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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed reading The Unconsoled even though the story reads like a frustrating dream, so I'm not sure what that says about me.
The main character never truly knows what's going on, and characters are always interrupting what he's doing to ask him to do things. This uncertainty leaves the reader disoriented and confused. Despite this The Unconsoled is quite compelling.
Probably not the best choice as my first Ishiguro novel, but 1Q84 was my first Murakami novel and I wasn't scared away by that either.
The main character never truly knows what's going on, and characters are always interrupting what he's doing to ask him to do things. This uncertainty leaves the reader disoriented and confused. Despite this The Unconsoled is quite compelling.
Probably not the best choice as my first Ishiguro novel, but 1Q84 was my first Murakami novel and I wasn't scared away by that either.
I'll be honest I had absolutely no idea what was happening at all with this book but it was pretty nicely written nonetheless
You will enjoy this if you like your books to be kafkaesque, which I, unfortunately, don't at all.
The dream-like (or nightmarish) style of this book left me not only irritated but deeply anxious. There are enough things in my life I manage to forget to do or that I'm somehow hindered from doing, I really didn't need an extra dose of "I know I should do X, but how about I wander to the other end of town and do somethings else entirely instead". I don't know what's there to like about this book, really. Other people write "It was strange and unpleasant but I loved it" and I really don't see why. (It might have stood a chance if it had had a different ending). In a way, it actually was pretty remarkable since I'm still mad and it's been three years. It's for you to decide if that's a good thing.
The dream-like (or nightmarish) style of this book left me not only irritated but deeply anxious. There are enough things in my life I manage to forget to do or that I'm somehow hindered from doing, I really didn't need an extra dose of "I know I should do X, but how about I wander to the other end of town and do somethings else entirely instead". I don't know what's there to like about this book, really. Other people write "It was strange and unpleasant but I loved it" and I really don't see why. (It might have stood a chance if it had had a different ending). In a way, it actually was pretty remarkable since I'm still mad and it's been three years. It's for you to decide if that's a good thing.
The plot of this book was like a Dostoevsky character. It seemed rational, if somewhat melancholy, for large stretches then suddenly it would go do something inexplicable and crazy. This seemed like a mood piece that went on way too long. Reading it made me feel the same sort of confused dissatisfaction (unconsolation?) that seemed to infest the characters.
I really enjoyed this unusual novel which I read for one of my book groups. It is the story of a pianist who is to perform a concert in an unnamed European city. He becomes completely involved in the lives of its citizens and becomes their adviser in all different personal and public matters. It is very well-written and compelling; it was a good choice for book group as there are many aspects to be discussed.
EDIT: I recently reread this and I gotta say, I'm bumping this up a star.
Wow. I was amazed by how much I liked this book, considering things. I know that views on this book are very divided, and yes, it is confusing, nightmarish, nothing is explained, characters act bizarrely, Ryder is somewhat infuriating at times, characters go on long monologues at the drop of the hat, and nothing ever gets done. Still, despite all that, I liked the book and was really absorbed while reading it.
There are many meandering subplots, asides, and monologues throughout the story that interrupt Ryder's progress, but the thing is that the monologues are essential to the story. If you don't have the patience to put up with them, then you won't enjoy the book. Seriously, those things are everywhere, and they're all connected to the larger tapestry of the town itself. Rather than get annoyed at them, it's better to just let yourself sink into the rhythm of the interrupting monologues. This is a book that sort of defies interpretation, so instead of trying to put things together, it's best to 'experience' the book and let things happen.
It's definitely not a book for everyone, but it was a surreal journey, one of the most dreamlike books I read, that I enjoyed.
Wow. I was amazed by how much I liked this book, considering things. I know that views on this book are very divided, and yes, it is confusing, nightmarish, nothing is explained, characters act bizarrely, Ryder is somewhat infuriating at times, characters go on long monologues at the drop of the hat, and nothing ever gets done. Still, despite all that, I liked the book and was really absorbed while reading it.
There are many meandering subplots, asides, and monologues throughout the story that interrupt Ryder's progress, but the thing is that the monologues are essential to the story. If you don't have the patience to put up with them, then you won't enjoy the book. Seriously, those things are everywhere, and they're all connected to the larger tapestry of the town itself. Rather than get annoyed at them, it's better to just let yourself sink into the rhythm of the interrupting monologues. This is a book that sort of defies interpretation, so instead of trying to put things together, it's best to 'experience' the book and let things happen.
It's definitely not a book for everyone, but it was a surreal journey, one of the most dreamlike books I read, that I enjoyed.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
If you want to experience the literary version of a very long anxiety dream, then The Unconsoled is just for you.
The protagonist, Mr Ryder, disembarks in an unnamed European city for the concert of his life. Everyone is expecting such very big things from Mr. Ryder, such vast incalculable things. But what they are, we are never quite sure, for he constantly gets pulled into every single minutiae of the cities citizens.
This continually throws the reader on a non-linear path through the city over 3 days where great distances are travelled, yet a single door can open up to his original location. Mr Ryder is also able to hear conversations between people despite remaining in a vastly different location. Within this dreamlike structure, Ryder encounters characters that are blatant past and future avatars of himself, battles with a disintegrating marriage, and akwardly bumbles through a relationship with his son.
Ishiguro is one of my favourite writers, and this is probably his most divise book. Many bemoan that's its boring and way too long (it is) whilst others champion its brave form and structure. I'm roughly in the middle but have bumped it up to 4 stars as
1) it's Ishiguro, and 2) Although it's a slog and largely impenetrable, the prose is really clear and crisp.
The protagonist, Mr Ryder, disembarks in an unnamed European city for the concert of his life. Everyone is expecting such very big things from Mr. Ryder, such vast incalculable things. But what they are, we are never quite sure, for he constantly gets pulled into every single minutiae of the cities citizens.
This continually throws the reader on a non-linear path through the city over 3 days where great distances are travelled, yet a single door can open up to his original location. Mr Ryder is also able to hear conversations between people despite remaining in a vastly different location. Within this dreamlike structure, Ryder encounters characters that are blatant past and future avatars of himself, battles with a disintegrating marriage, and akwardly bumbles through a relationship with his son.
Ishiguro is one of my favourite writers, and this is probably his most divise book. Many bemoan that's its boring and way too long (it is) whilst others champion its brave form and structure. I'm roughly in the middle but have bumped it up to 4 stars as
1) it's Ishiguro, and 2) Although it's a slog and largely impenetrable, the prose is really clear and crisp.
Based on the reviews I've read, readers of this book seem to fall into two camps:
1. "IT'S GENIUS!"
2. "AHHHHHH!"
And I fall into the second camp for sure. This book is indeed dreamlike but in the most literal/least literary way imaginable. I feel like when that phrase is used in regards to a book, it usually means that it's heavy on magical realism. The Unconsoled (a title I assume is referring to its readers) is like every stress dream I've ever had. As someone who was plagued for YEARS with going-to-be-late/dressed-inappropriately-for-the-occasion/how-come-no-one-else-is-concerned-about-this-urgent-matter dreams, this book fed on whatever deep-seated anxieties I have and made it an incredibly difficult read.
Once I was about half way through, I got used to feeling the needing to re-read every time I thought I'd missed something and just did my best to accept that this book was what it was.
This all being said, it's obviously incredibly we'll done. No one likes to listen to someone tell you about "the weirdest dream they had last night". Hearing someone say, "So I was at my grandma's house but, like, it wasn't my grandma's house?" is boring and meaningless to anyone but the dreamer. Yet I somehow managed to read this entire book and ACTUALLY cared how it ended (SPOILER ALERT: infuriatingly, duh).
If you can handle the anxiety and confusion (have you read Kafka? Did you make it through OK? You'll be fine) I recommend trying this one out. I almost gave up several times but am glad I got through it because it is pretty impressive work even if I do have bald patches where I ripped my hair out.
1. "IT'S GENIUS!"
2. "AHHHHHH!"
And I fall into the second camp for sure. This book is indeed dreamlike but in the most literal/least literary way imaginable. I feel like when that phrase is used in regards to a book, it usually means that it's heavy on magical realism. The Unconsoled (a title I assume is referring to its readers) is like every stress dream I've ever had. As someone who was plagued for YEARS with going-to-be-late/dressed-inappropriately-for-the-occasion/how-come-no-one-else-is-concerned-about-this-urgent-matter dreams, this book fed on whatever deep-seated anxieties I have and made it an incredibly difficult read.
Once I was about half way through, I got used to feeling the needing to re-read every time I thought I'd missed something and just did my best to accept that this book was what it was.
This all being said, it's obviously incredibly we'll done. No one likes to listen to someone tell you about "the weirdest dream they had last night". Hearing someone say, "So I was at my grandma's house but, like, it wasn't my grandma's house?" is boring and meaningless to anyone but the dreamer. Yet I somehow managed to read this entire book and ACTUALLY cared how it ended (SPOILER ALERT: infuriatingly, duh).
If you can handle the anxiety and confusion (have you read Kafka? Did you make it through OK? You'll be fine) I recommend trying this one out. I almost gave up several times but am glad I got through it because it is pretty impressive work even if I do have bald patches where I ripped my hair out.