Reviews

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber

eoinmonty's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

outoftheblue14's review against another edition

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4.0

Un libro molto diverso da "Il petalo cremisi e il bianco", ma che mi ha molto colpito.

Peter Leigh, giovane sacerdote missionario inglese con un passato da alcolista e tossicodipendente, viene scelto dalla misteriosa organizzazione USIC per partecipare a una missione nello spazio. Il suo compito sarà evangelizzare i nativi del pianeta Oasi. Peter è entusiasta della sua missione, ma un po' combattuto per il fatto di dover lasciare a casa la giovane moglie Beatrice, infermiera.

La missione di Peter rivela risvolti inaspettati. Dalla Terra, però, i messaggi della moglie gli portano notizie di un mondo sull'orlo della catastrofe (terremoti, esplosioni, tsunami, intere isole cancellate). E la distanza tra marito e moglie aumenta sempre più.

Un romanzo molto interessante, anche se in alcuni punti molto denso concettualmente (non invoglia a leggerlo tutto d'un fiato, dopo cento pagine sentivo il bisogno di fare una pausa e leggere qualcos'altro). La lingua dei nativi è assolutamente incomprensibile (e questo, probabilmente, era l'intento dell'autore).

Attenzione: verso la fine del romanzo, un animale domestico molto amato incontra una fine orribile. Intendo davvero orribile. Così orribile che dopo aver chiuso il libro non riuscivo più a dormire e continuavo a immaginare il micio di casa che faceva la stessa fine. Argh.

jmitch28's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

caitlinhume's review against another edition

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5.0

I think this book gaslit me into an acid trip.

sometimesiread11's review

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slow-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No

2.25

angus_mckeogh's review against another edition

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4.0

So with this book I had the exact opposite experience as opposed to most of the other fiction I've recently finished. I've been underwhelmed with some of Michel Faber's previous novels so I fully expected another dose of overhyped mediocrity; however, I found this book engaging, extremely interesting, and well worth the read. Perhaps if just a little more fantastic ending was tacked onto the book I would've given it a full 5 stars. That being said, still one of the best novels I've read in months.

johnbyers1500's review against another edition

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challenging emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Couch Lummi 

dannykane's review against another edition

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You get the sense that the author has never had a normal conversation in his life. It’s terribly misogynistic, and not even to prove a point, just in a badly written way. He’s also obsessed with ‘quivering butts’, erect penises and other painfully awkward descriptions. Read Station 11 by Emily St John Mandell instead 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kalkn's review

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1.0

Did not finish. Couldn't get into the story. Didn't care what was happening. Book was a whole lot of nothing.

leserdtke's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad

3.75