Reviews

Life Among Giants by Bill Roorbach

angelamichelle's review against another edition

3.0

Cool set up, crazy characters, good voice. But for me kind of a tangled mess that i didn't care enough about as it finally unraveled in a sort of anticlimactic way. One of those things where we all could have had one 10-minute conversation 20 years ago and saved ourselves all the drama.

[Super tall teenager lives across a pond from the estate of a rock star and ballerina. His con-artist dad gets murdered after going states evidence for some kind of finance scheme. Who did it and why? Obviously it's all connected.]

candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition

3.0

I'm sort of conflicted about this book, which I thought was beautifully written but strangely plotted. There's a shocking and heartbreaking mystery at the center of the story, if only Roorback got to it. Instead there is a lot of fuss all around it, lead by unconvincing characters. I never bought the lovely dancer Sylphide and her rocker husband. I did believe Lizard, his parents, and the mystery of family. Note that I read this novel in galley form so some changes may be forthcoming.

maddierasmussen's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.25

bigbeardedguy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

posie's review against another edition

3.0

Read this one in 3 days while on vacation. It was interesting but rambly. I didn’t get enough emotion from any of the characters to love it. The end was tied up in a very pretty bow. (Insert thumbs down emoji here.)

kategci's review against another edition

3.0

I am going to hear this author at the end of September and wanted to read this novel. It seemed to really be my type of book: A tall football player is a witness to his parents murder, grows up, plays in the NFL and opens a restaurant all the while still trying to get some justice for his parents. I did enjoy it, but kept picking it up and putting it down. I think it was too big in scope as there are a great many side stories and characters. At times, I was waiting for some action, but the expository writing was well done. I am glad I finished it.

mariesreads's review against another edition

3.0

Not what I was expecting--I thought there would be more of the revenge plot. But we just sort of coast through the story with Lizard, seemingly as he recalls it. I like that device, and Lizard is an enjoyable narrator. "Enjoyable" is probably the best word for this book.

apasc's review against another edition

4.0

http://sessastories.tumblr.com/post/82857347716/book-story-this-book-is-written-by-another

teriboop's review

4.0

A great read that completely sucks you in. I would not have read Life Among Giants by Bill Roorbach, but it was a book club read from a local talk show San Antonio Living. I am glad it was picked and that I read along. Very similar type of book to Girl Gone. I had a few issues with going back and forth between past reflections and present time, but once I got the hang of it, I got wrapped up in it. The last 50 pages or so were page turners. This is a book to remind you to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

talreadsbooks's review against another edition

 I tried, I really did, but I couldn't get past the first chapter...the book is written in the first person but the person telling the story seemed so disinterested in what he's witnessing that I couldn't get interested either.