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subvino's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well-written and I loved the premise. The ending wasn't wholly unpredictable (I basically had it pieced together a little over 2/3 through and I'm no genius), but I enjoyed watching the protagonist slowly come to grips with it. I'm writing a short review mostly addressing the criticism I've seen for this book because that same criticism put me off of this book for a few years and now that I've finished it, I'm mad I waited this long to give it a shot.
I agree with the criticism of some of the dialogue being unnatural, but if I'm being honest, I OFTEN feel like dialogue reads as unnatural in a lot of the books I read, especially if the author is verbose or otherwise descriptive. To me, the writing elsewhere in the book makes up for it. Another critique I've seen is that it's overly literary and inaccessible. I liked how all the references tied in to the format of the story and as you read, it all feeds into the characters of Blue and Gareth. It felt apt, and not over my head in any way.
A lot of reviews I've read were saying how this was much worse than Night Film - I read Night Film first and I have to say I liked this a lot more. I was much more easily submerged into the world painted by Pessl in this work versus Night Film, and I didn't hate the characters like I did in Night Film. It can be frustrating watching Blue stumble around the truth for a while, but remember, this book is about a naive teenager that is quite sheltered, despite her intelligence.
Finally, a large amount of reviews mentioned being bitter about the author being young and pretty and getting an advance for this book... say what? Ouch. Not sure of the relevance there. Maybe leave that chip in your shoulder out of your review, fellow random Goodread-ers.
I agree with the criticism of some of the dialogue being unnatural, but if I'm being honest, I OFTEN feel like dialogue reads as unnatural in a lot of the books I read, especially if the author is verbose or otherwise descriptive. To me, the writing elsewhere in the book makes up for it. Another critique I've seen is that it's overly literary and inaccessible. I liked how all the references tied in to the format of the story and as you read, it all feeds into the characters of Blue and Gareth. It felt apt, and not over my head in any way.
A lot of reviews I've read were saying how this was much worse than Night Film - I read Night Film first and I have to say I liked this a lot more. I was much more easily submerged into the world painted by Pessl in this work versus Night Film, and I didn't hate the characters like I did in Night Film. It can be frustrating watching Blue stumble around the truth for a while, but remember, this book is about a naive teenager that is quite sheltered, despite her intelligence.
Finally, a large amount of reviews mentioned being bitter about the author being young and pretty and getting an advance for this book... say what? Ouch. Not sure of the relevance there. Maybe leave that chip in your shoulder out of your review, fellow random Goodread-ers.
mvalat01's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sd1313's review against another edition
5.0
È un libro BELLISSIMO, anche se più che per la trama lo è per la scrittura.
Marisha scrivimi la vita!
E poi vivere nella testa di Blue è stato bellissimo <3
Marisha scrivimi la vita!
E poi vivere nella testa di Blue è stato bellissimo <3
becclectic's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book wasn’t what I was expecting, and in a great way. The title is misleads that this is a great mystery novel, although it is a fantastic one.
The references to other works seemed overwhelming, especially as some sources do exist and others were only in Blue’s world, and I noted some inaccuracies. These were typically around some of the denser passages that I found myself skimming over, and they felt as if they were trying too hard to be academic.
It does feel like a play off of A Secret History and other dark academia novels, but overall I enjoyed it and enjoyed the ending and how it was crafted. Could be a hard book to recommend, but it’s definitely one that makes you think.
The references to other works seemed overwhelming, especially as some sources do exist and others were only in Blue’s world, and I noted some inaccuracies. These were typically around some of the denser passages that I found myself skimming over, and they felt as if they were trying too hard to be academic.
It does feel like a play off of A Secret History and other dark academia novels, but overall I enjoyed it and enjoyed the ending and how it was crafted. Could be a hard book to recommend, but it’s definitely one that makes you think.
alspears's review against another edition
5.0
I really feared that this would turn out to be way too gimmicky for me, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the writer's tropes -- the footnotes, parentheticals, literary titles of chapters, etc, really did pan out and work effectively in the story. Sure, Blue comes off as a little more wordly than a high school student should, but then again, she's moved every six months since the age of five, and is presumably writing this from some point in the future.
I'm still processing the end. Suffice it to say, Blue's dad Gareth would judge me as an ugly American for my initial reaction of being pissed off about the lack of neat ending, but I'm now liking it much much more. A neat ending would have probably ruined the book, and it's much more satisfying to still be mulling over the what if three days later.
I'm still processing the end. Suffice it to say, Blue's dad Gareth would judge me as an ugly American for my initial reaction of being pissed off about the lack of neat ending, but I'm now liking it much much more. A neat ending would have probably ruined the book, and it's much more satisfying to still be mulling over the what if three days later.
jessethereader's review against another edition
2.0
This one was rough for me! I haven't read any reviews & I'm not sure if this has been pointed out (it probably has been lol), but this one felt so similar to the secret history that it was hard for me to not spend a majority of the book comparing the two. The book felt so unnecessarily long winded and the main characters perspective was... not my favorite to put it nicely. All in all this just wasn't for me!
mkaybaker07's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know what I went into this book expecting, but what it turned into was something I loved. It was due back to the library (with no more renewals because I sat on it for so long), so I ended up buying it for my kindle and finishing it in 3 days. So good.
reddyrat's review against another edition
4.0
Special Topics in Calamity Physics is one of those books where the writing is as prominent a character as any of the people in the novel. Unlike most of the books I review, STiCP is shelved in the adult fiction section. I think the book will appeal to teens or YA fans who like books that assume the reader is intelligent and isn't afraid to take some chances.
Blue is a high school senior whose mother died when she was young and has grown up with her itinerant professor father. She moves constantly so her dad is the only influence in her life. As a result, she's very strange. She's intelligent, unbelievably well-read, and has no idea how to be a normal teenager. Through her actions and narration of the novel, my impression of Blue is someone who wants to fit in but at the same time wants you to know how brilliantly clever she is. It makes her both likable and grating.
Similarly Blue's father was a character who I liked and hated. He has isolated Blue from normal life to a point that almost feels abusive. Well intentioned but really damaging. I also disliked how condescending he was. No one, aside from Blue, was good enough. The world is full of stupid, worthless people. And you could see how Blue had absorbed that to a degree. But it was also obvious how much he adored his daughter and I could see how terrified he was of her leaving him to go to college. His efforts to make her senior year special was sweet.
The plot reminded me a lot of Donna Tartt's novel The Secret History. Except that it's almost entirely different. Still, it was hard to think of a plot framed around a dynamic teacher and a compelling group of students taken under her wing and not hearken back to The Secret History. The plot unfolded in a standard way until the end. And then it really changed. Marisha Pessl took a big chance in the plot choice and the structure of the ending. I've never read anything like it.
I'm not saying much about the plot, because it's somewhat forgettable. It's the writing that makes this book stick out in ways both good and bad. It reminds me a lot of Blue and her father. It's brilliant and fun, but also veers into the smugness territory. It's like Pessl is subconsciously shouting "Look how clever and experimental I am!" For example, Blue is always citing random facts. She references book titles in parentheses as the source of her knowledge. I got a kick out of this, but sometimes it's a bit too much "try."
Special Topics in Calamity Physics is what you'd assume from the title. Quirky and intelligent. Sometimes too much for its own good. It is a solid story with fascinating characters, but the writing is what sticks out. It forces you to read slowly and focus on the words themselves even at the expense of the plot. If you want to give your brain a good work out, this is a great way to do it. And a fun read.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Blue is a high school senior whose mother died when she was young and has grown up with her itinerant professor father. She moves constantly so her dad is the only influence in her life. As a result, she's very strange. She's intelligent, unbelievably well-read, and has no idea how to be a normal teenager. Through her actions and narration of the novel, my impression of Blue is someone who wants to fit in but at the same time wants you to know how brilliantly clever she is. It makes her both likable and grating.
Similarly Blue's father was a character who I liked and hated. He has isolated Blue from normal life to a point that almost feels abusive. Well intentioned but really damaging. I also disliked how condescending he was. No one, aside from Blue, was good enough. The world is full of stupid, worthless people. And you could see how Blue had absorbed that to a degree. But it was also obvious how much he adored his daughter and I could see how terrified he was of her leaving him to go to college. His efforts to make her senior year special was sweet.
The plot reminded me a lot of Donna Tartt's novel The Secret History. Except that it's almost entirely different. Still, it was hard to think of a plot framed around a dynamic teacher and a compelling group of students taken under her wing and not hearken back to The Secret History. The plot unfolded in a standard way until the end. And then it really changed. Marisha Pessl took a big chance in the plot choice and the structure of the ending. I've never read anything like it.
I'm not saying much about the plot, because it's somewhat forgettable. It's the writing that makes this book stick out in ways both good and bad. It reminds me a lot of Blue and her father. It's brilliant and fun, but also veers into the smugness territory. It's like Pessl is subconsciously shouting "Look how clever and experimental I am!" For example, Blue is always citing random facts. She references book titles in parentheses as the source of her knowledge. I got a kick out of this, but sometimes it's a bit too much "try."
Special Topics in Calamity Physics is what you'd assume from the title. Quirky and intelligent. Sometimes too much for its own good. It is a solid story with fascinating characters, but the writing is what sticks out. It forces you to read slowly and focus on the words themselves even at the expense of the plot. If you want to give your brain a good work out, this is a great way to do it. And a fun read.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
librarica11's review against another edition
3.0
a little bit 'secret history,' a little dickensian, and a bit of a whodunit with a semi-disappointing ending. am i glad i read it, yes. did it change my life, no.
filiparferreira's review against another edition
3.0
Este livro de quase 700 páginas tem uma história interessante, mas pelo menos 400 páginas a mais. A narradora é filha de um professor universitário e debita citações a cada parágrafo e o que começamos por achar alguma graça, às tantas já não tem graça nenhuma. Só a partir do acampamento na montanha é que o livro ganhou ritmo e me prendeu. Mas percebo que haja quem não tenha paciência de lá chegar.