Reviews

Endless Things by John Crowley

aleffert's review

4.0

The rest of this series is wonderful, this book is merely lush. It was part of the story within the story that the conclusion had to fall flat and with the way that story reflects itself into the actual series, those flaws had to somehow propagate into the novel itself. That said, this book felt like a bit of a chore and I feel like he could have done more to mitigate. What plot there was in the first three books has basically ended by the start of this volume and most of the characters you like or care about are barely in it. At some point he actually describes the flaws of the book, (pretending to describe a different book), and so he clearly knew what he was doing.

Despite its problems, there are still some delightful bits, the prose is gorgeous and it is a fitting end to Aegypt if not exactly what I would have wanted.

kingofblades113's review

emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

murfman's review

challenging emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review

5.0

This whole series is something that you need to read more than once. I think this coda is a little weak for a reason and focuses on Pierce for a reason. In many ways, the story echoes life and the stories that we tie in life. And that, even here in this last book, is still strong. I think that is way it is a little weak. Its the aftermath.

coffeeandink's review

3.0

Crowley's prose is as beautiful as ever, but something I can't quite define about this coda bothers me. Perhaps it's how it's so much Pierce's story (Rosie and Sam have vanished into their own happy endings). Perhaps it's how oddly solipsic Pierce is, despite his wide-ranging mind. On the first read, anyway, it's the least satisfying of the quartet.

From another writer it would still be a four or five, because of the gorgeous prose, the gorgeous structures of thought, but it's John Crowley; I expect more.