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ttodd86's review against another edition
5.0
As a reader who is essentially the same age as protagonist Kevin Quinn I found a lot of this book to ring true. He is an honest character, although one I did not particularly find likable for about the first third of the book. This part was only the rough outline of Kevin, which Hynes fills in masterfully to create a fully developed character who I found myself caring about as much as any fictional character by the final page. Very well done.
hoboken's review against another edition
2.0
Couldn't get into it although I enjoyed Kings of Infinite Space and loved the Lecturer's Tale. Maybe the descriptions of soul-destroying heat in Texas (where I lived for 17 years) were too much or else I couldn't take that much of the middle-aged sadsack endlessly moping over his old girlfriends and repeating the same stupid mistakes. Plus I don't think Hynes has Nicholson Baker's ear for minutiae.
karenleagermain's review against another edition
4.0
James Hynes' novel "Next" is very different than any book that I have read recently. It is very micro in story, but very macro in themes. The story follows the main character, Kevin, as he travels to Austin for a job interview. The entire story takes place in one morning/early afternoon from when he is on his flight until just prior to the interview. It is done in real time, following his every step as he has time to kill in Austin prior to the interview. Kevin encounters some trouble, but a lot of the story is very mundane/slice of life, until an epic final 20-30 pages of the novel, where it ends with a huge twist.
At first, I thought the novel was brilliant. Hynes does a great job at telling the story of a man in the middle of a midlife crisis and major changes. Kevin is a character who is reflecting on his life, but who lacks self awareness. Hynes does not spare any of the ugliness in Kevin. He feels real and honest. I found myself quickly absorbed in Kevin's life and I loved the details in the story, often times reading like stage directions. I found many of the statements in the novel to be profound.
However, what makes the book brilliant, also bogs it down. Hynes has written pages and pages of Kevin's rambling stream of concious. It becomes tedious and damages the pacing of the story. I felt like it undermined what was so creative and good about the story. I read in the authors notes that the story is almost like a blog entry and I totally agree. It feels very much like a rant in many parts of the story and I felt like those parts were the weakest.
At first, I thought the novel was brilliant. Hynes does a great job at telling the story of a man in the middle of a midlife crisis and major changes. Kevin is a character who is reflecting on his life, but who lacks self awareness. Hynes does not spare any of the ugliness in Kevin. He feels real and honest. I found myself quickly absorbed in Kevin's life and I loved the details in the story, often times reading like stage directions. I found many of the statements in the novel to be profound.
However, what makes the book brilliant, also bogs it down. Hynes has written pages and pages of Kevin's rambling stream of concious. It becomes tedious and damages the pacing of the story. I felt like it undermined what was so creative and good about the story. I read in the authors notes that the story is almost like a blog entry and I totally agree. It feels very much like a rant in many parts of the story and I felt like those parts were the weakest.
caitpoytress's review against another edition
3.0
A huge shout out to all GR reviewers who mentioned how stellar the last section of the book was. I've had a severe case of reading ADD this year and have abandoned more than my fair share of books because I wasn't enthralled from page one. I might have done it with this book too, but I was encouraged by the "it gets better" theme running through many of the reviews. It did get better, although it wasn't until about halfway through (right around the lunch scene at the mexican restaurant) that I felt like I was fully engaged and invested in the story. And they were right about the ending. Part 3 of this book ripped out my insides, just absolutely fucking gutted me.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book because of the Morning News Tournament of Books. I don't know if I would ever have picked up a book by James Hynes without the Tournament. I am still undecided about the book, but I will say that Hynes writing is excellent. Most of the book takes place outside in Austin, Texas and I could feel the heat as I read the book.
I also eventually found Kevin Quinn to be a sympathetic character. When I started the book, Quinn was not a man I liked and I wasn't sure if I would finish the book. However, Hynes managed to keep me interested and I am glad that I read Next. I just don't know what I am supposed to take away from this story. What exactly is Hynes trying to tell me?
I also eventually found Kevin Quinn to be a sympathetic character. When I started the book, Quinn was not a man I liked and I wasn't sure if I would finish the book. However, Hynes managed to keep me interested and I am glad that I read Next. I just don't know what I am supposed to take away from this story. What exactly is Hynes trying to tell me?
moirastone's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Wow. Wow. I moved through impatience, fascination, fear, boredom, lust and anger. Then shock and terror and awe. What the hell, I ask myself, was that?
(NB: The mood of this book was a perfect match to the drumbeat of impending doom that has been beating in New York City in the last pre-Irene 24 hours. Serendipity.)
(NB: The mood of this book was a perfect match to the drumbeat of impending doom that has been beating in New York City in the last pre-Irene 24 hours. Serendipity.)
literatetexan's review against another edition
5.0
A man goes to Austin, TX for a job interview. While he's waiting for the interview, he recalls his various relationships with the women (and a few of the men) in his life. The entire plot, in the present, anyway, takes place over six hours or so, but it's a dynamite read. Hynes transitions from flashback to the present and back so artfully that you never lose your place or wind up confused. I've read three of Hynes' novels now--, Next, and The Lecturer's Tale, and Next is far and away my favorite.
pbobrit's review against another edition
2.0
This was really odd book. It wasn't badly written as such, it just didn't seem to know what it wanted to be. The first 2/3's are your standard guy in a midlife crisis type novel and then the last 50 pages takes a bizarre and extreme turn, that really doesn't make much sense. I wonder if it was because he'd run out of an ending with the path he'd been on writing it, or if there was some deeper meaning to it. Either way it didn't ring true.
joelevard's review against another edition
4.0
WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO GET TO THE FIREWORKS FACTORY?
...
Oh.
...
Oh.