Scan barcode
rai's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
whitmc's review
5.0
Blown away. One of the back of the book review quotes says it best: "This tale gradually exerts a fiendish grip over the reader." Grows strong and steady, then suddenly you are sucked in and can't consume it fast enough. Epic, with a protagonist as obsessively lovable as Owen Meany. Mysterious with a flawed family handling love and grief and life, less than perfectly.
Writing is incredible, the word choice on every page blew me away. Because of that, I will read anything by Lodato, just to experience his word choice.
Highly, highly recommend. And give it 200 pages.
Writing is incredible, the word choice on every page blew me away. Because of that, I will read anything by Lodato, just to experience his word choice.
Highly, highly recommend. And give it 200 pages.
kittykornerlibrarian's review
1.0
This book is well-crafted and well-written. I opted not to finish it because I found it to be too dark and gruesome. I just wasn't enjoying the overall experience of the book so I stopped. I enjoyed the characterizations of Edgar and Florence especially. There's a lot of death and injury and anger and despair running through this.
roaming_rachael's review
3.0
My review from Audible
"Liked this peculiar story - disliked the narration"
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
I had originally started this book reading it in print - but switched to the audiobook after the book was due back at the library. I would have much rather continued reading the print version than the audiobook.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
He had such a wobbly voice - it constantly sounded like every character was choked up or crying THE ENTIRE TIME. It was so annoying and really took away from the storyline which was good.
If this book were a movie would you go see it?
Yes why not.
Any additional comments?
GET THIS IN PRINT IF YOU WANT THE FULL EFFECT OF THIS STORY. Seriously!
"Liked this peculiar story - disliked the narration"
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
I had originally started this book reading it in print - but switched to the audiobook after the book was due back at the library. I would have much rather continued reading the print version than the audiobook.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
He had such a wobbly voice - it constantly sounded like every character was choked up or crying THE ENTIRE TIME. It was so annoying and really took away from the storyline which was good.
If this book were a movie would you go see it?
Yes why not.
Any additional comments?
GET THIS IN PRINT IF YOU WANT THE FULL EFFECT OF THIS STORY. Seriously!
catladylover94's review
5.0
I did not think I would like this to much, but it was a really good book, I could not put it down
tbsims's review
5.0
Loved the nuanced and damaged and tough characters.
Loved the role of supersluts.com
This sorta shows the gritty - When other people were mean to you, you had to be meaner. If that wasn’t your philosophy, then you should get out of New Jersey and move somewhere like California. New Jersey wasn’t for wimps. It wasn’t for lovers. Look at a map, for Christ’s sake. The state was shaped like Frankenstein’s head. New Jersey was a monster.
Loved the role of supersluts.com
This sorta shows the gritty - When other people were mean to you, you had to be meaner. If that wasn’t your philosophy, then you should get out of New Jersey and move somewhere like California. New Jersey wasn’t for wimps. It wasn’t for lovers. Look at a map, for Christ’s sake. The state was shaped like Frankenstein’s head. New Jersey was a monster.
jvanbuskirk1024's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved this book at the beginning but the further I got into it, the more it seemed to drag. To me, the plot could have been resolved more quickly.
amarasanti's review
3.0
Probably would really give this 3.5 at least. He is a very talented writer and I've ordered his other book. I am unsure how to really describe this book. It's long, 533 pages. The story is multi-layered and hits on so many human emotions. Excellent character development. Still really thinking this one through a bit!
natesea's review
1.0
This is one of the most TEDIOUS book I've ever read. Where was the editor? It should have been at best a short story, not 530 pages, and written by someone else. I suppose the glowing review by Lena Dunham on the cover should have been a sign. The plot is improbable, the characters shallow, and the writing overwrought. A waste of time.