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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Very few writers have such a beautiful control over words as John Danielle does.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another long mountain goats song
It's hard to put my thoughts in order on this one.
I loved it. The end was abrupt and shocking.
The game, the world building - amazing. I definitely would have subscribed to his adventure.
I loved the writing and the narration. Sean's voice felt unique to me. I loved the little lines of brilliance and information - I hung on every page and read this all in one sitting. Loved it
I loved it. The end was abrupt and shocking.
The game, the world building - amazing. I definitely would have subscribed to his adventure.
I loved the writing and the narration. Sean's voice felt unique to me. I loved the little lines of brilliance and information - I hung on every page and read this all in one sitting. Loved it
Indie rock fans of a certain age might know John Darnielle better as the frontman of (or the solo act known as, depending on the era) The Mountain Goats. Wolf in White Van is his second work of fiction; he previously wrote a YA novel called Master of Reality about the Black Sabbath album for the 33⅓ series. Some readers of both say these two works tread on similar ground: troubled adolescents, heavy metal tapes. This one seems a little more developed and intricately woven. Read more on the booklog
I've been thinking about this a lot since I finished it. Appreciate it won't be for everyone, but I found it very powerful.
Not surprisingly given Darnielle's fabulous lyrics for the Mountain Goats, his novel is full of beautiful sentences and images. The protagonist was a nerd and loner in late 80s/early 90s high school, the kind of kid that played D&D and read scifi and listened to heavy metal - not someone I necessarily understand. I don't feel as if I understand a whole lot better at the end of this novel, but I don't think that was the point - the character doesn't understand either what happens to him.
I do think, however, that I won't easily forget Sean Phillips.
I do think, however, that I won't easily forget Sean Phillips.
John Darnielle does an excellent job of taking you inside the mind of his main character. And quite the mind it is. This book hooked me because it puts you right there with the memories and emotions of the main character, especially because the story is told in a strange reverse-type way. I would read this book a 2nd time. In fact, I almost immediately did. I knew Darnielle was a great musician, but I had no idea he was also a great novelist.
I really wanted to--and probably should have--liked this book a lot more than I did. There are beautiful moments throughout, I appreciated its quiet presentation of isolation and loneliness, the premise of the mail-in role playing game Trace Italian seems like such a promising idea, and the reveal of the accident was tantalizing. That being said, something about the book just didn't let me in, and I found myself not feeling in any way connected to the character or story. Honestly, part of it may have been the non-linear structure, of which I was not a fan. Anyway, this is a long and rambling way of saying--a little great at times, but overall just okay. Whomp whomp.
An odd book. A very good book. I am so intrigued by the main character. His experiences and motivations are still murky. Not the best book, but one that keeps me pondering.