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brisingr's review against another edition
4.0
Really great writing style (which I expected) and a really intriguing narrative choice; the way the story was told was really unique and it made the whole reading experience so much more engaging. quite really enjoyed it, even if it's literally just president lincoln x the good place.
nealagrace's review against another edition
5.0
no bc this book was even better the second time around, mostly bc the first time you read it you kinda have to be content with being confused for a bit and because I knew what was going on this time around I got to appreciate it all a lot more. Like colson whitehead said, this book is “a luminous feat of generosity and humanism.” A creative feat as well. I sobbed AGAIN even though I knew what was happening. A magnificent, wonderful, and strange read. changed the way I think about books, about everything really. To me this is everything contemporary literature should do and should be. I love you mr George Saunders ❤️
aschmitty's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kaydot's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
shelbymarie516's review against another edition
3.0
2.75. This was like when I read Slaughterhouse Five and didn’t know what to expect and yet it was nothing like what I expected. Also I did the audio and with 166 voice actors this got a bit confusing. I knew about ten of the voice actors.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
I read this not long after it came out- actually, more accurately, I skimmed through it. Because I could not find a way in to the story. There were too many characters and it was confusing, all those snippets of other sources that would go on sometimes for pages without really adding much. At least not that was apparent to me. I can’t say I cared much for it.
This time I appreciated it more. I listened to about the first half of it on audiobook and that helped a lot since there are actual different voices to help distinguish the characters— oh yeah, that’s the David Sedaris character or the Nick Offerman character or Susan Sarandon. I still think there’s barely enough material here for a novella, maybe really just a longish short story. But I do appreciate much more on second reading the crazy creativity, the ingenious morphing of forms. Not an easy read but a worthwhile one.
This time I appreciated it more. I listened to about the first half of it on audiobook and that helped a lot since there are actual different voices to help distinguish the characters— oh yeah, that’s the David Sedaris character or the Nick Offerman character or Susan Sarandon. I still think there’s barely enough material here for a novella, maybe really just a longish short story. But I do appreciate much more on second reading the crazy creativity, the ingenious morphing of forms. Not an easy read but a worthwhile one.
zoilkn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
page_with_no_i's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating post-modern novel exploring the Civil War; guilt and innocence; and human connection.
katyifky's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25