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beafromoon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I noticed now that I finished reading the book exatcly one month after the author passed away, which makes the ending even more weird.
This book was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and I never expected to like it this much. The storytelling is really compelling and even if the author repeats the same thought in three different sentences, you find yourself enjoying the repetition. Even if you know the direction the plot is going, you will always be suprised with the turns and twists it does.
However, it is not a story for everyone. It is a really emotional and sad story with a lot of suffering and misery. If I had to describe most of the story with just a few words it would be "self-destructive behavior". Be prepared because there also some very graphic parts. Lets say that the romance in this book is always very fast paced.
The last sentence of the book finished it perfectly. I love when books end like that. Also, after all those twists, metaphors and philosophies, the title "The Book of Illusions" makes you wonder if all of that was truly real.
This book was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and I never expected to like it this much. The storytelling is really compelling and even if the author repeats the same thought in three different sentences, you find yourself enjoying the repetition. Even if you know the direction the plot is going, you will always be suprised with the turns and twists it does.
However, it is not a story for everyone. It is a really emotional and sad story with a lot of suffering and misery. If I had to describe most of the story with just a few words it would be "self-destructive behavior". Be prepared because there also some very graphic parts. Lets say that the romance in this book is always very fast paced.
The last sentence of the book finished it perfectly. I love when books end like that. Also, after all those twists, metaphors and philosophies, the title "The Book of Illusions" makes you wonder if all of that was truly real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Alcoholism, and Murder
cemoses's review against another edition
2.0
Too slow, Also I did not think the using the first person was effective or realistic
fbroom's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. It is such a Paul Auster classic. Paul Auster has his ways of luring you in with his words. He is a natural story teller and once the story starts, I find it very hard to just let go or stop reading / listening. You never know where the story is going with Paul Auster. There is always some new start where anything possible. There is mystery and there is also adventure. You can tell I’m a huge fan already, it’s getting ridiculous. But seriously though, I loved it.
I’ve listened to this on audible and Paul Auster is the perfect narrator to his books. It was awesome to be able to listen to this narrated by the author himself! I made sure to only listen for hour a day and not anymore so that it doesn’t end quickly!
I’ve listened to this on audible and Paul Auster is the perfect narrator to his books. It was awesome to be able to listen to this narrated by the author himself! I made sure to only listen for hour a day and not anymore so that it doesn’t end quickly!
kjellouise's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alsal29's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
signes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
adburman's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sandygx260's review against another edition
1.0
May 20th: Oh Lordy, another book with no "" around the dialog. Sigh. At least the story seems intriguing. Yes, this book is another in my "Reading NYT Bestsellers" crapshoot game.
May 23: Intriguing turned into a ramble. I told my partner, "this book is like listening to someone describe his cross country trucking experiences since eventually something strange will happen. He will reach the punchline but one sits and sweats to the reward."
This book rambles, peaks, rambles, peaks, and then, yes, gasp, peaks, bores, and drags before the tale slaps on the dramatic conclusion thirty pages before the ending.
What pretentious bullshit. Does this author not have an editor? This is his tenth book. Are the first nine that much worse? Or is he one of those strike it lucky in the beginning authors who has no where to go but down?
After ten books an author should understand the simple concept of attention to detail. There were six major points when the author made no sense.
I'll conclude with the least offensive detail: describing how a bag of frozen peas were STILL frozen after sitting in his hammered by the summer sun truck for at least five hours.
That's a mistake from a man who has never shopped for himself. His editor suffers from the same problem.
And a collection of little details and overblown rambles defeats this book. It's an exercise in nonsense.
May 23: Intriguing turned into a ramble. I told my partner, "this book is like listening to someone describe his cross country trucking experiences since eventually something strange will happen. He will reach the punchline but one sits and sweats to the reward."
This book rambles, peaks, rambles, peaks, and then, yes, gasp, peaks, bores, and drags before the tale slaps on the dramatic conclusion thirty pages before the ending.
What pretentious bullshit. Does this author not have an editor? This is his tenth book. Are the first nine that much worse? Or is he one of those strike it lucky in the beginning authors who has no where to go but down?
After ten books an author should understand the simple concept of attention to detail. There were six major points when the author made no sense.
I'll conclude with the least offensive detail: describing how a bag of frozen peas were STILL frozen after sitting in his hammered by the summer sun truck for at least five hours.
That's a mistake from a man who has never shopped for himself. His editor suffers from the same problem.
And a collection of little details and overblown rambles defeats this book. It's an exercise in nonsense.
groovybagel's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5