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jackiedreadsbooks's review against another edition
1.75
People get old and life doesn't turn out how we hoped. Get in line!
The characters and message felt immature and obvious to a point where it gets repetitive and irritating. The characters feel inauthentic and shallow in a way that's difficult to describe. Even the drug problems and mental health issues seem very surface level if only because none are given the time and depth they would warrant. They feel like set pieces, not like complex humans.
It felt too long and it wasn't a long book. The hype on this one was confusing.
The characters and message felt immature and obvious to a point where it gets repetitive and irritating. The characters feel inauthentic and shallow in a way that's difficult to describe. Even the drug problems and mental health issues seem very surface level if only because none are given the time and depth they would warrant. They feel like set pieces, not like complex humans.
It felt too long and it wasn't a long book. The hype on this one was confusing.
mana_elena's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The person who recommended this book to me described it as "It's an easy read, not in the sense that it's simple but in the way that a conversation with someone you love is easy", and I think that's an excellent description for the book. I was intrigued by the fact that all but three chapters are written in third person, and about the choice for which characters got first person voice, and the strong effect of referring to one character as "you".
I also thought it was interesting how the character we are first introduced to forms the through line for the story and especially how our initial perspective of her affects the other stories she appears in, adding some dramatic irony to other people's opinions of her. The novel doesn't have a main character, strictly speaking, but she is the main character, as far as I'm concerned.
I personally found the second to last chapter a compelling "end" to the story, but I think the author felt it was necessary/honest to have it end the way that it did. I can see how it rounds out the perspectives shared in the book. As a personal preference, though, stories set in the near future break my suspension of disbelief. Egan's predictions for the 2020's are pretty good in many respects and I think suit the tone and message of the book, I just didn't like having to "learn" a new setting in the last chapter.
I also thought it was interesting how the character we are first introduced to forms the through line for the story and especially how our initial perspective of her affects the other stories she appears in, adding some dramatic irony to other people's opinions of her. The novel doesn't have a main character, strictly speaking, but she is the main character, as far as I'm concerned.
I personally found the second to last chapter a compelling "end" to the story, but I think the author felt it was necessary/honest to have it end the way that it did. I can see how it rounds out the perspectives shared in the book. As a personal preference, though, stories set in the near future break my suspension of disbelief. Egan's predictions for the 2020's are pretty good in many respects and I think suit the tone and message of the book, I just didn't like having to "learn" a new setting in the last chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Racism
abeplaut's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laura_302's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jamessnellv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
A Visit from the Goon Squad is a complex, often challenging narrative that puts you in the minds of some very troubled people. Its structure alone makes it remarkable, and impressed me greatly, but its real strength comes from its subtlety and the thoughtfulness and care with which it portrays its characters. It won’t be for everybody, but it will make you feel understood and perhaps encouraged when you’ve lost yourself in life.
juanjmorales's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mcdermottled's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amanda1793's review against another edition
1.0
So after reaching just about 25% of this book, I can honestly say that I'm not enjoying it, and I don't feel that forcing myself to read it is going to make me like this book any more.
I'm not enjoying the way the story is being told. I'm finding the flipping perspectives don't always have a clear voice, they aren't distinguished enough for me to get invested in the characters or their part in the book. The fact that the clear voice is lacking is seriously driving me nuts. If you're going to change the perspective, change it clearly!
There is a constant flip on the time line, past to present, to glimpses in the future... The on going constant flip that is present in not one but two aspects of the book is making this more and more difficult to invest my time and my reading enjoyment.
Overall, I feel bad about DNF'ing a Pulitzer Prize Winner, but I can't force myself to continue, when I can't invest anymore time into the headache I currently feel while trying to read it. The chances of me retuning to this book is not likely.
I'm not enjoying the way the story is being told. I'm finding the flipping perspectives don't always have a clear voice, they aren't distinguished enough for me to get invested in the characters or their part in the book. The fact that the clear voice is lacking is seriously driving me nuts. If you're going to change the perspective, change it clearly!
There is a constant flip on the time line, past to present, to glimpses in the future... The on going constant flip that is present in not one but two aspects of the book is making this more and more difficult to invest my time and my reading enjoyment.
Overall, I feel bad about DNF'ing a Pulitzer Prize Winner, but I can't force myself to continue, when I can't invest anymore time into the headache I currently feel while trying to read it. The chances of me retuning to this book is not likely.
mnmeg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This book is hyped up . . . which often leads to disappointment. The book was okay. It didn't suck me in, but I stuck with it - hoping it eventually would.
lavrendy's review against another edition
4.0
Things I want to remember about this book:
- Intriguing format where each chapter was from the perspective of a (seemingly) unimportant character from the last.
- I was amazed at how distinctly the writing style could shift for each of the characters without feeling corny or overdone
- Some of these characters are assholes and it’s hard to read the chapters from their perspectives.
- The last chapter took place in the future, with references to an entire dystopian world that I had zero interest in. Jarring and disappointing ending to a book I had really enjoyed up to that point.
- Intriguing format where each chapter was from the perspective of a (seemingly) unimportant character from the last.
- I was amazed at how distinctly the writing style could shift for each of the characters without feeling corny or overdone
- Some of these characters are assholes and it’s hard to read the chapters from their perspectives.
- The last chapter took place in the future, with references to an entire dystopian world that I had zero interest in. Jarring and disappointing ending to a book I had really enjoyed up to that point.