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4.59 AVERAGE
4.59 AVERAGE
it's going to be a bit hard to definitively write an exacting review to a book as long and rich as this especially since its status as a classic of western genre fiction.
perhaps one of the notable points of this relates to the richness of the characters involved, all of whom are characterised in lush details. Mannerisms and backstories and the crisp dialogue - but at the same time I did find it slightly egregious to a certain extent that some characters don't have stories expounded upon. like, what the hell happened to louisa, who was introduced for Roscoe's sake and then disappeared. And then Roscoe himself. God. And Janey?? knock me senseless but perhaps I saw this as a victim of its own failing that it got me so invested or this is just a matter of the author's genre.
Despite being rather heavy-handed about it, the novel does delve very heavily into the impact of ones' character on their relationships around them and the surrounding legacy of that. It becomes a thematic element when we see the contrasting differences between, say Bolivar vs Po Campo, who have the same jobs but treat people around them differently, and the differing legacies they leave behind. We see the differences between Gus and Call with their equal status as partners and how they've had such differeing legacies despite their similar occupations in the past. There's a very potent and nearly heartbreaking arc that July and Roscoe never carve themselves out of the pit of hurt and despair and neglect and become paralysed by this. Clara's character was one of the most stand-out and visceral ones, rich and full of rage and feminine strength which was a perfect counterpoint to Elmira. She'd left her legacy behind on Lorena but despite this, I did still feel that Lorena's arc felt incomplete, compared to some other characters. Like say, Newt. Most of their arcs felt dreadfully incomplete - Call remained sombre and stoic and never fulfilled his purpose. Dish and July neither. This whole novel felt slightly incomplete despite the richness of their journeys and the tales that they'd left behind.
As far as pacing was concerned, there was the perfect blend of atmosphere, action and adventure. I'm assuming this was what the genre set out to accomplish. The writing style was perfect. The dialogue never felt tired. And despite the massive brick of a book this was, I never felt bored for a single moment and devoured this within a week. There were some extremely, disturbing and harrowing scenes regarding Lorena and Janey which tore me to shreds and I was genuinely shocked and it kinda put a scar on my heart for the rest of the book, but I guess this is an 80s piece of fiction and as much has I disagree with it, it carried the rest of the narrative well
So, amazing, rich writing with an entirely immersive setting - hampered by its lack of finality. This deserves its classic status as a staple of the western genre fiction
perhaps one of the notable points of this relates to the richness of the characters involved, all of whom are characterised in lush details. Mannerisms and backstories and the crisp dialogue - but at the same time I did find it slightly egregious to a certain extent that some characters don't have stories expounded upon. like, what the hell happened to louisa, who was introduced for Roscoe's sake and then disappeared. And then Roscoe himself. God. And Janey?? knock me senseless but perhaps I saw this as a victim of its own failing that it got me so invested or this is just a matter of the author's genre.
Despite being rather heavy-handed about it, the novel does delve very heavily into the impact of ones' character on their relationships around them and the surrounding legacy of that. It becomes a thematic element when we see the contrasting differences between, say Bolivar vs Po Campo, who have the same jobs but treat people around them differently, and the differing legacies they leave behind. We see the differences between Gus and Call with their equal status as partners and how they've had such differeing legacies despite their similar occupations in the past. There's a very potent and nearly heartbreaking arc that July and Roscoe never carve themselves out of the pit of hurt and despair and neglect and become paralysed by this. Clara's character was one of the most stand-out and visceral ones, rich and full of rage and feminine strength which was a perfect counterpoint to Elmira. She'd left her legacy behind on Lorena but despite this, I did still feel that Lorena's arc felt incomplete, compared to some other characters. Like say, Newt. Most of their arcs felt dreadfully incomplete - Call remained sombre and stoic and never fulfilled his purpose. Dish and July neither. This whole novel felt slightly incomplete despite the richness of their journeys and the tales that they'd left behind.
As far as pacing was concerned, there was the perfect blend of atmosphere, action and adventure. I'm assuming this was what the genre set out to accomplish. The writing style was perfect. The dialogue never felt tired. And despite the massive brick of a book this was, I never felt bored for a single moment and devoured this within a week. There were some extremely, disturbing and harrowing scenes regarding Lorena and Janey which tore me to shreds and I was genuinely shocked and it kinda put a scar on my heart for the rest of the book, but I guess this is an 80s piece of fiction and as much has I disagree with it, it carried the rest of the narrative well
So, amazing, rich writing with an entirely immersive setting - hampered by its lack of finality. This deserves its classic status as a staple of the western genre fiction
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
tense
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes