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nickyp's review against another edition
4.0
I envy Percy's way with character -- and his willingness to give as many details to the minor characters as to his major actors. Once you start out with that depth of character and setting, you have to carry it through; so much time and care! Not the tightest plot for a thriller, but the pacing and tension is superb. And even though it was written in the 1980s, the use of technology didn't seem severely out of date. I'll be keeping this one to dive into whenever I need models for character-sketching. Plus a tongue-in-cheek Michigan State reference!
kelswid's review against another edition
2.0
https://bookshouting210423985.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/ill-be-seeing-you-1-9-19/
blancwene's review against another edition
There are five parts in The Thanatos Syndrome, and in April 2019 I finished Part I. Then I put the book down. It's been over a year, and I have no desire to pick it back up, so. DNF.
c0smich0rus's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes it’s very engaging, other times it’s very boring.
I guess that describes a lot of books, but I really felt it with this one
Also, the book will make more sense if you had taken a psychology class in high school or college
I guess that describes a lot of books, but I really felt it with this one
Also, the book will make more sense if you had taken a psychology class in high school or college
rdebner's review against another edition
4.0
I read The Moviegoer a couple of years ago, and I enjoyed this novel far more. It was something of a psychological mystery and so the plot really pulled me along; Percy's characters were deftly drawn and humorous in a way that I have found only in Southern novels.
raskol's review against another edition
1.0
Capsule Review: Don't Read Walker Percy. Ever.
Longer Review: If somebody recommends this book (or any other of his books) to you, rest assured that that he will one day soon try to convince you that the Eagles really are rock n' roll. Afterwards, he will probably inflict some of his "poetry" on you. You know the kind of stuff I mean: four-line stanzas in ABAB that will inevitably rhyme the words "pain" with "insane," "soul" with "hole," "heart" with "apart," and "feel" with "unreal." Luckily, though, you will see this coming, and as soon as your friend/lover/spouse/relative/coworker/mutual or new acquaintance/etc. recommends this author to you, you can immediately make the decision forever to exclude him (or her) from your literary life. That's right: whenever he mentions some book he read, change the subject. Talk about the weather; fake a seizure, if necessary. For example, say your boss, Mr. When-I'm-in-My-Car-I-Rock-Out-to-The Best of Sting, has previously recommended to you a novel written by one Walker Percy (thus alerting you that all of his taste is in his mouth). Your boss then approaches you one morning and says, "Hey, Suzy, how are you? You know, I was rereading Anne Rice this weekend, and I thought of you, because, you know, you can read, and I thought you might enjoy it." At this point, casually announce that the sun has given you cancer and you no longer have time to read before you die. Watch him shut up.
(And yes, I've posted the exact same review for all the Walker Percy books I've been unfortunate enough to read. Percy's works aren't worth more than one original review. Besides, if you've read one of his books, you've read them all.)
Longer Review: If somebody recommends this book (or any other of his books) to you, rest assured that that he will one day soon try to convince you that the Eagles really are rock n' roll. Afterwards, he will probably inflict some of his "poetry" on you. You know the kind of stuff I mean: four-line stanzas in ABAB that will inevitably rhyme the words "pain" with "insane," "soul" with "hole," "heart" with "apart," and "feel" with "unreal." Luckily, though, you will see this coming, and as soon as your friend/lover/spouse/relative/coworker/mutual or new acquaintance/etc. recommends this author to you, you can immediately make the decision forever to exclude him (or her) from your literary life. That's right: whenever he mentions some book he read, change the subject. Talk about the weather; fake a seizure, if necessary. For example, say your boss, Mr. When-I'm-in-My-Car-I-Rock-Out-to-The Best of Sting, has previously recommended to you a novel written by one Walker Percy (thus alerting you that all of his taste is in his mouth). Your boss then approaches you one morning and says, "Hey, Suzy, how are you? You know, I was rereading Anne Rice this weekend, and I thought of you, because, you know, you can read, and I thought you might enjoy it." At this point, casually announce that the sun has given you cancer and you no longer have time to read before you die. Watch him shut up.
(And yes, I've posted the exact same review for all the Walker Percy books I've been unfortunate enough to read. Percy's works aren't worth more than one original review. Besides, if you've read one of his books, you've read them all.)
woodge's review against another edition
4.0
An unusual mystery with a great main character and often witty.
scarlettletters's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second Walker Percy I've read, and I think I liked it better than the first one I read (The Second Coming)(although I don't remember the rating I gave that one). It's a very quick read and very plot-driven, although still manages to hit on quite a few philosophical/ethical issues. I will warn the reader, toward the end the story gets very very dark and there is a bit of disturbing imagery. However, Percy manages to capture both the depravity and redemption that humans experience quite well. He is a master of writing dialogue: the kind of conversations that were so snappy sometimes I had to go back and make sure I knew which character was talking. I would recommend this book to fans of Southern Fiction or people who like novels that explore ethics (in this case specifically medical ethics).
rosemaryc's review against another edition
I have so many mixed feelings about Walker Percy. I love his ideas and have enjoyed his nonfiction. But when I read his fiction I just can't get into it. There isn't that much difference between reading his novels vs reading his essays. His characters strike me as rather bland, and are a bit too prone to revealing the plot and thematic elements in unbelievable dialogue.
It's quite possible that I am revealing a deficiency in myself in saying I don't like Percy's fiction, but there it is.
It's quite possible that I am revealing a deficiency in myself in saying I don't like Percy's fiction, but there it is.