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kimbofo's review against another edition
3.0
Mike McCormack's Notes From a Coma was first published in the UK by Jonathan Cape in 2005.
This newly reprinted edition by American publisher Soho Press has a cover adorned in lavish praise: "The greatest Irish novel of the decade" (Irish Times); "The next step in Irish fiction...visionary" (author David Means); and "The finest book yet from one of Ireland's most singular contemporary writers" (author Matt Bell).
Any wonder I was itching to read it?
At its simplest level Notes From a Coma is the tale of JJ O'Malley, a Romanian orphan who is adopted by an Irish bachelor and raised in the west of Ireland.
JJ's childhood is a happy one, but his life goes off the rails as a young adult when his best friend — and the closest thing he ever has to a brother — dies. Plagued by guilt and grief, JJ decides to do something radical and volunteers for a Government experiment in which prisoners are put into a deep coma and kept on a prison ship.
So, while this is a charming, easy-to-read tale about one boy's life in small-town Ireland, it also has a strange science fiction element to it.
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog.
This newly reprinted edition by American publisher Soho Press has a cover adorned in lavish praise: "The greatest Irish novel of the decade" (Irish Times); "The next step in Irish fiction...visionary" (author David Means); and "The finest book yet from one of Ireland's most singular contemporary writers" (author Matt Bell).
Any wonder I was itching to read it?
At its simplest level Notes From a Coma is the tale of JJ O'Malley, a Romanian orphan who is adopted by an Irish bachelor and raised in the west of Ireland.
JJ's childhood is a happy one, but his life goes off the rails as a young adult when his best friend — and the closest thing he ever has to a brother — dies. Plagued by guilt and grief, JJ decides to do something radical and volunteers for a Government experiment in which prisoners are put into a deep coma and kept on a prison ship.
So, while this is a charming, easy-to-read tale about one boy's life in small-town Ireland, it also has a strange science fiction element to it.
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog.
samhouston23's review against another edition
4.0
Mike McCormack’s Notes from a Coma made quite a splash in Ireland when it was published there in 2005, receiving such a good reception from readers and critics that it was shortlisted in 2006 for the Irish Book of the Year award. Now it makes its American debut as a Soho Paperback Original.
The book has a strange feel to it. Because it was written eight years ago, it is set in the recent past – but with just enough spin on that past to give the story a bit of a surrealistic science fiction feel. Largely character-driven, Notes from a Coma tells the story of JJ O’Malley, a young man characterized as “someone who is too smart for his own good but not smart enough to see that.”
Anthony O’Malley, a lonely Irish farmer, plucked JJ from a filthy Romanian orphanage not long after the overthrow of that country’s communist government. It was a relatively simple cash transaction (something that would haunt JJ’s self-esteem when he figured it out), and in a matter of days the naïve Irishman was back on the farm with his months-old son. And, with much help from a neighbor’s wife who had a young son of her own, the brilliant JJ O’Malley thrived in his new world.
JJ O’Malley is one of those students who have their teachers scrambling just to keep up with them, much less stay one step ahead. He fits in well, the community takes pride in him, and he has long-term girlfriend and a best friend he considers to be more his brother. Then one day JJ’s emotional security is devastated by a shocking loss that no one can help him work his way through. But when the young man ends up on a prison ship docked in nearby Killary Harbor, part of an ambitious medical experiment he has volunteered for, the town is still proud of him.
The European Penal Commission is looking for an alternative it can offer to first-time offenders being incarcerated for what it considers to be “less serious” crimes. Perhaps, placing these offenders into a deep coma under strict medical supervision for the duration of their sentences is the answer. JJ and his fellow volunteers are on the prison ship to test the theory.
Notes from a Coma is a story told simultaneously at two levels. Many, if not most, of the book’s pages include supplementary footnotes that explain everything from the evolution of the Sommos project (as the study is called) to details concerning brain activity and European Union politics. While the notes do add greatly to an understanding of what is happening on board the Event Horizon, readers will have to decide how best to approach them. They might want to read the notes page-by-page as they are presented, read each chapter’s narrative before reading that chapter’s footnotes, or even skip (something I do not recommend) the footnotes altogether.
Although I would have preferred an ending with more closure, Notes from a Coma is an intriguing novel that touches on many of the moral and ethical questions of the day. Mike McCormack is one to watch.
The book has a strange feel to it. Because it was written eight years ago, it is set in the recent past – but with just enough spin on that past to give the story a bit of a surrealistic science fiction feel. Largely character-driven, Notes from a Coma tells the story of JJ O’Malley, a young man characterized as “someone who is too smart for his own good but not smart enough to see that.”
Anthony O’Malley, a lonely Irish farmer, plucked JJ from a filthy Romanian orphanage not long after the overthrow of that country’s communist government. It was a relatively simple cash transaction (something that would haunt JJ’s self-esteem when he figured it out), and in a matter of days the naïve Irishman was back on the farm with his months-old son. And, with much help from a neighbor’s wife who had a young son of her own, the brilliant JJ O’Malley thrived in his new world.
JJ O’Malley is one of those students who have their teachers scrambling just to keep up with them, much less stay one step ahead. He fits in well, the community takes pride in him, and he has long-term girlfriend and a best friend he considers to be more his brother. Then one day JJ’s emotional security is devastated by a shocking loss that no one can help him work his way through. But when the young man ends up on a prison ship docked in nearby Killary Harbor, part of an ambitious medical experiment he has volunteered for, the town is still proud of him.
The European Penal Commission is looking for an alternative it can offer to first-time offenders being incarcerated for what it considers to be “less serious” crimes. Perhaps, placing these offenders into a deep coma under strict medical supervision for the duration of their sentences is the answer. JJ and his fellow volunteers are on the prison ship to test the theory.
Notes from a Coma is a story told simultaneously at two levels. Many, if not most, of the book’s pages include supplementary footnotes that explain everything from the evolution of the Sommos project (as the study is called) to details concerning brain activity and European Union politics. While the notes do add greatly to an understanding of what is happening on board the Event Horizon, readers will have to decide how best to approach them. They might want to read the notes page-by-page as they are presented, read each chapter’s narrative before reading that chapter’s footnotes, or even skip (something I do not recommend) the footnotes altogether.
Although I would have preferred an ending with more closure, Notes from a Coma is an intriguing novel that touches on many of the moral and ethical questions of the day. Mike McCormack is one to watch.
emmymk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
eily_may's review against another edition
4.0
Read this for my Irish literature book club. Not something I would have picked up normally, but delighted to have read it. Such an interesting idea. My one problem was the footnotes, challenging on a Kindle.
poppysmic's review
5.0
Mike McCormack became an instant favourite when I read Solar Bones, and Notes From A Coma is equally phenomenal.
This story is almost told in two parts. The first centres on JJ, a young man participating as an innocent “control” in an experiment in which prisoners are placed in a coma on a ship floating off the coast of Ireland. He volunteers to “take his mind off his mind” after a suffering a breakdown. We learn about his circumstances—his adoption, his brilliant mind, a traumatic experience—from those close to him, such as his father, his teacher, and his girlfriend.
The second, and the more sci-fi element, is told through footnotes that often span several pages. We learn about the nature of the experiment through these notes, explained as though from an involved scientist.
Despite hearing about him through second-hand accounts, I felt JJ’s character (as were they all) was compelling and sympathetic. I loved the choice of narration that held him at arm’s length; the reader feels like one of the many ‘fans’ watching this experiment unfold, piecing together the life of this unusual, fascinating young man.
This story is almost told in two parts. The first centres on JJ, a young man participating as an innocent “control” in an experiment in which prisoners are placed in a coma on a ship floating off the coast of Ireland. He volunteers to “take his mind off his mind” after a suffering a breakdown. We learn about his circumstances—his adoption, his brilliant mind, a traumatic experience—from those close to him, such as his father, his teacher, and his girlfriend.
The second, and the more sci-fi element, is told through footnotes that often span several pages. We learn about the nature of the experiment through these notes, explained as though from an involved scientist.
Despite hearing about him through second-hand accounts, I felt JJ’s character (as were they all) was compelling and sympathetic. I loved the choice of narration that held him at arm’s length; the reader feels like one of the many ‘fans’ watching this experiment unfold, piecing together the life of this unusual, fascinating young man.
chlooee's review
4.0
i loved the characters. despite the length, they were throughly developed and felt genuine. could give or take the footnotes, but the concept was definitely intriguing.
daisymerolling's review against another edition
4.0
*won through Goodreads giveaway*
This book is very peculiar. Hard to read at times, especially with the footnotes which could be a bit distracting but at the same time helpful, as it gives insight to the SOMNOS project. It's one of those books which you have to read more then once in order to fully grasp everything that is being said. The novel is told through different character's POV which each give a different perspective and accounts to who JJ O'Malley is, who is a very interesting character. I personally liked this book even though it gets a bit confusing at times but I will definitely re-read it some time to further understand the book. I would definitely recommend people to give this book a chance!
This book is very peculiar. Hard to read at times, especially with the footnotes which could be a bit distracting but at the same time helpful, as it gives insight to the SOMNOS project. It's one of those books which you have to read more then once in order to fully grasp everything that is being said. The novel is told through different character's POV which each give a different perspective and accounts to who JJ O'Malley is, who is a very interesting character. I personally liked this book even though it gets a bit confusing at times but I will definitely re-read it some time to further understand the book. I would definitely recommend people to give this book a chance!
ellodees's review against another edition
5.0
Classic example as science fiction as social commentary, set in Ireland. Wonderfully written. A great example of Irish storytelling.
loganmedrano's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Vomit
craykrae's review
3.0
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. The storyline enticed me, but I wish that the footnotes were instead sections within the book, or just within the text itself. I didn’t really lose my spot all too often, but the readability of the main text in combination with the scientific language of the footnotes definitely frustrated me at times. I also would have been more interested in learning more about the coma research and process earlier on, as leaving it towards the end of the book felt slightly rushed. While this book is readable, enjoyable and philosophical, I felt as though it built up to an ending that touched the surface of an extended story that should perhaps be considered.