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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
The Amazing Telemachus family is not quite amazing anymore. While once crowds flocked to see them and their psychic abilities, they now live relatively normal lives out in the world after a disastrous TV performance. The older generation assumes that the younger generation has no powers and the younger generation isn’t sure what to think. There are government agents and mobsters and a little romance thrown in there. Fun story. Very human.
At first, there were too many names and timelines to keep track of during my read. Then I began to enjoy some of the backstories and grow to like some of the characters. This book gets easier to read as you go along, but by the end, I was ready for the final words to be read so I could move on. 3.5 stars, but I rounded up since it was a unique and very interesting premise that was just ok.
This novel should probably be called: men ruin everything - reasons why patriarchal familial hierarchy is an actual joke. It wrapped up nicely - but it took way too long to get there.
Lots of great reviews but this one sits in the “not for me” pile
Lots of great reviews but this one sits in the “not for me” pile
As is sometimes the case with Gregory books, I was torn as to how highly to rate it, due to the somewhat grim aspects of the story. In this case, it’s the characters’ associations with the unsavory gangster bad guys that made for some unpleasant reading, at least for me.
But as is also often the case, the more wondrous and supernatural elements override this negativity, and the inventive concepts and great storytelling win out in the end. Each Telemachus character has a distinctive point of view, and all are interesting in their own ways; personally I found Buddy’s power and story to be the most creative and fascinating.
There are plenty of fun and clever parts to offset the more serious portions of the book, and the ending in particular was nicely done, thanks largely to Buddy’s role. Overall, quite enjoyable, and recommended whether or not you’re already a fan of Gregory.
But as is also often the case, the more wondrous and supernatural elements override this negativity, and the inventive concepts and great storytelling win out in the end. Each Telemachus character has a distinctive point of view, and all are interesting in their own ways; personally I found Buddy’s power and story to be the most creative and fascinating.
There are plenty of fun and clever parts to offset the more serious portions of the book, and the ending in particular was nicely done, thanks largely to Buddy’s role. Overall, quite enjoyable, and recommended whether or not you’re already a fan of Gregory.
What a fun ride. Reminds me of The Royal Tenenbaums, but about a family of psychics. Very satisfying from top to bottom. And Buddy! Oh, Buddy, what a great character.
This book turned out to be nothing like I expected, but I enjoyed it none the less. I guess I expected the story to be focused on the family's amazing powers, but for most of the book, these physic abilities were presented in a much more subtle way. At first, this was disappointing, but as you continue to read, you realize this is a story more about character relationships and how being psychics didn't make them that much different than any other family. The plot was slow up until the very end, but each character was so unique and relatable that I became quickly invested in each of their timelines. The flip-flop between past and present was a bit difficult to follow sometimes, but overall I think it was well done and added to the mystery of this family's past and weaved together the problems of the present.
I didn't think I would like this as much as I did.
Found no enjoyment at all.
The summary of this book sounded interesting. A family with magic spanning generations back must band together to protect themselves? Add in some TV magic and a bit of drama with the Mafia, and it seems like something that could be really unique! But, the summary merely played up what actually happened.
Really it's just a bunch of moody adults who don't even think they really have powers who sit around and complain all day. The Mafia and CIA are present, but they're not the threat we were led to believe. Then this "banning together" stuff doesn't even happen because they won't communicate. It's literally just one person trying to save them, and everyone else thinks that person is weird. And the supposed generations of magic? It's just mom, kids, and grandkids. That's it.
I felt very misled. The book itself was only rarely funny and not at all interesting. I did the audiobook version of this and literally fell asleep. Didn't even feel the need to backtrack on what I missed. That's how much I did not care for this book.
The summary of this book sounded interesting. A family with magic spanning generations back must band together to protect themselves? Add in some TV magic and a bit of drama with the Mafia, and it seems like something that could be really unique! But, the summary merely played up what actually happened.
Really it's just a bunch of moody adults who don't even think they really have powers who sit around and complain all day. The Mafia and CIA are present, but they're not the threat we were led to believe. Then this "banning together" stuff doesn't even happen because they won't communicate. It's literally just one person trying to save them, and everyone else thinks that person is weird. And the supposed generations of magic? It's just mom, kids, and grandkids. That's it.
I felt very misled. The book itself was only rarely funny and not at all interesting. I did the audiobook version of this and literally fell asleep. Didn't even feel the need to backtrack on what I missed. That's how much I did not care for this book.
This book was great. The only book I've picked up recently out of PILES of ARCs that has pulled me in and managed to effortlessly keep my attention.
Cross the drama of the Sopranos, Arrested Development's ruthless dysfunctionality, and a little bit of ESP, wrap it up neatly with great characterization and deft humor. One of my top summer reads, and it all takes place within a 40 mile radius of where I live.
Read this.
Cross the drama of the Sopranos, Arrested Development's ruthless dysfunctionality, and a little bit of ESP, wrap it up neatly with great characterization and deft humor. One of my top summer reads, and it all takes place within a 40 mile radius of where I live.
Read this.
I wondered what I had walked into with the first scene of the book, but nonetheless found it engaging. Fraught with the twists and turns of any book about a circus or magical performance family, the characters engage, delight, and dazzle. It as would be hard not to love the grifting and roguishly charming patriarch as it would be to not empathize with his child who wishes their family history could all be forgotten. Just edging on a touch of real magic, Gregory has developed an entertaining and memorable cast of characters from whom I was disappointed to be parted. I finished this book at 2am because it was so good.