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3.1 AVERAGE
3.1 AVERAGE
Memorandum from the Iowa Cloud Appreciation Society is an immersive look into the depths of one man's mind and his thoughts on life. This was a pleasant read, but a little bit too ramble-y for my taste. Definitely great for anyone who wants to really dive into a singular narrative over the course of a few hours.
Thank you to University of Iowa Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to University of Iowa Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5
Excellent character study, but enjoyment depends on whether if you connect with the said character. There's nothing to fault quality-wise when it comes to Memorandum from the Iowa Cloud Appreciation Society, the writing is sharply observant, melancholic, and not afraid to be charmingly fantastical at times. Stylistically it has shades of Haruki Murakami and Fredrik Backman. The novel is intentionally plot-less; we follow the protagonist's stream of consciousness as he waits for his delayed flight. His train of thought bounces from architecture, human behavior, to personal relationship and childhood trauma. Unlike stories of Murakami or Backman, where the plot can be surreal and zany, or have a large cast of character to represent different perspectives, in Memorandum from the Iowa Cloud Appreciation Society, we are exclusively in the head of a middle-age, single, Midwestern White man with a corporate job; the specificity is perfectly rendered, but for reader (like me) who is in a different age bracket, and has a vastly different upbringing, there's very little element to resonate. Overall, a well-crafted piece of literature with some beautiful moments, but might not have the widest appeal.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
Excellent character study, but enjoyment depends on whether if you connect with the said character. There's nothing to fault quality-wise when it comes to Memorandum from the Iowa Cloud Appreciation Society, the writing is sharply observant, melancholic, and not afraid to be charmingly fantastical at times. Stylistically it has shades of Haruki Murakami and Fredrik Backman. The novel is intentionally plot-less; we follow the protagonist's stream of consciousness as he waits for his delayed flight. His train of thought bounces from architecture, human behavior, to personal relationship and childhood trauma. Unlike stories of Murakami or Backman, where the plot can be surreal and zany, or have a large cast of character to represent different perspectives, in Memorandum from the Iowa Cloud Appreciation Society, we are exclusively in the head of a middle-age, single, Midwestern White man with a corporate job; the specificity is perfectly rendered, but for reader (like me) who is in a different age bracket, and has a vastly different upbringing, there's very little element to resonate. Overall, a well-crafted piece of literature with some beautiful moments, but might not have the widest appeal.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**