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smelendez's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
makeshiftstar's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
2.0
annamickreads's review
3.0
I had a hard time trying to rate this book because I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be taking away from it. The “thriller” parts, in my opinion, arrive mostly at the very end, with the rest of the book almost reading as a very short exploration of character.
Also explored in this book: perception/point of view/how we view art and what makes it art through the …lens… of punk photography. I learned a lot I didn’t know before! Our main character, Cass Neary, is exceptionally rough around the edges, but not without good reason (and don’t you dare pity her, either.) She’s definitely not the most reliable of narrators but I also found her narration shockingly honest. She’s not ashamed to run herself into the ground but she’s also good at heart where it counts.
What I appreciated most about this novel was honestly a lot about the setting. The majority of “Generation Loss” takes place on a remote island off of Maine, and I think that also adds to the uneasy or haunting atmosphere.
TL;DR: neat!
Also explored in this book: perception/point of view/how we view art and what makes it art through the …lens… of punk photography. I learned a lot I didn’t know before! Our main character, Cass Neary, is exceptionally rough around the edges, but not without good reason (and don’t you dare pity her, either.) She’s definitely not the most reliable of narrators but I also found her narration shockingly honest. She’s not ashamed to run herself into the ground but she’s also good at heart where it counts.
What I appreciated most about this novel was honestly a lot about the setting. The majority of “Generation Loss” takes place on a remote island off of Maine, and I think that also adds to the uneasy or haunting atmosphere.
TL;DR: neat!
sandygx260's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a bit is a stumble for EH. Superior to most other author's work but not up to her usual inventiveness.
somanybookstoread's review against another edition
2.0
This book didn't do much for me other than irritate me. Isn't writing 101 to create a protagonist that readers care about and/or identify with? This protagonist was a shady drug addict, so I had a hard time motivating myself to keep turning the pages. Furthermore, the plot was just strange for the sake of strange and didn't even end up being coherent in the end. Finally, I found a half dozen typos which made me cringe and reeked of self-publication.
squirrelallie's review against another edition
4.0
Just finished the first three Cass Neary books back-to-back.
Premise: Cass is a film photographer whose 15 minutes were squandered back in the 70s, so she spends her time drinking and taking speed. The plots seem secondary to the character, who would much rather drink whiskey & talk darkroom techniques than continually trip over bodies.
Tagline: Come for the incredible explanation of T-Max v. Tri-X, stay to watch everyone get annoyed when Cass get drunk & implicates herself in multiple homicides again.
Series:
Book 1: "Generation Loss"
Theme: Forgotten, sloughed-off, and obsolete people.
Soundtrack: 70s grit punk rock
Book 2: "Available Dark"
Theme: Metalheads might sacrifice a person or two but are generally affable.
Companion book: "Lords of Chaos."
Soundtrack: Venom, Bathory
Book 3: "Hard Light"
Theme: Hippies continue to ruin everything.
Soundtrack: Noir-ish jazz?
Premise: Cass is a film photographer whose 15 minutes were squandered back in the 70s, so she spends her time drinking and taking speed. The plots seem secondary to the character, who would much rather drink whiskey & talk darkroom techniques than continually trip over bodies.
Tagline: Come for the incredible explanation of T-Max v. Tri-X, stay to watch everyone get annoyed when Cass get drunk & implicates herself in multiple homicides again.
Series:
Book 1: "Generation Loss"
Theme: Forgotten, sloughed-off, and obsolete people.
Soundtrack: 70s grit punk rock
Book 2: "Available Dark"
Theme: Metalheads might sacrifice a person or two but are generally affable.
Companion book: "Lords of Chaos."
Soundtrack: Venom, Bathory
Book 3: "Hard Light"
Theme: Hippies continue to ruin everything.
Soundtrack: Noir-ish jazz?
kgwens's review
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
emckeon1002's review against another edition
4.0
You want dark. This is dark. Hand is an amazing writer, exploring the beauty some artists find in the darkest reaches of the soul. Photographer Cass Neary who found temporary fame in her exploration of the NY punk scene is drawn to mid-coast Maine to interview a photographer who inspired her. What she finds in Maine is no less dark and gritty than what she experienced on the streets of New York. A mystery, of sorts, the book explores the artistic process and the appeal of art which explores the black heart of truth. Hand treads this ground brilliantly and most compellingly. Scary, disturbing, beautiful and un-put-downable.
kyledhebert's review against another edition
2.0
Its great to see the origin of Cass Neary, but Geneartion Loss meanders for far too long before racing through its final act.
seshat59's review against another edition
1.0
Well, that's finished. It's sad that those are my cumulative thoughts about this reading experience. I debated multiple times throughout the novel whether I should just forsake the rest and move on to a different book, but my stubbornness and immense dislike of not finishing books held me to the course.
I loved Elizabeth Hand's Mortal Love when I read it a few years ago; it inspired me to buy this novel, and it's been lurking in my Kindle's TBR "pile" ever since. I was dubious about starting it and I can see that my gut was correct.
Initially, I was wooed by Hand's narrative skill: the protagonist, Cass Neary, is one damaged, borderline insane person. While her history does make her somewhat sympathetic, her recurrent actions destroy that sympathy. I came to dislike her. Immensely. All her actions -- save the somewhat accidental good deed at the end of the book -- are despicable. There was no real character growth, and the whole time I was looking for some character I might relate to. There are few to none. Like the setting, the characters are bleak. The metaphors are still pretty nice; that I was able to appreciate.
If I were to be as objective as possible, I can concede that not everyone is supposed to get this art medium. It's dark. It's bleak. Obviously, that's not my forte, but I can appreciate Hand pushing the envelope and creating such a gritty character with such... dark artistic propensities that do make us question what art is and is not -- and who can create that art.
Towards the end, I skimmed. I was desperate to be rid of Cass and to be finished with her story. Apparently, there are more books with her. Who would ever want to revisit her messed up life? Certainly, not me.
1.5 stars.
I loved Elizabeth Hand's Mortal Love when I read it a few years ago; it inspired me to buy this novel, and it's been lurking in my Kindle's TBR "pile" ever since. I was dubious about starting it and I can see that my gut was correct.
Initially, I was wooed by Hand's narrative skill: the protagonist, Cass Neary, is one damaged, borderline insane person. While her history does make her somewhat sympathetic, her recurrent actions destroy that sympathy. I came to dislike her. Immensely. All her actions -- save the somewhat accidental good deed at the end of the book -- are despicable. There was no real character growth, and the whole time I was looking for some character I might relate to. There are few to none. Like the setting, the characters are bleak. The metaphors are still pretty nice; that I was able to appreciate.
If I were to be as objective as possible, I can concede that not everyone is supposed to get this art medium. It's dark. It's bleak. Obviously, that's not my forte, but I can appreciate Hand pushing the envelope and creating such a gritty character with such... dark artistic propensities that do make us question what art is and is not -- and who can create that art.
Towards the end, I skimmed. I was desperate to be rid of Cass and to be finished with her story. Apparently, there are more books with her. Who would ever want to revisit her messed up life? Certainly, not me.
1.5 stars.