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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
slow-paced
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman is a great book to study literature as explores and plays with genres of its time. However I would not recommend to anyone who reads to reach an end (for there is none) or for pleasure (you will be left confused for the majority of the text).
An author writes the fictional autobiography of a flibbertygibbet.
I should have loved this but didn't--historical humorous metafiction, what's not to love? It wore me out. You know how you want modern art to be done by someone who at least knows how to draw well? That. There is no method to the madness, only the endless, unclear, interwoven levels of rambling. "Look at the fools," says the clever writer behind it all. "Just look."
I should have loved this but didn't--historical humorous metafiction, what's not to love? It wore me out. You know how you want modern art to be done by someone who at least knows how to draw well? That. There is no method to the madness, only the endless, unclear, interwoven levels of rambling. "Look at the fools," says the clever writer behind it all. "Just look."
The best digression in the world. The spawn of postmodern literature. A million chapters and a million stories. Perfect.
challenging
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Beyond confounding, bizzare, and ludicrous. Did I comprehend half of what I read? No. Am I uncertain about what occured to who and when and why in this book? Yes. There were definitely moments I found to be compelling whether for (purely) entertainment's sake, or for the message being conveyed. But this was definitely tricky to get through.
DNF - felt waaay too much like an academic text with the constant footnotes and that really just put me off tbh.
I mean, the editors did warn that not all readers would be able to tolerate it... Life's too short to read this book.
But desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.
What a wonderfully imperfect and charming book. Tristram Shandy is about life in all its digressive, shapeless, chaotic glory. There's little to say beyond the fact that its lack of a clear narrative structure mirrors how life really unfolds. Life only coheres into some sort of recognisable, forward-moving experience with the benefit of hindsight. The messiness of Tristram's story is an analogue for the messiness of our own.
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
That was when my Uncle Toby, turning to me a piece of paper clutched in his hands, expounded briefly on this missive.
"They've reviewed the book!", said my Uncle Toby. "I have the review in my hands, and I shall read it..." at which point he was interrupted by Corporal Trim rattling the door handle. My Uncle Toby, lacking omniscience in regard to the opposite ride of the door, began to whistle half a dozen bars of Lillebullero to calm his nerves.
"Let's see what bounder is at the door!", said my Uncle Toby and gripping the handle stongly in his hand pulled hard sending Corporal Trim spinning across the thershold and depositing him on the floor.
"Afore I explain to you the contents of the review Corporal Trim", said my Unlce Toby. "I must first reminisce on the events of the Siege of Namur..."
Chapter 2
...
"They've reviewed the book!", said my Uncle Toby. "I have the review in my hands, and I shall read it..." at which point he was interrupted by Corporal Trim rattling the door handle. My Uncle Toby, lacking omniscience in regard to the opposite ride of the door, began to whistle half a dozen bars of Lillebullero to calm his nerves.
"Let's see what bounder is at the door!", said my Uncle Toby and gripping the handle stongly in his hand pulled hard sending Corporal Trim spinning across the thershold and depositing him on the floor.
"Afore I explain to you the contents of the review Corporal Trim", said my Unlce Toby. "I must first reminisce on the events of the Siege of Namur..."
Chapter 2
...
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced