a lot of really good, interesting stuff here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Racism, and Suicide