Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not really sure what to think about this one. On one hand, it's told by one of the most unabashedly-unapologetic characters I've ever come across. He's so unlikable that you end up liking him. But on the other, I'm not really sure what this book was trying to accomplish or what the point was. Perhaps it didn't need one. I pretty much flew through this book but picked up on it's persistently momentary nature. Nothing lasted...which resonates with Lord Doyle's relationships, winnings, losings, and decisions in life. My overall impression is "huh."
While the story started a bit slow, it picked up after several chapters. It is not a typical read for me, but it wasn't horrible to get through, either. The character, Lord Doyle, was well developed and quirky. Any person who enjoys the casinos may be able to relate to his character on some level.
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
This book is only about drinking and gambling and very little character exploration from what I have seen. I don't mind characters having vices, but I like to see characters having a little more life and variation in their routines.
Should be called "Win Some, Lose It All" but that would give the plot away. The main character and perhaps only character, as he is so self absorbed, is a real jerk-a reprehensible liar, thief, and risk junkie-Lord Doyle. He's the English ex-pat you see in Hong Kong and Macao at the casino who lives there in perpetuity like a chained prisoner. He just can't leave and when he does it's because he's out of cash and can't pay the bills-only to return again or to another casino with cash he has borrowed, begged, or stolen. Osborne's eloquent writing kept me turning the pages with every peak and valley of Doyle's battle with lady luck. Osborne's physical and figurative description of a woman called Grandma, another gambling addict, was something I'll always remember. He gets into a philosophical discussion of probability, luck, fortune, and chance and how they differ with the Chinese and the West. Doyle speaks Chinese and hears himself being routinely mocked by the "mainlanders." He is fueled by spite for his hosts and one wonders why he keeps living as he only enjoys one moment- when he risks it all and wins. Even when he wins he is not happy. He has so many opportunities for redemption and casts them aside. The ending was rather unclear but perfect for a movie.