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bluebooked's review against another edition
3.0
2 1/2 stars.
I'm going to say right here that this rating is a bit skewed because it wasn't until halfway through the book that I realized I'd begun it with the wrong expectations. Unfortunately, I hadn't enjoyed what I'd read up to that point to start over again. (I was recommended this book on the basis that I'd liked Good Omens and I kept expecting a more light-hearted tone for 100+ pages.)
Now, I'm certain this book is for some people out there, it just wasn't for ME. My main problem was the sheer volume of prose. I can appreciate prose! I love a good metaphor... but when every single sentence inspires three pages of plotless comparisons, I get a little exhausted.
And that's not even the full paragraph. It keeps going! Granted, Lucifer chalks it all up to the mind of the man he's possessing, Declan Gunn, who's a failed author with a suspiciously similar flaw. But... eventually overplayed trope turns into the real thing and it's tiring to struggle through. This 272 page book took me days to finish when a book of equal length should only take 2 sittings.
I enjoyed the characters and premise, but overall the execution let me down immensely.
I'm going to say right here that this rating is a bit skewed because it wasn't until halfway through the book that I realized I'd begun it with the wrong expectations. Unfortunately, I hadn't enjoyed what I'd read up to that point to start over again. (I was recommended this book on the basis that I'd liked Good Omens and I kept expecting a more light-hearted tone for 100+ pages.)
Now, I'm certain this book is for some people out there, it just wasn't for ME. My main problem was the sheer volume of prose. I can appreciate prose! I love a good metaphor... but when every single sentence inspires three pages of plotless comparisons, I get a little exhausted.
You know what Eden was? I'll tell you. Edenic. Susurrating trees reached out fingers of frothy foliage to catch the languid landings of turquoise birds. Opalescent streams exhaled the sweet scene of sewage-free water. Red and silver fish jeweled obsidian meres. Succulent grass appeared and let green really show itself. (That grass and that green, they were made for each other.)
And that's not even the full paragraph. It keeps going! Granted, Lucifer chalks it all up to the mind of the man he's possessing, Declan Gunn, who's a failed author with a suspiciously similar flaw. But... eventually overplayed trope turns into the real thing and it's tiring to struggle through. This 272 page book took me days to finish when a book of equal length should only take 2 sittings.
I enjoyed the characters and premise, but overall the execution let me down immensely.
arthurbdd's review against another edition
1.0
From the shallow theology to the blatant authorial self-insert, this is absolutely risible. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/you-blowhard/
trackofwords's review against another edition
4.0
Ever wondered what it would be like if the devil could tell his side of the story? Well look no further than I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan, a darkly comic novel in which the Fallen Angel is offered one last chance at redemption. Justifiably suspicious of the offer, he agrees to a month’s trial period, which he spends inhabiting the body of one Declan Gunn, a down-at-heel writer whose last acts before Lucifer’s introduction were to purchase a pack of razor blades and run a hot bath. With Gunn’s body at his disposal, Lucifer proceeds to make the most of his time on the corporeal plane, with varying results, and sets out to tell his side of the story while he’s at it.
Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/2015/04/19/i-lucifer-glen-duncan/
Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/2015/04/19/i-lucifer-glen-duncan/
cucumber_of_doom's review against another edition
1.0
This book sounded really interesting but didn't deliver. Lucifer tries very hard to be clever in his narrations but mostly it sounds like incoherent rambling.
mistrum_crowe's review against another edition
3.0
A character study that makes some interesting points and has a suitably persuasive and charming narrator, but spends way too much time on the hookers and blow to keep the interest going. I'm disappointed that it didn't do some more interesting things with the premise.
embattin's review against another edition
3.0
It takes a while, and I really mean a while to get to the described scenario. Also, keep a dictionary on hand. It's overall not bad tho
criticallyours's review against another edition
4.0
First off: forget Lucifer's forked hooves and bifurcated tongue; his talent lies in his motherfucking rod of ink.
Second off: however sharp his prose is, I can only take his prose in perhaps small doses perhaps due to his meandering plot line.
Much of it was reflecting on what we as a society do told in both slant-eyed and honest glimpses. But perhaps I was expecting more cheese and would have loved a bit more of a traditional storyline.
In any case, definitely a good read.
Second off: however sharp his prose is, I can only take his prose in perhaps small doses perhaps due to his meandering plot line.
Much of it was reflecting on what we as a society do told in both slant-eyed and honest glimpses. But perhaps I was expecting more cheese and would have loved a bit more of a traditional storyline.
In any case, definitely a good read.
stacydodds's review against another edition
dark
slow-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
2.0
sequana's review against another edition
3.0
"I, Lucifer, Fallen Angel, Prince of Darkness, Bringer of Light, Ruler of Hell, Lord of the Flies, Father of Lies, Apostate Supreme, tempter of Mankind, Old Serpent, Prince of This World, Seducer, Accuser, Tormentor, Blasphemer, and without doubt Best Fuck in the Seen and Unseen Universe (ask Eve, that minx) have decided - oo-la-la! - to tell all."
Lucifer has been given a chance of redemption provided he can lead a relatively blameless 4 weeks on earth. His vessel is one Declan Gunn, a depressed writer who’s suicide is paused to allow Lucifer's brief summer holiday of potential redemption.
From that opening sentence I thought I was going to enjoy this book more than I actually did. Written in a very descriptive style which in places really added to the story line heightening the senses Lucifer was feeling when he first entered Gunn's body. Does Lucifer lead a blameless life, well sort of but he sure as hell doesn't lead a clean life all excesses to the full.
Lucifer in the flesh is not a likeable character, but then I wouldn't have expected him to be, this would have ruined the story completely. He is extremely egotistical and frequently monologues about his prized achievements. These parts held no interest for me and I would myself skimming over these to return to the main story in hand.
I enjoyed the end and was satisfied by this, and thought the twist was perfectly done. Overall a good funny-in-places read but not one I would pick up again.
stranger_sights's review against another edition
5.0
This will always and forever be one of my favorite books. It is raw, funny, and at times poignant, and he's absolutely terrible - in exactly the way that one would expect Lucifer to be. I've read this book twice, and honestly, I'm likely to read it again. It's a great length for a 17 hour train ride, and it's comforting to me now, like a good friend.
If you find yourself debating whether or not you should read this book, do yourself a favor and just get on with it already - you won't regret it.
If you find yourself debating whether or not you should read this book, do yourself a favor and just get on with it already - you won't regret it.