Reviews

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

godotwillseeyounow's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

2.75

I had higher hopes for this book.
It feels a bit like dude-lit, that's sort of trying to come across as really deep. Like a "I'm smarter than you" type of book.

I liked the scenes with visions/ghosts from the past, those were probably my favourite parts. The ending as well.

jprocino's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Very well written with compelling characters, but I was kinda waiting for the other shoe to drop the whole time and it never did. Granted, I’m not the most heady reader ever so maybe others will like it more. 

candlereader's review against another edition

3.0

4 stars for the quality of the writing. 3 stars for my personal enjoyment reading it. Denis Johnson can absolutely write, but somehow this story failed to captivate me.

nsturr's review against another edition

5.0

Short, expansive, and perfect. A delight to read.

casparb's review against another edition

johnson serve, a becoming-animal text, who knew, follow w / Nightwood or some such.. but I think I like this more  

brookshrich's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

readingrara's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Lone hermit still mourns the loss of his wife decades after her passing.

pickleburns's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Riveting, affecting; haven’t been this struck by so short and powerful a story. It is exactly the right length, each word feels precise. 

milamoon's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

Purtroppo, non mi ha coinvolta in nessun modo.
Troppo esile.

danielmay's review against another edition

3.0

Short and sweet. I’m not saying the book should be longer, but I would love a longer book with more time to get to know Robert and the other characters. I’d recommend reading it in one sitting; I made the mistake of spreading it across several days, and while still good, I believe it would have been more immersive if read over the course of an afternoon.