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tzark's review against another edition
4.0
It's like reading a wonderful poetry.
That's how a traveler should be.
Inspiring.
That's how a traveler should be.
Inspiring.
embereye's review against another edition
4.0
This is a lovely book to read. Pretty though some of the poetry and whatnot is wanton and over the top. I enjoyed it much like a flaky custard filled pastry. Delicious and delicate.
yers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
2.0
This story starts by depicting Pico's journey through unknown lands while coming across blemished characters and their stories of solitude and hardships. However, the story succumbs into darkness and immorality taking Pico into bouts of confusion, bleakness and obscurity with a doomed open ending. Beautiful, lyrical writing with a touch of melancholy but the whole story just falls into the absurd.
nohadon's review against another edition
3.0
I had high hopes for this book, especially given Ursula K Leguin’s espousement on the front cover.
But the book fell short. Miller seems more interested in lyrical sentences than actual storytelling. Almost every sentence alliterates, and yet Miller introduces and casts off characters as plot devices only, leaving the story as soon as their purpose in Pico’s development is served. No explanation is given for why every woman falls in love with Pico, who fastidiously holds out for Sisi despite pulling every woman with his “scrawny” features.Pico should have fallen for Narya, as that would have made for actual character development on Pico’s part. Instead he somehow never gets anything wrong, never makes a wrong move, and attracts every woman he meets. In fact, Miller writes with far too much focus on every woman loving Pico and way overdescribes women’s anatomy and sexual acts. Not to mention the casual cannibalism of his friend (and also lover) Sorya right after his best chapter, The City in the Mountains .
It turns out, that this book is a halfway act between Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and Lord Dunsany’s Carcassone, trying to tell the message of both and instead failing, telling the message of neither.
Three stars is generous; I give this rating only because the prose was lyrical, although without the characters and the plot to back it, Miller failed to evoke the kind of emotion stories like this should.
But the book fell short. Miller seems more interested in lyrical sentences than actual storytelling. Almost every sentence alliterates, and yet Miller introduces and casts off characters as plot devices only, leaving the story as soon as their purpose in Pico’s development is served. No explanation is given for why every woman falls in love with Pico, who fastidiously holds out for Sisi despite pulling every woman with his “scrawny” features.
It turns out, that this book is a halfway act between Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and Lord Dunsany’s Carcassone, trying to tell the message of both and instead failing, telling the message of neither.
Three stars is generous; I give this rating only because the prose was lyrical, although without the characters and the plot to back it, Miller failed to evoke the kind of emotion stories like this should.
cradman's review against another edition
4.0
A deliciously written book about books from a storyteller who loves the craft. Be warned the appetites and passions are for adults, but worth the time spent re-reading each carefully worded sentence.
joxertd's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.0
upsidedownything's review against another edition
3.0
Great prose, maybe learn to write women without reducing them to descriptions of their breasts.
elvenpanther's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.75
Some books are a complete embodiment of the nature of storytelling. Lyrical, symbolic, thought provoking, timeless. A Shrine upon which to worship the art of narrative. This was one of those books. keith Miller's prose captivated me and the imagery was so vividly beautiful that I was drawn into the story completely each time I opened the book. While my skill with pen and brush follows its own path, there are so many scenes within this novel that beg to be painted.
While not a particularly long novel, fo following Pico on his journey, it felt as if ages had been spanned (in agood way!) and each newly introduced character further enriched and added depth to Keith Miller's world.
I did feel as if Sisi and Pico's relationship did a disservice to Pico's ultimate well-being, and while I may have not agreed with some of the choices made by Pico, I still don't think I would have changed anything about his journey and this novel.
Truly a story built upon stories with such a lovely fairytale feel.
While not a particularly long novel, fo following Pico on his journey, it felt as if ages had been spanned (in agood way!) and each newly introduced character further enriched and added depth to Keith Miller's world.
I did feel as if Sisi and Pico's relationship did a disservice to Pico's ultimate well-being, and while I may have not agreed with some of the choices made by Pico, I still don't think I would have changed anything about his journey and this novel.
Truly a story built upon stories with such a lovely fairytale feel.