Reviews

Vurt by Jeff Noon

oak_55's review against another edition

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4.0

just the slightest bit pervurted

hakimbriki's review against another edition

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5.0

I don't know if the later works of Jeff Noon grant him the status of full-fledged virtuoso, but his debut novel is one mad and insanely thrilling ride. A work of genius.

Set in a dystopian Manchester, this book focuses on Scribble, a drug-addled young man and his search of his sister Desdemona, lost to the "Vurt" universe; a series of shared virtual realities in which the user can feel pain or pleasure. Vurt World is only accessible through the use of different types of colored feathers. Scribble's quest proves more difficult that expected. Along with his gang, the Stash Riders, he encounters bizarre and hostile characters and insurmountable obstacles.

I never wanted Vurt to end. It is one of those books that have the potential to revolutionize a genre and inspire generations of artists. Truly a game-changer.
The bleak and sinister atmosphere of Jeff Noon's Manchester coupled with the humorous, often melancholic and psychotic tone, the exceptional diversity of compelling and original characters and the mind-numbing features of the 'Vurtverse' will never cease to fascinate me. Any fan of Weird fiction/Cyber-punk/Fantasy/sci-fi should thoroughly enjoy this.

miori's review against another edition

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3.0

Bad trip

Наркомания, конечно, знатная. Безудержная, яркая, непонятная и дикая, что вполне оправданно. Но при этом слишком нарочито, показательно мерзкая - и вот это уже совсем не было обязательным. Я понимаю задумку автора покуролесить, эпатировать, вызвать у читателя целый шквал ярких эмоций, большинство из которых явно будут со знаком минус. И хоть я могу оценить такое намерение, ведь мастерство Нуна, несомненно, помогло достигнуть цели, но получить удовольствие от чтения было весьма сложно.
Впрочем, со второй половины получилось вникнуть в поток. Часть персонажей, о чудо, в какой-то момент даже превратились в личностей с хоть какими-то реальными чертами характера и особенностями, что позволило чуточку, капелюшечку, переживать о том, что происходит.
Книга даже читалась на каком-то кураже. Не буду перехваливать, впрочем, скорее всего, этот кураж был вызван желанием поскорее закончить, ведь с данным кислотным пациентом было все понятно уже на первых процентах 30-ти.

Этот несущийся кубарем, без остановок и направления, кислотно-разноцветный снежный ком проходится по читателю бессмысленно и беспощадно. Любители обязательно будут, но я, наверно, не одна из них и предпочитаю другие, менее бэд-триповые сорта наркотиков.

Смог ли Вирт удивить? Да. Но впечатлить — нет, ни капельки, уж простите.

lvlwing's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.5

purple4em's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

mercabx's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense

5.0

"My mind was like a stranger. A stranger with a gun in their hand."

caitsidhe's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book doesn't want you to do anything so prosaic as 'enjoy' it. Its an experience, a drug trip, a dream and a nightmare. It was also written in 1993 and it shows, with
dogman hybrid fucking being on page but queerness only hinted at

jetenold's review against another edition

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This was one of my assigned reads for an intro to Literature class. from what i remember it was really good, but totally trippy.

lagerlout's review

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3.0

Vurt is like the worst acid trip you could ever imagine but it's also one hell of a ride, ya know?

amphybius's review against another edition

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5.0

A very polarizing book I'm sure, due to the taboo plot lines, but the writing style is incredible and imaginative as an adolescent on psychedelics.