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A review by alexanderjd
Lanark: A Life in Four Books by Alasdair Gray
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.75
My initial takeaway is that I need to start writing notes as I read for books 300+ pages long, because I’ve forgotten half of the more specific thoughts I had on different chapters/books.
Second, the structure of this is beyond ambitious. And for the most part, pays off (which again, considering just how ambitious it was, is good enough for me).
Book 1 was definitely my favourite, haven’t read an author capture a lot of actual childhood feeling like that in a long time. Thaw’s sections also hold an amazing line about grief that I think bumped this up by a full .25 of a star. Another thing - anytime I did find myself aware of a flaw, seconds later I’d be reading one of the best bits of prose I’ve ever read in my life. Seriously, the timing was uncanny.
Very glad he spent 30 years on this. Really looking forward to reading Poor Things.
Second, the structure of this is beyond ambitious. And for the most part, pays off (which again, considering just how ambitious it was, is good enough for me).
Book 1 was definitely my favourite, haven’t read an author capture a lot of actual childhood feeling like that in a long time. Thaw’s sections also hold an amazing line about grief that I think bumped this up by a full .25 of a star. Another thing - anytime I did find myself aware of a flaw, seconds later I’d be reading one of the best bits of prose I’ve ever read in my life. Seriously, the timing was uncanny.
Very glad he spent 30 years on this. Really looking forward to reading Poor Things.