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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I was definitely on a rollercoaster of "I don't like this book" then a "oh, I do like this" back and forth til the end (which I did enjoy). I wanted more character development... more setting explanations... more reasonings for what was happening. GHOSTS??? Why wasn't it cooler?? I'm willing to read her other stuff though, I liked the way she wrote, just not this story....
3.5 stars. I liked this? Somehow? I'm not really sure - it was a little sci-fi and a little all over the place, but I could follow it well enough and like STATION ELEVEN, there were some passages I had to stop and reread just because they were so well-written! The "action" arc of this book felt unlike most others where it started off (ocean metaphor, sorry not sorry) at the crest of a wave, and then lapped along the shore for 298 pages. That's not exactly a BAD thing, but I'm glad someone else warned me of this halfway through, that it just kind of ends. I'll probably keep reading Mandel's books, but I realize they won't ever be OMG FAVORITES like they are for others.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this book really interesting at the beginning, but when it became about the Ponzi scheme it got really long and rather boring. Didn't enjoy finishing it off, which is a shame as I've enjoyed Mandel's other works.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
E SJ Mandel is the master of weaving characters through a central plot, moving them in and out seamlessly. I love her writing style. Vincent seems to be the central character but it's the Ponzi scheme or the idea of being adrift that guides/moves the characters and plot. I would love to have lunch with E SJ Mandel; I bet she's witty, clever, funny and her words would be crisp and clear, just like her writing.
slow-paced
This was a completely unexpected hidden gem! I read this randomly as a recommendation from my new friend who had just finished it, not knowing anything about it going into it. I have been pleasantly surprised. The book doesn't really have a plot, there is no real beginning, middle, end, neither a real protagonist either for that matter which does actually seem to work. It is more of a before and after of peoples lives in regards to Jonathan Alkaitis's ponzi scheme getting exposed and him going to prison, causing all of them to lose their life investments. The actual premise of this with the ponzi scheme and all the different business aspects would usually make for a dull story, however Mandel makes this such an engaging read. The chapters are short and the story continuously flows, each individual characters section flowing easily into the next persons. Vincent could be considered the main character throughout this because she does kindof interlink a lot of the characters. I think I did enjoy her sections the most because she seemed normal. I loved the authors descriptions of peoples views on life and the their reactions to events. It was such a good honest portrayal of humans and how we go about our lives. The glass hotel itself seemed beautiful. It's isolation from society seemed eerie yet idyllic. I think the only reason it lost one star is because I wouldn't really read it again, it didn't have any deep meanings or lessons within it. ALso, in the later chapters it references loads of characters from the start which is mostly really fun and clever how everything has been interlinked to this scheme, but also a little confusing at some points as I have to sit and try and remember who they were. Very good read and I really want to read another book by this author because of how brilliant her writing is, something I haven't experienced that much before!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hmm. So this is probably closer to a 4.5 but Goodreads doesn't believe in half stars and this met my requirement for how I envision 5 star books - they exemplify or modify my understanding of a genre and this book took me places. I don't know how I feel about some of the world building - I think it's okay that I didn't understand it and some of the things I thought were happening (and were really excited about) weren't in the end, but it still moved me, pressed me to "read on, read on!" late into the night, and I love the prose oh so deeply.