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rbreade's review against another edition
Lethem is one of those writers I'll read even if only for the language and the ideas, both of which are on display here in abundance. If the story lacks urgency--and it does--the prose acts as a countervailing force to keep me reading. Protagonist Chase Insteadman's friendship with don't-call-him-a-music-critic Perkus Tooth is the main course and through it the plot meanders, always seeming on the precipice of boiling over into significance but never quite crossing that line. I appreciate the subtle playing with simulated worlds theory--nothing ham-fisted here--but wish it might have risen just a bit more in importance to the story. The gigantic tiger, "a second-story tiger," that stalks the pages, off-camera, for the most part, is a nice magical realist touch that, when finally seen on an empty, snowy Manhattan street, delivers a jolt of the irreal to both the characters who see it and the reader.
kidclamp's review against another edition
3.0
I think I liked it, but I don't think I quite got it. The backdrop of a post 9/11 Manhattan had the right feel, but this book reminded me of Dhalgren in that it seemed to question reality and offer no revelations.
jervonyc's review against another edition
3.0
Lethem does marvelous things with language, and he outdoes himself in this very Pynchon-esque tale of strange-named people in a bizarre, fictional mirror image of NYC. And yet, now that I'm finished with it, I don't really know *why* this book had to be written. Nothing particularly interesting happens, and none of the characters themselves are particularly interesting, aside from their quirky personalities.
teelalabrum's review against another edition
1.0
Read Motherless Brooklyn or Fortress of Solitude instead.
patkohn's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
danchibnall's review against another edition
2.0
I know this book got some high praise, but it was simply not my kind of book. The characters seemed pretty empty to me. I had no real interest in any of them. The characters seemed to exist simply so Lethem could describe them. His writing skills are excellent, but this story really didn't go anywhere for me.
letsreadmorebooks's review against another edition
4.0
this is my first jonathan lethem novel. he's a fantastic writer. the story is quirky and strange and i love the way lethem uses words. this is one of the more intelligent works of fiction i've read in a while. i look forward to reading more of his books.
bookhouseboi's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ich würde es gerne mehr mögen, als ich es tatsächlich tu. Schaut lieber David Robert Mitchells "Under the Silver Lake" für einen ähnlich irren Plot, der deutlich besser funktioniert.