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A review by keithmac
Big Machine by Victor LaValle
5.0
Phenomenally interesting and original read. Apart from some well-worn writing cliches scattered throughout, I thought the story itself was great and kept my interest through to the end. It starts a little slow and quite mainstream, but halfway through the book, things start to happen that make you suddenly lock in and all of a sudden you're unable to put the book down. It has aspects of surrealism and shockingly violent scenes that mix in well with the ordinary day-to-day struggles of our dear protagonist.
Our protagonist? A fellow named Ricky Rice, a down-on-his-luck recovering heroin addict who, let's suffice to say, is looking for something more meaningful in his life and a way to get out of his present crappy situation. He's immensely likeable and you can't help but root for him.
Overall - the book has some stretches where you really want to just speedread through, but in the end I'm pleased and glad I picked this one up.
EDIT: I'm adding a postscript here to say that this book has really grown on me in the months since I finished reading it. It's hardly one of those books you put down and forget. It really stays with you. A fine-wine thing, maybe?
Our protagonist? A fellow named Ricky Rice, a down-on-his-luck recovering heroin addict who, let's suffice to say, is looking for something more meaningful in his life and a way to get out of his present crappy situation. He's immensely likeable and you can't help but root for him.
Overall - the book has some stretches where you really want to just speedread through, but in the end I'm pleased and glad I picked this one up.
EDIT: I'm adding a postscript here to say that this book has really grown on me in the months since I finished reading it. It's hardly one of those books you put down and forget. It really stays with you. A fine-wine thing, maybe?