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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I found this book tedious, which wasn't helped by the fact it's very long. Also, given the extent to which it is based on the Author's own life, a bit too self-congratulatory for me.
wenn ich in meinem leben nur fünf bücher weiterempfehlen dürfte, dann wäre das hier auf platz 2. einfach ein absolutes meisterwerk.
4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster shares the story of Jewish boy Archie Ferguson born in the late 1940s in New Jersey and four different paths his life can take. Each path that his life takes shows the unfolding and deterioration of different relationships, the growth of the interests and passions of young Ferguson, the navigation of different tragedies and challenges, and the development of Archie from a boy to a young man.
I found the book somewhat slow to start, but once the premise was set I found myself drawn into the different lives of Archie Ferguson and curious as to how each path would unfold and add to his growth and development in each life; would his love from one life be pursued in another, would friendships endure, would family ties be strengthened or severed? It was a creatively told story of love, loss, friendship, family, and the journey into the person Archie Ferguson wants to be.
However, I found the last quarter of the book to be dry and uneventful compared to the rest of the story and felt that there were numerous times where his attention to detail detracted from the overall story. I did not particularly care for how the author chose to wrap up the novel; it drew conclusion to the four different story lines and allowed them to merge into one, but it felt bland. He also wrote many sentences throughout the book that were excessively long and felt distracting.
His writing style takes some getting used to, but once the reader grows accustomed to it the story draws the reader in. Keeping a list of characters or a timeline of events for each of the four lives might be beneficial for some readers to follow the various story lines better, as there are many aspects of his different lives that are similar and can make distinguishing between each life challenging. The attention to detail contributes to the length of the novel and therefore may not suit readers who are looking for a book that has a faster pace.
I found the book somewhat slow to start, but once the premise was set I found myself drawn into the different lives of Archie Ferguson and curious as to how each path would unfold and add to his growth and development in each life; would his love from one life be pursued in another, would friendships endure, would family ties be strengthened or severed? It was a creatively told story of love, loss, friendship, family, and the journey into the person Archie Ferguson wants to be.
However, I found the last quarter of the book to be dry and uneventful compared to the rest of the story and felt that there were numerous times where his attention to detail detracted from the overall story. I did not particularly care for how the author chose to wrap up the novel; it drew conclusion to the four different story lines and allowed them to merge into one, but it felt bland. He also wrote many sentences throughout the book that were excessively long and felt distracting.
His writing style takes some getting used to, but once the reader grows accustomed to it the story draws the reader in. Keeping a list of characters or a timeline of events for each of the four lives might be beneficial for some readers to follow the various story lines better, as there are many aspects of his different lives that are similar and can make distinguishing between each life challenging. The attention to detail contributes to the length of the novel and therefore may not suit readers who are looking for a book that has a faster pace.
so many words...if you can get past that, it is a somewhat interesting read. A lot of history as well as a great family narrative. The different timelines got a little confusing and I had to go back and figure out who was who, but all in all, I would recommend this book.
Auster osaa todella kirjoittaa lukuromaanin neljä kertaa samoihin kansiin! Ihailtavan hyvin pysyy pakka kasassa koko liberaalin boomerin 1141 sivun kasvutarinan ajan. Amerikan historian lisäksi tuli (jälleen vrt. aiempi tuotanto) käytyä läpi Manhattanin länsilaitaa kadun tarkkuudella ja meikämandala otin esiin Google Mapsin. Välillä on tylsää, mutta yleensä ei, ja matskua riittää kuin 2020-luvun tv-sarjoissa. Lopuksi koko tarina vedetään uskomattoman nätisti kasaan.
Valitettavasti Auster jättää vapaan tahdon ja determinismin ongelman käsittelemättä lähes kokonaan muutamaa Pangloss-viittausta ja rahan perimisen mainitsemista lukuunottamatta, vaikka rakenne suorastaan kerjäisi sitä.
Valitettavasti Auster jättää vapaan tahdon ja determinismin ongelman käsittelemättä lähes kokonaan muutamaa Pangloss-viittausta ja rahan perimisen mainitsemista lukuunottamatta, vaikka rakenne suorastaan kerjäisi sitä.
It was a challenging book to listen to. The author performs the book himself, admirably, but the premise is harder to follow in the audiobook. Which Archie? Oh, yeah, that Archie. I loved how vividly each setting is depicted, and how much love the author clearly had for his characters (especially Archie, every Archie, of course). A well-written journey (well, multiple journeys).
I also didn't finish this one, but I did quite enjoy it! I might check Wikipedia to see what happens in each of the plot-lines. It was fun, but definitely a self-indulgent exercise, without enough momentum to carry me through to the end.
Hard to describe, but this novel was fascinating. Emotionally challenging, to stick with the various (4 young male) narrators through some vividly painful scenes. Complex development of at least half a dozen characters; ingenious plot device. Ultimately, however, I found it unsatisfying, which is why I give it 4 rather than 5 stars. My enjoyment at the end was less than at the beginning or the middle...
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes