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tackerly's review against another edition
5.0
Moving. Surreal. Brilliant. One of the finest novels I've ever read.
dameguillotine's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Realmente me encantó la cualidad surreal, onírica, de este libro. Las personas aparecen y desaparecen y se manifiestan, viven fuera del lugar y del tiempo, son varios y ninguno a la vez. Lo enmarcaría sin problemas en el realismo mágico (la naturalidad de lo sobrenatural, la alienación de la sociedad humana y el incesto como manifestación de aquelll, el énfasis en los lugares y sus historias, la obsesión, todas cosas que me recuerdan a clásicos del género) pero curiosamente lejos de la latinoamericanidad.
Me pareció fascinante la forma del sexo en esta novela. Es algo inevitable, no necesariamente deseado pero no por eso sufrido, una aceptación de lo inaceptable que a la vez naturaliza la violencia. Lo estoy diciendo como el orto pero de verdad me pareció fascinante, la exploración de lo humano como animal. Creo que sería un error condenarlo en esos aspectos; la perspectiva femenina es comprensiva y compasiva. Si esperás encontrar una deshumanización en esa igualación frecuente del sexo y la violación, en mi opinión no la hay. Las decisiones y las emociones de Lauren son casi las únicas que conducen el relato.
Se pueden decir mil cosas. No es para todo el mundo, de más está decir. A mí me transportó, en ese universo de destrucción en donde lo único que importa en última instancia son las personas. Me va a dar vueltas en la cabeza por un buen tiempo. Aunque el final un poco precipitado, diré.
Me pareció fascinante la forma del sexo en esta novela. Es algo inevitable, no necesariamente deseado pero no por eso sufrido, una aceptación de lo inaceptable que a la vez naturaliza la violencia. Lo estoy diciendo como el orto pero de verdad me pareció fascinante, la exploración de lo humano como animal. Creo que sería un error condenarlo en esos aspectos; la perspectiva femenina es comprensiva y compasiva. Si esperás encontrar una deshumanización en esa igualación frecuente del sexo y la violación, en mi opinión no la hay. Las decisiones y las emociones de Lauren son casi las únicas que conducen el relato.
Se pueden decir mil cosas. No es para todo el mundo, de más está decir. A mí me transportó, en ese universo de destrucción en donde lo único que importa en última instancia son las personas. Me va a dar vueltas en la cabeza por un buen tiempo. Aunque el final un poco precipitado, diré.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
kateewald's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
cheyene_218's review
1.0
Even though the intertwined stories were intriguing, I became fed up with all the rape and assault scenes, after which the women embraced the predator in a loving way. Lauren is at the center of multiple scenes like this and Janine also is the victim at the hands of Adolphe during the filming if the movie. Does Erickson think it's sexy or something? He writes them as if he doesn't realize that what's happening is completely non-consensual. In all instances, Lauren and and Janine are somehow completely unaware of their surroundings enough to not realize immediately that a penis is inside them. And this serves nothing to the plot. I stopped reading when again Michael just appears and starts having sex with Lauren but she doesn't realize what's happening. It's pretty gross and I don't recommend this book.
scheu's review against another edition
5.0
Erickson is one of those polarizing authors whom I seem to love while other people are driven away. It's hard to deny the surreal, dreamlike quality of his stories; in fact, the best way for me to describe this book is to say that "it was like reading a dream". The world slowly disintegrates about the main characters. Cities fall inexplicably into ruin. Herds of white buffalo foretell vague portents. Time falls out of joint and a young couple falls apart.
I originally picked up this novel after nosing around Wikipedia for something different in terms of reading material. I hadn't heard of 'slipstream' before but I had read some Auster and Murakami and had enjoyed what I'd read. DBS just amazed me. I'm the kind of reader who can live or die by the emotional content of a book - does it move me or not? - and this book just totally wowed me in that respect.
May not be for all readers. Use as directed.
I originally picked up this novel after nosing around Wikipedia for something different in terms of reading material. I hadn't heard of 'slipstream' before but I had read some Auster and Murakami and had enjoyed what I'd read. DBS just amazed me. I'm the kind of reader who can live or die by the emotional content of a book - does it move me or not? - and this book just totally wowed me in that respect.
May not be for all readers. Use as directed.
getradified's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mammajamma's review
3.0
This book was fine. As others have said, lovely imagery, unrealistic characters.
In addition to the imagery, I get a feeling that Erickson's obscurity might be what some of his evangelists like about him. Luckily for the obscurity fans, then, their five star ratings will always be tempered by the folks like me who were sucker enough to believe them, and this book, obscurity intact, will not rocket to Goodreads fame and glory.
In addition to the imagery, I get a feeling that Erickson's obscurity might be what some of his evangelists like about him. Luckily for the obscurity fans, then, their five star ratings will always be tempered by the folks like me who were sucker enough to believe them, and this book, obscurity intact, will not rocket to Goodreads fame and glory.
btmarino84's review
4.0
Erickson is a master visualist. There are so many moments in this book that can simply take your breath away. The story itself lends itself to his dreamy and imagistic writing. Often the characters seem unaware of what they are doing or why they are doing it. Drifting through a dreamlike version of an apocalypse (we never quite know why any of these horrifying disasters are occurring. just that they are), getting stuck in a loop of time they can't escape, finding long lost ghosts, etc. There are times where I rolled my eyes (This is very much an 80s artsy book), especially at some of the "erotic" moments. It could be truly sensual and erotic, but there were other moments that...well you'll see. Overall, I am glad I finally read it after owning it for 17 years. Feels like an odd weight has been lifted.