Reviews

Vurt by Jeff Noon

Only show reviews with written explanations

nrl's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Utterly captivating.

alibye's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

siriuschico's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

What is Vurt? Vurt is a dream in a feather that anybody can share. It is also a book about a dreamer running around with the Cthulhu-like junkie on his back, looking for his sister/lover (one person). So yeah, it is complicated.

Jeff Noon keeps being compared to Philip K. Dick, but I don't think that is a good comparison. Yes, both of their worlds are crazy and unique, but meanwhile, P. K. Dick is a genial, schizophrenic storyteller; Jeff Noon is more like a melancholic poet, sad but still full of colours. If something, I would compare him to Irwine Welsh because Stash Riders are nothing but junkies looking for their next fix.

This was my second read of Vurt, and I felt the same tingling in my brain as my first time. I read this way back in the past as a young (maybe too young) vurt-hungry boy, and I can see how many topics affected me. I always loved New Weird - almost poetic stories in extraordinary words where sci-fi and fantasy mix freely. Of course, I could complain about the fragmentation of the main story, about new characters appearing when it is most convenient or about the weird motivation of the incestual main character. Still, I just cannot keep out nostalgia from my rating. I'm sorry people, but these five stars are personal.

vinzoid's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

davecapp's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book is a literary masterpiece; if your mind is ready for it. It's a cross between A Clockwork Orange and Neuromancer, and crosses the realm between virtual and real so completely that you forget which one matters. Not only is this a thought-provoking piece of speculative fiction, but an impressive piece of storytelling. There are outrageous characters that you'll actually care about, albeit flawed, and a bizarre feeling you should never open that door, while seriously wanting to step right through. Brilliant.