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samwreads's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, with some reservations. It is very long, and does fall apart a bit under its own weight as things move on. More of an issue for me, however, was the highly stylized prose which, while occasionally hilarious, did get to be cloying after I read the same tone for the same character the 100th time.
Another thing I struggled with was the extreme violence exhibited throughout the book. Not only that, but the lack of empathy displayed by pretty much every character in regard to the suffering of others. While some characters were innately evil or just blindly obedient to another person (Wayne) or ideology (Mr. White), other characters were almost universally brought to a point where they chose to abandon what I hope would be considered normal ethical behavior. By the end they all just seem to be automatons, big or small. This may go along with the "bright and risen angels" conceit, and if so it's impressively done but I do not personally care to read about lifeless characters for 600+ pages.
So while I was extremely impressed by the erudition and imagination on display, I would not say that this book has much heart. I do look forward to reading more by Vollmann as I see a lot of potential in his writing.
Another thing I struggled with was the extreme violence exhibited throughout the book. Not only that, but the lack of empathy displayed by pretty much every character in regard to the suffering of others. While some characters were innately evil or just blindly obedient to another person (Wayne) or ideology (Mr. White), other characters were almost universally brought to a point where they chose to abandon what I hope would be considered normal ethical behavior. By the end they all just seem to be automatons, big or small. This may go along with the "bright and risen angels" conceit, and if so it's impressively done but I do not personally care to read about lifeless characters for 600+ pages.
So while I was extremely impressed by the erudition and imagination on display, I would not say that this book has much heart. I do look forward to reading more by Vollmann as I see a lot of potential in his writing.
michaeldebonis's review against another edition
3.0
I actually never finished this...but I came damn close. I really liked what I did read but this was just too bulky and convoluted to read on my commute so I gave up. I would consider picking it up again but I think I would rather try another of his mammoth works.
slothroptightpants's review against another edition
3.0
Interspersed with absolute mind bogglingly genius, an immature lack of control, and a penchant for turning absurdity intensely boring, Vollman's first novel is about as frustrating and enlightening as any piece of experimental fiction.
niftypifty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-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
5.0
stewreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
bomsen's review against another edition
4.0
Vollmann describes this novel as a cartoon allegory. This certainly seems to be accurate with how the novel read to me personally. Characters are colorful, funny, exaggerated, and weird. The characters also seem to always be resurrected, to live another day, to reappear in the next episode. It is also accurate to describe the novel as an allegory, because it rhymes so seamlessly with the antagonisms that are so present in our history and contemporary world: hate and love, electricity and nature, reaction and revolution.
You Bright and Risen Angels is a highly imaginative and inventive piece of maximalist American fiction. It has two (really three) narrators, that are constantly at each other throats, and who present very different worlds and plot-lines and ideas. The layout of the text is clunky, technical and purposely jumbled; reading the novel feels like navigating an internet blog of interconnected hyperlinks.
Vollmann is a highly intelligent writer, and it shows in this debut novel, but there is not writing genius present here. The writing is sharp and funny and striking, but not breathtaking. Here I am talking purely of sentences and words and passages. Vollmann has not seemed to create the tapestry necessary to blow his reader away with beautiful formulations, in the same way that say the Pynchon’s and DeLillo’s of Vollmann’s generation has.
In addition, Vollmann’s interspersed incel-diaries are somewhat off-putting. I have no idea what he was thinking when he wrote those parts about Clara, but they are kind of weird and creepy, and I’m not sure if it was Vollmann himself venting his love-life frustrations over to the novel, or whether it was purely a novelistic construction.
In essence though, I really enjoyed this novel. It was highly entertaining, challenging, and I think a great teaser to what Vollmann might be capable of in the future. I have Fathers and Crows and The Rifles on my shelf, and I am planning to get through both during the summer.
You Bright and Risen Angels is a highly imaginative and inventive piece of maximalist American fiction. It has two (really three) narrators, that are constantly at each other throats, and who present very different worlds and plot-lines and ideas. The layout of the text is clunky, technical and purposely jumbled; reading the novel feels like navigating an internet blog of interconnected hyperlinks.
Vollmann is a highly intelligent writer, and it shows in this debut novel, but there is not writing genius present here. The writing is sharp and funny and striking, but not breathtaking. Here I am talking purely of sentences and words and passages. Vollmann has not seemed to create the tapestry necessary to blow his reader away with beautiful formulations, in the same way that say the Pynchon’s and DeLillo’s of Vollmann’s generation has.
In addition, Vollmann’s interspersed incel-diaries are somewhat off-putting. I have no idea what he was thinking when he wrote those parts about Clara, but they are kind of weird and creepy, and I’m not sure if it was Vollmann himself venting his love-life frustrations over to the novel, or whether it was purely a novelistic construction.
In essence though, I really enjoyed this novel. It was highly entertaining, challenging, and I think a great teaser to what Vollmann might be capable of in the future. I have Fathers and Crows and The Rifles on my shelf, and I am planning to get through both during the summer.
freewaygods's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs