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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
When I started to read this book, I was excited because a conman and a psychic with real abilities being together? Now that sounded like a really fun read.
But I was really... "eh" throughout the book. The most interesting parts were with Teddy, the grandfather. I couldn't really get myself to enjoy the other characters or their motivations.
And I was really uncomfortable with Matty's crush on his cousin. Especially at the end where she cups his crotch??? What in the world??? I was going to stop reading it all together, but then I realized I was almost done so I just... pushed myself to finish the book.
It was hard to finish, and I was disappointed.
But I was really... "eh" throughout the book. The most interesting parts were with Teddy, the grandfather. I couldn't really get myself to enjoy the other characters or their motivations.
And I was really uncomfortable with Matty's crush on his cousin. Especially at the end where she cups his crotch??? What in the world??? I was going to stop reading it all together, but then I realized I was almost done so I just... pushed myself to finish the book.
It was hard to finish, and I was disappointed.
Parts of this are funny, but it's full of a lot of words and a lot of characters who don't converge until the very end. I appreciate the attempt, but Wilson's The Family Fang is much better example of this style of storytelling.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A really warming, and often quaint read. This book didn't detail the magic tricks as much as I expected but I still really enjoyed it. I thought that the use of different characters' pov & jumping between the different years was spot on. It is understandable why this book has received such great reviews. Not a 5 star for me as it was a little slow in parts and not as spectacular as I expected given the title.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Spoonbenders from First to Read in exchange for a review.
I liked the idea of the story and I liked many descriptions, thoughts, and bits of the novel. However, the introduction and many scenes throughout the tale are a little too dark and disturbing for me. I was not a fan of the book and struggled to finish it.
However, Gregory writes well and constructs a good story for those who like this sort of thing.
I liked the idea of the story and I liked many descriptions, thoughts, and bits of the novel. However, the introduction and many scenes throughout the tale are a little too dark and disturbing for me. I was not a fan of the book and struggled to finish it.
However, Gregory writes well and constructs a good story for those who like this sort of thing.
Part heist story, part magical realism, and part humorous ode to the '90s, this genre-defying novel is a lot of fun! Spoonbenders is told from the POV of various members of the Telemachus family (all with varying degrees of psychic talent). In the beginning of the novel Gregory skillfully sets a number of balls rolling,all of which pay off delightfully for the reader in the end!
All in all, this was a fantastic book, which, once it got started, kept its frenetic pace throughout. I sincerely hope that someone is looking into making this into a movie or TV show as its format would lend itself perfectly to a visual medium (no pun intended).
I would recommend this book to folks who like their supernatural with a side of realism, or anyone who is a fan of the TV series Shut Eye.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I was provided an ARC of this book by Netgalley/Knopf in exchange for an honest review.
All in all, this was a fantastic book, which, once it got started, kept its frenetic pace throughout. I sincerely hope that someone is looking into making this into a movie or TV show as its format would lend itself perfectly to a visual medium (no pun intended).
I would recommend this book to folks who like their supernatural with a side of realism, or anyone who is a fan of the TV series Shut Eye.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I was provided an ARC of this book by Netgalley/Knopf in exchange for an honest review.
This book is just like a magic trick. Gregory is dazzling you with the wonderful characters and a complicated plot to divert your attention from what he's really doing, which is to talk about masculinity, feminism, family and love. I wish more stories were told with such a talent, and had such interesting subtext.
I don't think it's possible for me not to love a Daryl Gregory book.
Families are a strange and terrible and sometimes amazing fucked up things, and I believe in many ways "Spoonbenders" capture their complexity.
For a week or two, I felt I too was a Telemachus.
I loved Irene, which I now think of as my spirit animal. I loved-hated Teddy, which was both an adored figure and an asshole. I missed Maureen, the greatest mom ever, and a strong-ass woman. I loved buddy, but also pitted him and sometimes was angry with him. Most of the time I loathed and despised Frankie, but at the end learned to love him too. Because by the end of the book, as I said, there were all my family.
Other than that, I really enjoyed how the book played with the concepts of "real magic" versus tricks and deception. In the begging of the book, you might be tempted to think the Telemachus family are either fake, or "the real thing". However, throughout the book Gregory teaches us this is not black and white. You can be real in some ways and fake than others. Moreover, belief and faith can account to very real things.
Finally, you can say the book plot itself is some sort of a magic trick. Bit by bit, thing falls into place, until they reach a the conclusion. The magician bows, the crowd applause. And Teddy Telemachus smiles a crooked smile.
Families are a strange and terrible and sometimes amazing fucked up things, and I believe in many ways "Spoonbenders" capture their complexity.
For a week or two, I felt I too was a Telemachus.
I loved Irene, which I now think of as my spirit animal. I loved-hated Teddy, which was both an adored figure and an asshole. I missed Maureen, the greatest mom ever, and a strong-ass woman. I loved buddy, but also pitted him and sometimes was angry with him. Most of the time I loathed and despised Frankie, but at the end learned to love him too. Because by the end of the book, as I said, there were all my family.
Other than that, I really enjoyed how the book played with the concepts of "real magic" versus tricks and deception. In the begging of the book, you might be tempted to think the Telemachus family are either fake, or "the real thing". However, throughout the book Gregory teaches us this is not black and white. You can be real in some ways and fake than others. Moreover, belief and faith can account to very real things.
Finally, you can say the book plot itself is some sort of a magic trick. Bit by bit, thing falls into place, until they reach a the conclusion. The magician bows, the crowd applause. And Teddy Telemachus smiles a crooked smile.
This book is a gem. Gregory weaves together stories from five characters, past and present, seamlessly and effortlessly. Irene's story is my favorite, but I loved all of them.
Perhaps my favorite book of the year so far. Fresh and absolutely fun. I stayed up late two nights in a row reading which never happens anymore.