Scan barcode
lorit1227's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
calebmatthews's review against another edition
5.0
This book is beautifully written. I liked the story and the characters. What amazed me once I finished was how I wanted to hear from the characters more so I went back. Diverse perspectives on love, aging, and travel.
inblackink's review against another edition
2.0
This is a book about: nothing.
There is no plot, we follow a character which has no development going country after country and thinking of his past partners. Boring. There is nothing here, the writing is not bad but nothing remarkable, there is literally nothing that stands out in this for me.
I guess the point of the author is that we can’t feel sorry for Arthur, as the narrator points out, but if there’s nothing happening apart from boring descriptions, the character doesn’t change and we can’t connect with the main character, what’s the point?
There is no plot, we follow a character which has no development going country after country and thinking of his past partners. Boring. There is nothing here, the writing is not bad but nothing remarkable, there is literally nothing that stands out in this for me.
I guess the point of the author is that we can’t feel sorry for Arthur, as the narrator points out, but if there’s nothing happening apart from boring descriptions, the character doesn’t change and we can’t connect with the main character, what’s the point?
elyssam's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.5
Love a good travel story. I didn’t like the technical narration or who the narrator was. I wasn’t interested in the “romance” and how it ended annoyed me. I am curious to read the sequel especially since I liked the adventure and inconviences of Less’ story.
superdewa's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn’t interested in this book. It sounded silly and privileged. Then it won the Pulitzer, I heard a brief interview with the author, and it popped up in Libby when I was looking for something light to listen to while cleaning and cooking, so I decided to try it. The first quarter confirmed my expectations, but it was enjoyable and well-written, so I kept going. It was somewhere around the middle that I realized there was so much more to this book than I’d expected. It crept up on me. I can’t say much more as I’m still processing it, but I am very glad I finally gave it a try.
ivostarr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jr2234's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. What a weird, twisting curve of a ride. Arthur Less, never content with what’s in front of him, embarks on a journey around the world to escape feelings of a longtime ex-love. He meets loads of interesting people: all flawed, all searching for meaning and contentment, and all somehow missing the mark. The characters are richly detailed and complex; they feel like real people.
Arthur always want more: more friends, more money, more literary success. He is comically self-involved as a narrator, to the point it annoyed me. Even while sitting in the most beautiful places on earth, he remains absolutely obsessed with trivial things from his past or present. While enjoying a multi course once-in-a-lifetime experience at a Japanese restaurant, he is slightly disappointed that the meal doesn’t meet his imagined standards. His life is the envy of others, but he doesn’t feel any lasting contentment in himself.
There’s a lot that’s relatable here, and many things you could take away depending on your current life situation. The book touches on envy, happiness, friendships, and the concept of permanence.
I want to re-read this. Some of the concepts felt hard to grasp and I’d like to absorb them a touch more.
Arthur always want more: more friends, more money, more literary success. He is comically self-involved as a narrator, to the point it annoyed me. Even while sitting in the most beautiful places on earth, he remains absolutely obsessed with trivial things from his past or present. While enjoying a multi course once-in-a-lifetime experience at a Japanese restaurant, he is slightly disappointed that the meal doesn’t meet his imagined standards. His life is the envy of others, but he doesn’t feel any lasting contentment in himself.
There’s a lot that’s relatable here, and many things you could take away depending on your current life situation. The book touches on envy, happiness, friendships, and the concept of permanence.
I want to re-read this. Some of the concepts felt hard to grasp and I’d like to absorb them a touch more.
missyjohnson's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe I did not pick up on what made this book a Pulitzer Prize winner while reading. I was amused and did stay interested in what would happen to Mr. Less next. I did not really like the book all that much. It read like a young adult book to me.