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lgsplace's review against another edition
3.0
I ran hot and cold with this book. At times, it was interesting and alluring. Other times. I just didn't care. I was disappointed with the level of violence towards the end.
embean's review against another edition
2.0
I could not get into this book. I'm assuming it must pick up, due to all the excellent reviews?
I could not make it past Chapter 6. The story focuses on an elderly American man in Norway who witnesses a crime and must flee with the victim's son. However, the man, a veteran, is paranoid and distrustful of authority. I couldn't get past the idea that this was going to be a novel about an old man in hiding, which is not exciting at all, peppered with unrelated flashbacks by various characters, which I found did not contribute to the plot or character development. I found his interactions with the boy annoying (who does not speak English, so we're constantly presented with the man's one-sided rants) and it seemed like the author was trying to frame this relationship in some kind of ironic, heartwarming manner (bumbling old man, clueless to the needs of small children).
I thought the novel would focus more on the culture shock of the man (hence the title?), and this may have been an interesting angle. However, it seemed that any difficulties he faced were not cultural but due to his being a grumpy old man. The novel could have taken place in any Western setting.
Does he subsequently try to solve the crime in order to disprove the stereotype of the crazy old man? It felt like the author was very much setting this up. I would not be interested in this either, as this seems highly unrealistic. Let me guess, he eventually bonds with the boy? The storyline seems predictable - which, maybe it's not, but currently, I'm not at all interested in continuing to read.
I could not make it past Chapter 6. The story focuses on an elderly American man in Norway who witnesses a crime and must flee with the victim's son. However, the man, a veteran, is paranoid and distrustful of authority. I couldn't get past the idea that this was going to be a novel about an old man in hiding, which is not exciting at all, peppered with unrelated flashbacks by various characters, which I found did not contribute to the plot or character development. I found his interactions with the boy annoying (who does not speak English, so we're constantly presented with the man's one-sided rants) and it seemed like the author was trying to frame this relationship in some kind of ironic, heartwarming manner (bumbling old man, clueless to the needs of small children).
I thought the novel would focus more on the culture shock of the man (hence the title?), and this may have been an interesting angle. However, it seemed that any difficulties he faced were not cultural but due to his being a grumpy old man. The novel could have taken place in any Western setting.
Does he subsequently try to solve the crime in order to disprove the stereotype of the crazy old man? It felt like the author was very much setting this up. I would not be interested in this either, as this seems highly unrealistic. Let me guess, he eventually bonds with the boy? The storyline seems predictable - which, maybe it's not, but currently, I'm not at all interested in continuing to read.
threedemons's review against another edition
2.0
I'm obviously in the minority here, but I just couldn't get excited about this book. The plot wasn't enough to keep me reading, and the characters weren't developed enough to care about either. It seemed like Miller was so concerned with making Sheldon charmingly eccentric that he wasn't realistic, and all the other characters fell short of their potentials. Some ok moments, but not compelling as a whole.
kellkie's review against another edition
4.0
If this book were not already optioned for film, I'd write the screenplay myself. Nearly every scene begs to be seen on the big screen--I couldn't help but start putting together the script in my head as I listened to the audio version, which is incredibly well narrated.
Sheldon springs to life from the first few pages, a displaced Jewish octogenarian and retired Marine who witnesses a murder and takes it upon himself to rescue the victim's son. While Sheldon's granddaughter is convinced he suffers from dementia, he manages to outmaneuver both the police and former KLA soldiers as he travels the Norwegian countryside on his mission to save the boy.
Though this is a crime thriller, themes of family, loss, and country (to name a few) layer in multitudes of depth, forcing the reader to consider questions about immigration, gun control, war, grief, and aging.
Sheldon springs to life from the first few pages, a displaced Jewish octogenarian and retired Marine who witnesses a murder and takes it upon himself to rescue the victim's son. While Sheldon's granddaughter is convinced he suffers from dementia, he manages to outmaneuver both the police and former KLA soldiers as he travels the Norwegian countryside on his mission to save the boy.
Though this is a crime thriller, themes of family, loss, and country (to name a few) layer in multitudes of depth, forcing the reader to consider questions about immigration, gun control, war, grief, and aging.
elsaswanson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alannabarras's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. The book is told primarily from the perspective of an 86 year old man who fought in WWII. You learn about his past as he drifts back through old memories, but are simultaneously introduced to doubt, as he moves in with his granddaughter; she's convinced he has Alzheimer's and is making up stories. As the action unfolds, the author does an excellent job of exposing you to the man's logic so that you understand exactly why he's doing what he does, but still leaving the faintest hint of doubt as to how 'there' he really is.
wendoxford's review against another edition
4.0
An 82 Jewish ex-marine in Norway witnesses a crime and ends up on the run (with a young boy) as he is a witness. A page turning story from liberal Norway which does not have a high murder rate but with Kosovan and Serbian equally having legitimate rights to be in Norway creates a violent underworld that unravels. The family stories that place the characters in this location equally sucks you in, as does the history of Norway's attitudes towards the Jews in WW2. Read this in 2 sittings!
mamatkperk's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this story. The cantankerous old man versus his failing health in addition to the flashbacks and the action in the present was excellent. The way in which the chapters skipped between settings kept me anticipating the next scene. I found myself cursing that the next chapter did not pick up where the last one ended. :) And the topic of a potential dementia as a theme throughout the story was interesting.
laurend's review against another edition
4.0
Complex, funny, quirky, wise, surprising. Not a mystery at all just a really good read.
avid_reader_sf_and_f's review against another edition
4.0
Darkly weird and trippy, yet engaging. I couldn't put it down.