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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Fabulous! This book was quirky, fun, and entirely not what I expected. The Telemachus family was entirely lovable, although at the same time, you just want to slap them upside the head. The author keeps the story moving and keeps a few surprises for the end.
Intermittently funny. Slow, sometimes boring, often confusing (due to time skips) and over long. Recognizable places in Chicagoland feel gimmicky and like name-dropping instead of establishing a sense of place. Very typically family drama in some ways, but, with magic. By the end I did care about the family, though, so this book was interesting enough.
I found this book by total happenstance, judged it by its cover, and gave it a shot. Wow, I'm glad I did! This is a totally original, very creative production. I like the split perspectives, and I think the author did a good job of giving an individualized voice to every character. It kept me guessing and left me in suspense in all the best places. Overall, a very enjoyable read.
This is some quirky fun!! I loved it. Con artist/psychic family? Maybe some mafia? Yes, please!!
If it wasn’t for the penis stuff, it would have a higher rating. Just my issue for reading.
If it wasn’t for the penis stuff, it would have a higher rating. Just my issue for reading.
Enjoyed the world as it was given, lots of good dropping of names, Johnny Carson and the like.
Will to continue to look for this author's new book, always worth the read.
Will to continue to look for this author's new book, always worth the read.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Special Thanks to Amanda Fensch (My secret agent within the publishing industry) for smuggling an advanced reader copy of this book.
A six-word pitch lured me into reading this book: " It's Arrested Development with psychic powers." That premise alone made me giddy with anticipation, but as I read I found that description to be somewhat off. It reads more like The Royal Tenenbaums with psychic powers, which is still an intriguing mash-up, just not what I expected (and not as funny as I expected).
The Amazing Telemachus family is a washed-up troupe of psychics, who all have different psychic abilities and psychoses that have led to a less than glamorous life. Teddy, the patriarch, is a charming card mechanic and swindler who has the hots for a mob boss's wife. His kids, Frankie, Irene, and Buddy have all had their own family dysfunctions and trials. And Matty, Teddy's grandson, has just hit puberty, and finds his own developing abilities work in conjunction with his developing body and immature mind. All five characters have their own stories that weave within each other for an entertaining romp through Chicago and through the astral planes of the Earth and the mind.
It's a light read and though some details seem to be forgotten about as the story moves along, all roads lead to a satisfying conclusion. I'd recommend this book for a book group because there are some interesting examinations on what it would mean to have psychic powers in the real world. If you can always tell when someone is lying or telling the truth, how can you trust anyone? If you can tell the future, wouldn't you feel powerless in your day to day choices? These raise interesting implications that would make for good discussion. My only big pet peeve with the book is the author's tendency to end place words with the suffix "-land." Chicago becomes "Chicagoland," a hotel becomes "Hotel-Land," you get the idea. It might be one of the weak attempts of humor, which may show you why I was a bit crestfallen. Solid novel nonetheless and one I can definitely recommend to my patrons.
A six-word pitch lured me into reading this book: " It's Arrested Development with psychic powers." That premise alone made me giddy with anticipation, but as I read I found that description to be somewhat off. It reads more like The Royal Tenenbaums with psychic powers, which is still an intriguing mash-up, just not what I expected (and not as funny as I expected).
The Amazing Telemachus family is a washed-up troupe of psychics, who all have different psychic abilities and psychoses that have led to a less than glamorous life. Teddy, the patriarch, is a charming card mechanic and swindler who has the hots for a mob boss's wife. His kids, Frankie, Irene, and Buddy have all had their own family dysfunctions and trials. And Matty, Teddy's grandson, has just hit puberty, and finds his own developing abilities work in conjunction with his developing body and immature mind. All five characters have their own stories that weave within each other for an entertaining romp through Chicago and through the astral planes of the Earth and the mind.
It's a light read and though some details seem to be forgotten about as the story moves along, all roads lead to a satisfying conclusion. I'd recommend this book for a book group because there are some interesting examinations on what it would mean to have psychic powers in the real world. If you can always tell when someone is lying or telling the truth, how can you trust anyone? If you can tell the future, wouldn't you feel powerless in your day to day choices? These raise interesting implications that would make for good discussion. My only big pet peeve with the book is the author's tendency to end place words with the suffix "-land." Chicago becomes "Chicagoland," a hotel becomes "Hotel-Land," you get the idea. It might be one of the weak attempts of humor, which may show you why I was a bit crestfallen. Solid novel nonetheless and one I can definitely recommend to my patrons.
