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its_kievan's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
About 150 pages of the best political writing that I've ever read. Unfortunately, it's buried beneath another 350 pages of mind-numbing nonsense about What It All Means and an insanely tedious romance between a rambling sociopath and a woman who's hit so hard by the Madonna-whore complex that it feels like satire. So, y'know, mixed feelings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Gun violence
pizzapie's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
3.5
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
5.0
First things first: the book is DATED. It is sexist and racist and set in a desperately poor rural America that lacks running water and electricity and, duh, the enlightening power of the internet.
It is also wordy and overwritten. Except when that dense scrim of prose produces a beautiful few sentences like these: "I knew how the play would come out. This was like the dress rehearsal after the show has closed down."
And though it's typically described as a "thinly disguised" portrait of Huey Long, it is about Jack Burden and the many compromises he makes.
I was hundreds of pages along before I realized that Jack's "loyalty" was just a positive spin on behavior that is kindly described as "amoral".
At that point, he felt as trustworthy as a used car dealer. And because it's unpleasant to spend time with such a manipulative character, I couldn't wait for the book to end. I found the happy resolution unpersuasive, but didn't much care.
It was like wading across the Mississippi River. I was tripping over filthy bottles, disentangling plastic fishing nets from my legs, and hoping that the toxic detritus of oil refineries would not do permanent damage.
I turned the last page and wanted a long hot shower.
It is also wordy and overwritten. Except when that dense scrim of prose produces a beautiful few sentences like these: "I knew how the play would come out. This was like the dress rehearsal after the show has closed down."
And though it's typically described as a "thinly disguised" portrait of Huey Long, it is about Jack Burden and the many compromises he makes.
I was hundreds of pages along before I realized that Jack's "loyalty" was just a positive spin on behavior that is kindly described as "amoral".
At that point, he felt as trustworthy as a used car dealer. And because it's unpleasant to spend time with such a manipulative character, I couldn't wait for the book to end. I found the happy resolution unpersuasive, but didn't much care.
It was like wading across the Mississippi River. I was tripping over filthy bottles, disentangling plastic fishing nets from my legs, and hoping that the toxic detritus of oil refineries would not do permanent damage.
I turned the last page and wanted a long hot shower.
noahbrittenham's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
lspargo's review against another edition
3.0
Politics have been in the news so much lately that I think it was good timing for me to read this book. A good story, but a bit dull at times.
littlelady_28's review against another edition
3.0
This was a sad novel about the rise and fall of southern politician Willie Stark, told from the perspective of his friend and employee, Jack. It was tough to decide if Jack was a good friend for sticking by Willie when he was selfish and shady, or if that fact made him a complete ass. Eventually Willie is murdered, but its not a typical, wrap it up ending since his death so negatively impacts his friends and acquaintances. Yet from his death, other characters move on and grow emotionally.
This is a tough book to rate. I did not particularly enjoy reading it because it had a tediously slow plot line and times was a bit boring. Some of the political stuff also confused me. However, when I finished, I felt like I had just read a great piece of literature. I give it a B-.
This is a tough book to rate. I did not particularly enjoy reading it because it had a tediously slow plot line and times was a bit boring. Some of the political stuff also confused me. However, when I finished, I felt like I had just read a great piece of literature. I give it a B-.
tannercurtis's review against another edition
Maybe it’s rude to give three stars to a classic, Pulitzer Prize winning novel that’s beautifully written but I just couldn’t get through it. I stopped about 140 pages shy of the end. Maybe it’s the “restored edition” that makes this feel so long winded and exhausting? I still loved many moments in the writing, particularly the debate over being a participant vs observer and the nature or God and knowledge. Maybe I’ll come back to finish one day.