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j04nna's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mimima's review against another edition
3.0
There are two parts to this novel that are very hard to reconcile.
The first element is an amazing fiction (it was contemporary at the time it was written, although now I'd consider it historical fiction) filled with religious imagery, fabulous thoughts on the Red Scare, the effect of a treason charge on the children of the person, our government's culpability, and the legal process. I'd give this part of the novel 4 stars
The second part was that this novel is extremely cruel, violent, and misogynistic. This part gets a star, maybe.
How do you reconcile the two? Judicious skimming is definitely recommended.
The first element is an amazing fiction (it was contemporary at the time it was written, although now I'd consider it historical fiction) filled with religious imagery, fabulous thoughts on the Red Scare, the effect of a treason charge on the children of the person, our government's culpability, and the legal process. I'd give this part of the novel 4 stars
The second part was that this novel is extremely cruel, violent, and misogynistic. This part gets a star, maybe.
How do you reconcile the two? Judicious skimming is definitely recommended.
johnnygamble's review against another edition
4.0
So, I have matured since my first reading of this, I guess. Two stars doesn't cut it. I can now accept, and appreciate rule-breaking literature, communist-leaning literature, non-linear prose. The book is terrific and I didn't notice it the first time around, or else I was blinded because it wasn't Ragtime.
mc900ft's review against another edition
4.0
While moments of this book were ridiculously frustrating, perhaps that is the point. The style/form is absolutely captivating and forces you to be constantly engaged and focused. A difficult, but absolute worthy read.
micklesreads's review against another edition
5.0
I've rarely been upset by a book like I was by this one. The story is haunting, detailed, beautifully written and so so painful. After finishing this I immediately went to the library to get more of Doctorow.
dstuart's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect this book to reflect our current times as much as it did. Really powerful. A great bildungsroman, trying to find our way in this really, really weird time for america.
thefavoritenpc's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this novel. There were huge chunks I read eagerly, hanging on Doctorow's strange, disconnected prose. Then there were chunks that did nothing but ramble on about Communism. The final chapters were so touching a beautiful that I ALMOST gave this novel 4 stars, but a passing reference to desired incest (for the millionth time) trumps that wonderful scene at Disneyland.