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__ceecee__'s Reviews (414)
I am starting to be resentful of these twists, but I admit I also like being "one-upped" by Poirot
I read this first without knowing it was part of a series, but it still works as a standalone. Brilliant writing and world-building. It sucked me into its world effortlessly.
Not really a fan of the "tortured artist meets his muse" trope, although the ending was done really well that it tugged at my heartstrings. If this was simply a book about an artist going to all lengths for his art, like, say, Whiplash, I could have liked it more. But the relationship aspect of it with his muse just left a bad taste in my mouth. Not to say that the characterizations weren't good, and a pretty good use of unlikable characters too. It was a pretty good depiction of mental health. Just wish David's development as a character/human being wasn't so tied with his love story. In 2015 the manic pixie dream girl trope was already on its way out (have we learned nothing from 500 Days of Summer?); everything else in the story was relevant in 2023 except this one.
Brilliant art work, so-so storytelling. The premise had a lot of potential but it wasn't fully fleshed out. *3.5 stars
Spoiler
Chris's obsession over his dead son felt rushed and not fully fleshed out. He basically drove his family into poverty but his wife still let him come back. They needed to communicate better anyway. It's all so messy.
I found it an important literature in the western world though not to be taken as the sole representation of revolutionary Iran. Keep in mind this is a memoir, and though her life was relatively sheltered, Satrapi's voice is distinct, candid, thoughtful, heartfelt, and painted a very humane picture of Iran in the 1980s, constituting a gamut of characters in all social classes.
I suppose Sadie's arc was much more well-rounded, as I truly saw her mature across 30 years. But those pivotal moments were jump cuts. Like when she developed a relationship with Marx, or when she realized her toxic relationship with Dov after the fact. If Marx and Zoe didnt practically force Sam and Sadie to move to California, would things have changed? Convenient plot point to get the story going, but not much to delve into the characters themselves.
Sam was still clueless and socially inept by the end ("Why do you think we never got together?") so what was the point? Seriously, Sam, you're still hung up on that?
I guess if you view this novel as a love letter to gaming, its popularity would make much more sense. But to see this as a character-driven novel, when much of the characters are cookie-cutter, self-inserts and not at all compelling, would only lead to disappointment.
It was an ok novel. I guess when I think of character-driven novels, I think about Carson McCullers' "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter", and this just doesnt compare.
Sam was still clueless and socially inept by the end ("Why do you think we never got together?") so what was the point? Seriously, Sam, you're still hung up on that?
I guess if you view this novel as a love letter to gaming, its popularity would make much more sense. But to see this as a character-driven novel, when much of the characters are cookie-cutter, self-inserts and not at all compelling, would only lead to disappointment.
It was an ok novel. I guess when I think of character-driven novels, I think about Carson McCullers' "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter", and this just doesnt compare.
