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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This book is a serious heavy weight of thought, history, life, art, love, oppression, magnified "what ifs" and the physical weight of this book matches the emotional weight it carries within its pages.
I found myself connected to the main character Archie Ferguson in more ways than one. Ironically. the story is told from the perspective of four different versions or what if paths Archies life could have taken. Throughout all of them I found some part of him to relate to whether it a personality characteristic, a thought he possessed or simply a hobby he thoroughly enjoyed.
I lived the history as he lived in through the details the author provides. What an amazing, tumultuous era Archie lived in and what a keen perspective he carried throughout the novel.
Truth be told, I've never read any Paul Auster's books before (gasp!) But I will read more of his writing after reading this!
I was inspired and exalted about being in the field of education as he raises us intellectuals up unto a pedestal in this novel. I felt through this character more and more proud of my intellectualism and throughout the readings I found myself less hidden about my thirst for knowledge. This book has made it into my top ten favorite books of all time. Well done Mr. Auster, well done.
**Anyone reading this review, serious tip; take notes to keep up with the varying life lines. It's almost necessary to keep track of the connections throughout. ****
I found myself connected to the main character Archie Ferguson in more ways than one. Ironically. the story is told from the perspective of four different versions or what if paths Archies life could have taken. Throughout all of them I found some part of him to relate to whether it a personality characteristic, a thought he possessed or simply a hobby he thoroughly enjoyed.
I lived the history as he lived in through the details the author provides. What an amazing, tumultuous era Archie lived in and what a keen perspective he carried throughout the novel.
Truth be told, I've never read any Paul Auster's books before (gasp!) But I will read more of his writing after reading this!
I was inspired and exalted about being in the field of education as he raises us intellectuals up unto a pedestal in this novel. I felt through this character more and more proud of my intellectualism and throughout the readings I found myself less hidden about my thirst for knowledge. This book has made it into my top ten favorite books of all time. Well done Mr. Auster, well done.
**Anyone reading this review, serious tip; take notes to keep up with the varying life lines. It's almost necessary to keep track of the connections throughout. ****
This book has 4 different coming of age versions of the main character's life. In all versions, Ferguson is an intelligent, avid reader who loves baseball and basketball and is coming of age in the late 1960s. Ferguson is a thoughtful, kind, and loving person, who puts a lot of thought into living an ethical life. It's not the Sliding Doors type of story where one decision at a pivotal point in life changes Ferguson's life drastically. It's much more subtle than that, and I deeply appreciated that aspect. Auster's writing is mesmerizing and rich in detail and of a period that I have always been fascinated with. I especially enjoyed reading Ferguson's writing in excerpts of his short stories and novellas. I will definitely pick up another Paul Auster book (hopefully they aren't all almost 900 pages long). I am not able to put to explain why right now, but his writing really resonated with me.
This is worth reading--and considering that it's 800 pages, I don't say that lightly. It goes surprisingly fast, considering its length, and every world feels rich and deeply lived in. I will admit that it drags some at the end, but that doesn't negate its other merits. Especially for other writers, it's an ambitious accomplishment of a book to analyze, which I do here: https://www.emirengoff.com/blog/book-report-4321
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is no sugarcoating this, 4321 was a beast to read, and at times felt like a slog, but it was well worth it in the end. As others have noted, the novel is almost like Auster's master thesis on how seemingly insignificant influences shape our lives and the people we become and the power of each small choice in determining our path.
There were parts I felt could have been slightly edited, but as a whole, there were very few moments of dialogue or character development that I could have done without. My main point of contention, however, was with the problematic and somewhat flat development of the female charaters thoroughout the story. I suppose that should be expected when the story is marketed as that of a mid-century male teen. I also felt all versions of Archie's views of women and sex were consistantly problematic, and I would have appreciated seeing some variation in those traits across the Archies.
There were parts I felt could have been slightly edited, but as a whole, there were very few moments of dialogue or character development that I could have done without. My main point of contention, however, was with the problematic and somewhat flat development of the female charaters thoroughout the story. I suppose that should be expected when the story is marketed as that of a mid-century male teen. I also felt all versions of Archie's views of women and sex were consistantly problematic, and I would have appreciated seeing some variation in those traits across the Archies.
The audiobook, as read by Paul Auster, was thoroughly enjoyable and hypnotizing. 4 3 2 1 is essentially four coming of age tales in one package, with each Ferguson clearly defined from the other. I most enjoyed how Auster wove historically significant moments in to the various lives of Ferguson. Sadly, it’s a wonderful reminder that even though we think we are living through difficult times, things have always been shit. In particular, the .3 chapters and any time spent in Paris were my favorites.
such an interesting premise. about 309 pages too long
This is the most remarkable book I’ve read in a very long time. Just start. You won’t want to stop.
I wanted to love this, and maybe if I could've read it without interruptions I would have. It became an uphill climb.
Cómo me ha costado acabarlo!! La historia empieza bien, situándonos en la vida del protagonista desde los inicios de su familia, pero conforme vas pasando las páginas, resulta difícil saber en qué historia estás de las 4 posibles, y más si, como ha sido mi caso, lo dejaba 3 o 4 días. Qué lío! Le hubiese dado 3 estrellas pero creo que a pesar de la confusión constante, está muy bien escrito. La idea no era mala, pero podría haberse ahorrado 200 páginas o más. Y para trasladar la idea, con 2 o 3 historias en paralelo hubiese sido suficiente...