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annoy_ken's review against another edition
5.0
It’s a wonderful book
I just finished this in a day of reading and have no words yet. This is a wonderful, moving, beautiful book filled compassion. Read it.
I just finished this in a day of reading and have no words yet. This is a wonderful, moving, beautiful book filled compassion. Read it.
ellipsiscool's review against another edition
4.0
I am a librarian in charge of the development of the adult fiction collection. So I ordered this book back in February because it was written by the same man who wrote "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" a book that I know our patrons have read and enjoyed.
However, when I went back through the collection stats for the books I had ordered in February, this book had no checkouts, zero. Determined as I am to get all of my collection to circulate, I checked it out myself, not even reading the jacket flap.
Admittedly, it was a bit disconcerting to dive into a book written in the second person, something I haven't seen since those choose your own adventure Goosebumps books I read so many of in third grade. As I kept reading; however, I found myself quite engrossed.
This is a wonderful book. The more I think on it, the more I am glad I read it. The second person narrative gives the perspective a duality. The main character is a boy, then a man trying to get filthy rich in rising Asia, but it was also me.
Some of the reviewers here seem to be a bit to transfixed on the title and self help frame of the book. Those reviewers are quite frankly missing the point. This book is about empathy, life, death, getting old, and making decisions that shape one's existence. It is at times uncomfortable to read, especially as a second person narrative, but really come on folks. Sometimes life is uncomfortable to live.
However, when I went back through the collection stats for the books I had ordered in February, this book had no checkouts, zero. Determined as I am to get all of my collection to circulate, I checked it out myself, not even reading the jacket flap.
Admittedly, it was a bit disconcerting to dive into a book written in the second person, something I haven't seen since those choose your own adventure Goosebumps books I read so many of in third grade. As I kept reading; however, I found myself quite engrossed.
This is a wonderful book. The more I think on it, the more I am glad I read it. The second person narrative gives the perspective a duality. The main character is a boy, then a man trying to get filthy rich in rising Asia, but it was also me.
Some of the reviewers here seem to be a bit to transfixed on the title and self help frame of the book. Those reviewers are quite frankly missing the point. This book is about empathy, life, death, getting old, and making decisions that shape one's existence. It is at times uncomfortable to read, especially as a second person narrative, but really come on folks. Sometimes life is uncomfortable to live.
youngthespian42's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a joy to read. The format of the book is written in the second person and written in the style of a how-to e-book but tells this tremendous story of the lifetime of an aspiring entrepreneur in Asia. Despite spanning many decades of the character's life, the story is slim and approachable in length. Do not let this slim volume or creative construct fool you this content in this book is rich and dense. Great book club read!
bluebird_ccfc's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.0
bookward's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
bywell's review against another edition
5.0
Hands down, the best book I read this year.
Written in the second person, Hamid wastes no words telling the full story of a man’s life in two hundred and forty delicious pages. We do not learn the protagonists name (you) or that of his girlfriend (the pretty girl) or where in Asia they live, but we do learn a path to success and how one man has lived his life.
The twelve chapters provide the framework - Move to the City; Get an Education; Don’t Fall in Love; Avoid Idealists; Learn from a Master; Work for Yourself; Be Prepared to Use Violence; Befriend a Bureaucrat; Patronize the Artists of War; Dance with Debt; Focus on the Fundamentals; and Have an Exit Strategy.
While some may find the voice and the structure difficult, I found it to be comfortable and comforting. Being one step removed allowed me to worry less about our hero’s struggles and enjoy his life’s story all the more.
Written in the second person, Hamid wastes no words telling the full story of a man’s life in two hundred and forty delicious pages. We do not learn the protagonists name (you) or that of his girlfriend (the pretty girl) or where in Asia they live, but we do learn a path to success and how one man has lived his life.
The twelve chapters provide the framework - Move to the City; Get an Education; Don’t Fall in Love; Avoid Idealists; Learn from a Master; Work for Yourself; Be Prepared to Use Violence; Befriend a Bureaucrat; Patronize the Artists of War; Dance with Debt; Focus on the Fundamentals; and Have an Exit Strategy.
While some may find the voice and the structure difficult, I found it to be comfortable and comforting. Being one step removed allowed me to worry less about our hero’s struggles and enjoy his life’s story all the more.
nicoleplec's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-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
2.0
janiswong's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.75
A fantastic re-read, I loved the second person writing and narration as it brought the book to life in its form and allowed me to reminisce. Stunning prose by Hamid.
lottie1803's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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? Yes
3.75