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anya_logue's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
notaturnip's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful, strange book. I'm not going to pretend that the story made a whole lot of sense in places, or that the ending was particularly satisfying, but Eggers' prose is eeriely gorgeous. Even when the subject matter is confusing, he has a way of piecing it all together that makes the confusion okay.
isaacsmi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sam_stauffer's review against another edition
2.0
Bleh. I am a huge Dave Eggers fan and this was just not my favorite. Yes, it offers insightful commentary on the economic collapse of 2008, but I had such a hard time connecting with the main character that by the end I was happy to be done with him and on to the next book on my list.
Overall a 2.5.
Overall a 2.5.
ttodd86's review against another edition
3.0
Coming into this book an Eggers fan, maybe my expectations were too high. The setting and idea are good, but I would have preferred more a little more nuance, maybe?
We get it: the U.S. economy is struggling, our jobs are going overseas and China is a rising economic power. You are showing us that (we are living that) you don't need to have Alan recall conversations with his blue collar father to make sure we understand -- your readers are smarter than that.
The main premise of this book could have made a very strong short story built out of one of the set pieces.
We get it: the U.S. economy is struggling, our jobs are going overseas and China is a rising economic power. You are showing us that (we are living that) you don't need to have Alan recall conversations with his blue collar father to make sure we understand -- your readers are smarter than that.
The main premise of this book could have made a very strong short story built out of one of the set pieces.
kprysmiki's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
foonislin's review against another edition
2.0
If you want a book where a 50+ man does nothing but think about his life, this is for you.
i liked the side characters better than the main one.
i liked the side characters better than the main one.
teresaalice's review against another edition
1.0
What the fuck kind of waste of time was that? It's been a long time since I've read a book that made me angry that I spent my precious time on it, but this book was it. The wholly unlikeable protagonist goes through a mid life crisis while in Saudi Arabia. Besides this annoying man, all other characters are one dimensional and terrible, and according to this book, all middle aged women are hungry cougars. I have loved Dave Eggers books in the past - even fantasizes about him as my writer in residence (if you know what I mean), but that was truly horrible.
tonyleachsf's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed it. A bit Phillip Roth-y. Overall a downer but a nice read.