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thebobsphere's review against another edition
5.0
Like Ali Smith, Nicola Barker inhabits that space where she can write a complex novel and make it seem so easy and fun. Clear is no exception. In fact I whizzed through clear and had a great time reading it.
It’s 2003 and magician David Blaine is just a few days into his trick, Above the Below, where he stayed 44 days in a glass case over the Thames.
The narrator of the book is Adair Graham MacKenny, who initially uses the situation to sleep with women but then he is acought out and embarks on a relationship with Aphra. Trust me, it becomes complicated.
In this journey, Adair learns about identity, suffering, race relations, Jack Schaefer’s Shane and … Dizzee Rascal and white appropriation. As I said there’s a lot going on here and I could easily dedicate a paragraph to each of the various themes.
Ultimately, Adair really wants to know why Blaine is going through all this and he comes to the realisation that it’s because Blaine wants to be transparent as the box he’s in. By this not disappear but become someone who can be seen through – the ultimate open human.
I had tons of fun reading Clear, Nicola Barker knows how to capture the idiosyncrasies of the human race and get a good laugh out of the reader. Every page has a surprise and it works as a solid read – once you get used to the style.
jesswebs's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
pbobrit's review against another edition
4.0
Another good book from Nicola Barker, but once again as with Darkmans the ending was a little dissatisfying. But as with Darkmans the characters are great, well written and engaging and she has you sucked in to the story from an early point. I would still recommend reading this.
kingtoad's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katrinepoetry's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely one of the weirder books I've ever read, yet so addictive! I very much liked the play with space within the novel and the free flowing thoughts of the character (who was perhaps even more odd than the plot itself).
aoibhmc's review against another edition
3.0
I love Nicola Barker . Would have given this a 3.5 but went with the 3 as a bit confusing and I had no real desire to find out what happened next.However as usual her prose and dialogue was excellent.
schez's review against another edition
3.0
Erm... I found this hard going. After the first few pages, I thought I was going to give up. I found it hard to find a pace with so many brackets and side tracks.
However, the story as a whole, was worth the perseverance.
The author's style is snappy and upbeat, strong narrative etc with some well fleshed out characters but there were just too many times I felt lost.
Some interesting thoughts/concepts but a book that I wouldn't read again.
However, the story as a whole, was worth the perseverance.
The author's style is snappy and upbeat, strong narrative etc with some well fleshed out characters but there were just too many times I felt lost.
Some interesting thoughts/concepts but a book that I wouldn't read again.
jeremyhornik's review against another edition
4.0
There’s a book now I’ve read two of, where fictional characters are draped over a non-fiction setting. It’s kind of like historical fiction, without any distance. Kerry Howley’s book ”Thrown,” about MMA fighters, is one. This one is another.
In Howley’s book, she replaces herself with a fictional character. In this one, she becomes a set of fictional characters doing plot kind of things, all musing about David Blaine in the shadow of his fasting in a clear box stunt. The effect is like art criticism that’s expressed through drama. The characters, eccentric and fascinating, never seem quite real. That’s not a problem, though. They seem more like arguments that go around flirting and lusting and gossiping, which brings them to life.
Not living people, but living ideas. With interesting shoe preferences. Or maybe, a diary in a hall of mirrors.
I can’t quite get my fingers around what she is saying about Blaine, but it’s more interesting for its slipperiness. Blaine’s an interesting artist. Magicians dare you to interpret their work: the most high mystery and the most arrant fakery, the combination is like seeing the same thing through two lenses at once.
Good stuff. Filthy, by the way.
In Howley’s book, she replaces herself with a fictional character. In this one, she becomes a set of fictional characters doing plot kind of things, all musing about David Blaine in the shadow of his fasting in a clear box stunt. The effect is like art criticism that’s expressed through drama. The characters, eccentric and fascinating, never seem quite real. That’s not a problem, though. They seem more like arguments that go around flirting and lusting and gossiping, which brings them to life.
Not living people, but living ideas. With interesting shoe preferences. Or maybe, a diary in a hall of mirrors.
I can’t quite get my fingers around what she is saying about Blaine, but it’s more interesting for its slipperiness. Blaine’s an interesting artist. Magicians dare you to interpret their work: the most high mystery and the most arrant fakery, the combination is like seeing the same thing through two lenses at once.
Good stuff. Filthy, by the way.
jorvikreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
schopflin's review against another edition
4.0
Funny, clever and just the tiniest bit surprisingly touching. Some memorable Big Characters providing foil for the narrator ... But don't expect to love anyone!