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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Thomas King is a literary genius.
This book is several stories that are woven together perfectly, in a way that is absolute artistic brilliance.
As with most of King's books, you need to allow for artistic license and just go with the flow, trusting that it will all make sense in the end. This book starts off choppy, with small segments about many different characters that you come to find the connections between as you read. It will not immediately be clear what is happening, but the clever humor kept me invested until I had a storyline I could follow.
If you are a fan of Thomas King like I am, this is a fantastic throwback to some of his earlier work that is worth picking up.
This book is several stories that are woven together perfectly, in a way that is absolute artistic brilliance.
As with most of King's books, you need to allow for artistic license and just go with the flow, trusting that it will all make sense in the end. This book starts off choppy, with small segments about many different characters that you come to find the connections between as you read. It will not immediately be clear what is happening, but the clever humor kept me invested until I had a storyline I could follow.
If you are a fan of Thomas King like I am, this is a fantastic throwback to some of his earlier work that is worth picking up.
Thomas King is basically a genius. This book is full of layers. It reminds me a lot of Catch 22. Political with humour and a strong message.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
For the first few pages I was worried that things were all over the place, but once I got the hang of the characters the story really took shape.
There is so much subtle humor throughout this whole novel I'm sure I probably missed half of it! The only reason I'm ever thankful for my Catholic upbringing is that I can understand the references in books like this one. The writing is extremely clever and the story fresh and new. Can definitely see a re-read in a few years.
There is so much subtle humor throughout this whole novel I'm sure I probably missed half of it! The only reason I'm ever thankful for my Catholic upbringing is that I can understand the references in books like this one. The writing is extremely clever and the story fresh and new. Can definitely see a re-read in a few years.
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Great book, and easily a new favorite!
King uses a different format of the novel to challenge the way we've come to expect a novel to flow. Initially there were plenty of moments when you could find yourself wondering why the storylines are so fragmented. However, they are really woven together in a way that by the end of the novel everything really feels like it fell into its proper place -- at least, for now. The characters' lives mingle with one another in such bizarre and interesting ways it's hard to find yourself bored. In addition, there isn't really one "main" set of characters. We have a "normal" set of characters living their lives; Alberta, Lionel, and Eli are just a few. Then, on what I'd call the "supernatural" level are mythic characters from Indian oral traditions, such as Old Woman and First Woman, who encounter various Biblical figures as the novel progresses. And then there is the "narrative" level, which includes the infamous Coyote and an unnamed Narrator, who both struggle with one another to keep the overall story intact and understandable. It all sounds like a lot to take in, but Thomas King does such a great job of keeping the narrative levels in order that it hardly takes any time at all before you've gotten used to all the different characters and plotlines. (This is no Game of Thrones-like number of confusing characters -- the Narrator here acknowledges the reader and cares about making sure we follow the story!)
The book has a little of everything; irony, humor, supernatural elements, diverse characters, and even some criticism/comparisons of Indian and Christian religions and ways of life. King merges the techniques of oral and written storytelling traditions. This is partially done simply by the format of the story; it jumps around between characters and stories at times, almost as if the Narrator is remembering random details as they tell it (much like I do when telling any kind of story). King also merges the oral and written by the mingling of traditional Indian characters with characters from western literature. These characters then interact with one another, not only on the supernatural level, but also on the everyday, normal level of those characters such as Alberta.
If I had to sum up the book in one sentence, I'd say this: Green Grass, Running Water is a never-ending adventure. Seriously, go check it out.
King uses a different format of the novel to challenge the way we've come to expect a novel to flow. Initially there were plenty of moments when you could find yourself wondering why the storylines are so fragmented. However, they are really woven together in a way that by the end of the novel everything really feels like it fell into its proper place -- at least, for now. The characters' lives mingle with one another in such bizarre and interesting ways it's hard to find yourself bored. In addition, there isn't really one "main" set of characters. We have a "normal" set of characters living their lives; Alberta, Lionel, and Eli are just a few. Then, on what I'd call the "supernatural" level are mythic characters from Indian oral traditions, such as Old Woman and First Woman, who encounter various Biblical figures as the novel progresses. And then there is the "narrative" level, which includes the infamous Coyote and an unnamed Narrator, who both struggle with one another to keep the overall story intact and understandable. It all sounds like a lot to take in, but Thomas King does such a great job of keeping the narrative levels in order that it hardly takes any time at all before you've gotten used to all the different characters and plotlines. (This is no Game of Thrones-like number of confusing characters -- the Narrator here acknowledges the reader and cares about making sure we follow the story!)
The book has a little of everything; irony, humor, supernatural elements, diverse characters, and even some criticism/comparisons of Indian and Christian religions and ways of life. King merges the techniques of oral and written storytelling traditions. This is partially done simply by the format of the story; it jumps around between characters and stories at times, almost as if the Narrator is remembering random details as they tell it (much like I do when telling any kind of story). King also merges the oral and written by the mingling of traditional Indian characters with characters from western literature. These characters then interact with one another, not only on the supernatural level, but also on the everyday, normal level of those characters such as Alberta.
If I had to sum up the book in one sentence, I'd say this: Green Grass, Running Water is a never-ending adventure. Seriously, go check it out.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes