Reviews

Solar Bones by Mike McCormack

nathancunn's review

2.0

Ughh, this book really bugged me. I feel like I might've enjoyed it had it not been for how the book is written; this book is all one long sentence. Not one sentence in the sense that it's all one coherent idea, one sentence in the sense that there are no periods or question marks or basically any other form of punctuation. Here's an example line from the book, (quotation marks my own, because that's another thing this book doesn't believe in):

"You could have told me and what could you have done I should have known"

If that line makes no sense to you it's because that's actually dialogue between two people and you have to work out who's saying what. Why, exactly?

Yet this book seems to be receiving praise on the back of this 'innovation'. If you're into narrative-driven books with interesting plots, stay clear. On the other hand, if all you're looking for is a book which 'experiments with form' then this is probably the book for you.

stephibabes's review

5.0

This book is expansive, cosmic and ethereal, and also deeply mundane, intricate and banal. McCormack is a skilled and gifted writer and there are passages that feel like poetry.

Our narrator comes to and gives us a tour de force of stream of consciousness and reflecting on the past. It is huge in its scope, whilst also being so utterly small and personal. It conjures all sorts of feelings, from claustrophobia to vastness.

I was beguiled by this book. The audiobook was fantastic, but I reckon the written would also be great to read. I think I might have to check out more McCormack in the future. Another fantastic Irish writer to add to those I have enjoyed recently.

I borrowed this audiobook via Libby from my local library. Support your local library!

lokuttara's review

5.0

In a word; genius. Not always entertaining, not always interesting or easy going but absolutely worth the effort.

vhgunter's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

creadsagain's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

davebees's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad

4.5

carolinb87's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

kingarooski's review

3.0

A single sentence, if it can be called that composed of Marcus' thoughts in a stream of consciousness, though often in a rambling way, but aren't all our thoughts? I liked it but found the book dull in places.

in_atoms's review

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.5

sohxpie's review

4.0

An utterly fascinating read that I initially picked up because of the unique writing style. A book with no proper sentences is always bound to get your attention, what I wasn't quite expecting was a lack of chapters as well. I wasn't sure when I could end a reading session! I found this book to be quite poetic, it was actually enjoyable to read. Something I was a little surprised at as I wasn't sure how it would work. I did find some of the sections a little too ramble-y, I think the lack of a sentence structure did make the larger paragraphs hard to follow at times. I really enjoyed the story as well, something I also wasn't expecting. There were times where I wasn't quite sure what was happening at the time in the novel, but I think what hindered me was not knowing enough about Irish culture which meant that I didn't get the wider picture in the novel until quite late on. I am for once grateful that the back of my copy had more reviews than synopsis, as it would seem that some synopsis' give quite a few spoilers. A fantastic novel that I am really glad I discovered.