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moumita's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Delicious collection of stories/ vignettes exploring human desires through the cities of the world.
blissbubbley's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this book as thirty six small chapters each about a different city and people looked destined to confuse me. So I broke it down into separate chapters as this is not a novel. It's all about how you think before you read (I think!).
For more see; http://www.larissaslife.com/2011/07/sarahs-reviews-metrophilias-by-brendan.html
For more see; http://www.larissaslife.com/2011/07/sarahs-reviews-metrophilias-by-brendan.html
secretsofabooklover's review against another edition
5.0
Love, addiction, infatuation, desire and obsession are indiscriminate.
Metrophilias is a candid, sometimes disturbing, often intriguing glimpse into the human psyche.
I didn't know what to expect going into this book. And when I started reading the first "chapter" I was more confused than ever, wondering if all of these stories would tie in together, if there was a common theme amongst the cities and people, if there was even a plot at all. But once I read the second chapter I realized that the best way to read this book was to assume that all of the chapters were a very short story, completely independent of all the others. It is not a novel, at least not in the sense most people are accustomed to.
I am still deciding on whether or not "enjoyed" is a proper term for how I felt about this book. To say that I enjoyed it assumes that I got some pleasure out of reading it. I feel like that would be a misleading description of how I felt while reading it. I think
a more accurate description would be that I found it fascinating, honest and brazen. The author tackles a subject that can range from the mild and somewhat socially acceptable (a fetish for bald heads) to the extreme and taboo (necrophilia). And he bravely and eloquently broaches that most people would hesitate to discuss, let alone write an entire collection of stories about.
Overall, I would have to say that this book has the potential to be regarded a literary masterpiece and, in my opinion, could be included in the curriculum of a college level literature course. Despite being only 102 pages, there is so much compelling content that the stories could be discussed, and even analyzed, in depth for decades, if not centuries.
"But it's easy to call a man in love a mad man."
I gave this book 5 stars based on my personal preference for the book. That being said, it might not be for everyone. It's gritty and disturbing yet compelling and fascinating. While it's only 102 pages, please don't mistake this for a light read. If you decide to pick this up, take your time. It will be worth it.
Metrophilias is a candid, sometimes disturbing, often intriguing glimpse into the human psyche.
I didn't know what to expect going into this book. And when I started reading the first "chapter" I was more confused than ever, wondering if all of these stories would tie in together, if there was a common theme amongst the cities and people, if there was even a plot at all. But once I read the second chapter I realized that the best way to read this book was to assume that all of the chapters were a very short story, completely independent of all the others. It is not a novel, at least not in the sense most people are accustomed to.
I am still deciding on whether or not "enjoyed" is a proper term for how I felt about this book. To say that I enjoyed it assumes that I got some pleasure out of reading it. I feel like that would be a misleading description of how I felt while reading it. I think
a more accurate description would be that I found it fascinating, honest and brazen. The author tackles a subject that can range from the mild and somewhat socially acceptable (a fetish for bald heads) to the extreme and taboo (necrophilia). And he bravely and eloquently broaches that most people would hesitate to discuss, let alone write an entire collection of stories about.
Overall, I would have to say that this book has the potential to be regarded a literary masterpiece and, in my opinion, could be included in the curriculum of a college level literature course. Despite being only 102 pages, there is so much compelling content that the stories could be discussed, and even analyzed, in depth for decades, if not centuries.
"But it's easy to call a man in love a mad man."
I gave this book 5 stars based on my personal preference for the book. That being said, it might not be for everyone. It's gritty and disturbing yet compelling and fascinating. While it's only 102 pages, please don't mistake this for a light read. If you decide to pick this up, take your time. It will be worth it.
bookishlyruby's review
4.0
Let me start by saying this book is the most bold I've read in a while. I liked that, I really did. It deals with a part of the human psyche that is very dark and taboo. While short, the story is in no way a "light read". The stories are short, yet compelling and well told.
This book is not for everyone. Don't get me wrong, everyone can try it. But some of the stories made me cringe or flinch at some point. Not all, just some. The stories don't linger too much on unnecessary details, which is very good, because it doesn't stray from it's purpose: showing the darker side of humans. I loved the different settings, because it gave more meaning to the idea that anyone, anywhere can have any type of obsession.
I also loved how the author managed to describe the feelings and emotion - both physical and psychological - of the main characters. Brendan Connell manages to get the reader inside the characters mind, making him feel the way the characters feel and maybe understand a little bit the nature of the obsession
I can't say it was the greatest book I've read this year, but I can say I loved it and I think anyone should at least try it. I can say it was the first fiction book I've read on this subject. I'm glad this was the first.
The book deserves 5 stars, but I felt the need for more on some of the stories. When I say more, I mean more exploration of some of the feelings of some characters, of some stories and obsessions. But I definitely loved this book.
This book is not for everyone. Don't get me wrong, everyone can try it. But some of the stories made me cringe or flinch at some point. Not all, just some. The stories don't linger too much on unnecessary details, which is very good, because it doesn't stray from it's purpose: showing the darker side of humans. I loved the different settings, because it gave more meaning to the idea that anyone, anywhere can have any type of obsession.
I also loved how the author managed to describe the feelings and emotion - both physical and psychological - of the main characters. Brendan Connell manages to get the reader inside the characters mind, making him feel the way the characters feel and maybe understand a little bit the nature of the obsession
I can't say it was the greatest book I've read this year, but I can say I loved it and I think anyone should at least try it. I can say it was the first fiction book I've read on this subject. I'm glad this was the first.
The book deserves 5 stars, but I felt the need for more on some of the stories. When I say more, I mean more exploration of some of the feelings of some characters, of some stories and obsessions. But I definitely loved this book.
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