Reviews

The Impressionist by Hari Kunzru

delsbree's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

sfstagewalker's review

3.0

I feel like this is a book that may get a higher rating upon re-read. I think that expectations may have impeded things, as I was not expecting the novel to take place almost entirely in the character's adolescence, and the quotes on the cover made it feel more like a comedy than a darkly satirical look at race, class, and the warping effect of the British Empire in particular on everything it came in touch with. So, this is one that will stay on my shelves and will likely be revisited, even though it didn't really grab me on its first outing.

sunsetsandstories's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

solaana's review

...yeah I don't know. This book came along at the same time as White Teeth, and suffered for it.

xystophi's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

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

4.25

chloenrogers's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

sarahreadsaverylot's review

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

5.0

tessaays's review

4.0

Oof, this is a cracker of a book. Salman Rushdie meets Louis de Bernières. So vivid and beautiful, the reach-out-and-touch-it kind of writing. Agree with other reviewers that the ending feels a bit heavy-handed, but overall - I would definitely read more of Kunzru’s work.

adag's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

1.0

oceanwader's review

5.0

Gorgeous writing. Stunning storytelling.
This book will stay with me for a long while. Unforgettable.