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jocelynlindsay 's review for:
World Made by Hand
by James Howard Kunstler
First book of the New Year.
Random thoughts in no particular order:
- I liked Kunstler's writing. It was easy to digest. He played on my expectations as a well-read reader and yet managed to throw in some story twists. There were certain places in the story where I knew something was going to happen, but not what. He played on that tension well.
- Parts of this book felt in the vein of a male mid-life crisis story set against a backdrop of a pastoral post-petroleum apocalyptic(?) setting. Protagonist is separated from his family, doesn't know how to move on, isn't sure of his place in society, has been depressed yet content with the status quo of his life up till now, and is pretty naive about the dangers and realities of the world he lives in. By the end he has a hot young woman, a new convertible (donkey), a new job, and a position of authority in the society.
- As a female reader, I didn't connect with any of the female characters. I'm not sure I'm even supposed to. This was very clearly Guy Lit (instead of Chick Lit). I had a whole rant in my head about how not all women would revert to a desperate, pacifist, almost victim, role in society. Especially when the before world is still part of living memory. I can't believe there wasn't a woman in that town who hadn't served as a soldier, a cop, a business owner, a politician, an intellectual, a doctor, a whatever who wouldn't just say "Guess all that's left for me is having babies and making cornbread." But, this is the fictional world Kunstler built, and while his portrayal of women annoyed me, I was able to enjoy the other aspects of the world being explored. Besides, the fat woman seer may turn some of this on its head.
- This was a totally different type of post-apocalyptic novel then what's usually on the shelves.
- This novel isn't a one shot. Several new mysteries are thrown in at the end that leave the story wide open for continuation. One of these mysteries left me scratching my head because of the potential introduction of a supernatural element in a storyline that had nothing of the sort for the first 90%.
- I'll read the sequel. Maybe not immediately. Four stars because I'm intrigued enough that I'm willing to continue with #2.
Random thoughts in no particular order:
- I liked Kunstler's writing. It was easy to digest. He played on my expectations as a well-read reader and yet managed to throw in some story twists. There were certain places in the story where I knew something was going to happen, but not what. He played on that tension well.
- Parts of this book felt in the vein of a male mid-life crisis story set against a backdrop of a pastoral post-petroleum apocalyptic(?) setting. Protagonist is separated from his family, doesn't know how to move on, isn't sure of his place in society, has been depressed yet content with the status quo of his life up till now, and is pretty naive about the dangers and realities of the world he lives in. By the end he has a hot young woman, a new convertible (donkey), a new job, and a position of authority in the society.
- As a female reader, I didn't connect with any of the female characters. I'm not sure I'm even supposed to. This was very clearly Guy Lit (instead of Chick Lit). I had a whole rant in my head about how not all women would revert to a desperate, pacifist, almost victim, role in society. Especially when the before world is still part of living memory. I can't believe there wasn't a woman in that town who hadn't served as a soldier, a cop, a business owner, a politician, an intellectual, a doctor, a whatever who wouldn't just say "Guess all that's left for me is having babies and making cornbread." But, this is the fictional world Kunstler built, and while his portrayal of women annoyed me, I was able to enjoy the other aspects of the world being explored. Besides, the fat woman seer may turn some of this on its head.
- This was a totally different type of post-apocalyptic novel then what's usually on the shelves.
- This novel isn't a one shot. Several new mysteries are thrown in at the end that leave the story wide open for continuation. One of these mysteries left me scratching my head because of the potential introduction of a supernatural element in a storyline that had nothing of the sort for the first 90%.
- I'll read the sequel. Maybe not immediately. Four stars because I'm intrigued enough that I'm willing to continue with #2.