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jimbowen0306's review
3.0
I can honestly say I'm not sure what to make of this book. It's a well written 3 strand book. One strand focuses on Hal Incandenza, his family, and associates at the Enfield Tennis Academy. Another strand focuses on the Ennett House residents, a collection of drug and alcohol abusers trying to straighten themselves up, while the third focuses on Quebec separatists trying to track down a tape so addictive you'll watch it to the exclusion of everything else.
It's set in the near future, just after the assassination of President Limbaugh, when the moral majority has a new president, and a sort of new country to run can ONAN (the Organisation of North American Nations), where America has partially sort of integrated Mexico and Canada as satellite states of the US. Wallace jumps between this story, and the 3 strands of the actual story.
I can see this a good book. I can see it's well written, and funny in places, but it seems to be saying, no matter what you do to pursue happiness, or a dream, or something, life gets in the way, and will screw you over anyway. So all in all, I'm left sort of feeling "Ummmm.... what've I just read?"
It's set in the near future, just after the assassination of President Limbaugh, when the moral majority has a new president, and a sort of new country to run can ONAN (the Organisation of North American Nations), where America has partially sort of integrated Mexico and Canada as satellite states of the US. Wallace jumps between this story, and the 3 strands of the actual story.
I can see this a good book. I can see it's well written, and funny in places, but it seems to be saying, no matter what you do to pursue happiness, or a dream, or something, life gets in the way, and will screw you over anyway. So all in all, I'm left sort of feeling "Ummmm.... what've I just read?"
jbrooke1855's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.5
monkeyboystiff's review against another edition
3.0
A interesting experienced. I felt totally let down when I finished it as nothing came together and made sense, and the analysis I read online indicated there were ridiculous "clues" to pick up about what happened. I felt I'd wasted my time a bit. But I have thought about the book a lot, and I'd like to read it again... Just not for a while. Most of it was really cool to read, but I did wish I had resolved better. I can't help but think if it wasnt so long and full of obscure words people would just say it was shit.
chairman_meow77's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
pinterberni's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
eli1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
linwin's review against another edition
4.0
I will admit I thought the first 150 pages or so were almost impossible to get through. The chaotic complicated writing style and structure of this novel is so bizarre that it is unlike anything else I’ve ever read.
Initial difficulties aside, I was immediately drawn in by the mysteries of the plot and the absurdist dark humour that is present throughout the novel. Once I got used to the disorganised style I began to embrace the way it created a completely unique and immersive reading experience that was more than just the written word on the page. It’s like your experience of reading the book is an active part of the storytelling.
The themes are more relevant than ever and I often found myself emotionally gripped by the depictions of human struggles to connect and find meaning in a modern world. I could, however, have done with less problematic language and misogyny.
Figuring out the intricacies of the plot is not easy and maybe som edits would have helped. But I also think maybe it just is the way it’s meant to be and the plot and the details isn’t really the point anyway.
Upon finishing it I immediately had the urge to read it all over again with a new perspective.
4.5 stars
Initial difficulties aside, I was immediately drawn in by the mysteries of the plot and the absurdist dark humour that is present throughout the novel. Once I got used to the disorganised style I began to embrace the way it created a completely unique and immersive reading experience that was more than just the written word on the page. It’s like your experience of reading the book is an active part of the storytelling.
The themes are more relevant than ever and I often found myself emotionally gripped by the depictions of human struggles to connect and find meaning in a modern world. I could, however, have done with less problematic language and misogyny.
Figuring out the intricacies of the plot is not easy and maybe som edits would have helped. But I also think maybe it just is the way it’s meant to be and the plot and the details isn’t really the point anyway.
Upon finishing it I immediately had the urge to read it all over again with a new perspective.
4.5 stars
vex97's review against another edition
2.0
Dropped halfway through. Got bored with the surfeit of boring, tangential side stories and with a jumbled plot that seemed to go nowhere even after 550+ pages.