Scan barcode
hilld828's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
librarylandlisa's review against another edition
5.0
This was great. This author does the switching between time well.
eiridium's review against another edition
5.0
As in her other works, St John Mandel demonstrates a uniquely brilliant ability to layer time and recollection along a strong narrative thread. The reader is both engaged with and kept attracted to characters and secrets gradually and skillfully revealed.
There is a very strong hint in this novel of what is to come in the Glass Hotel. I was introduced to her writing through Station Eleven which resonated strongly and then Glass Hotel which simply captivated me. In both instances, there is a small cadre of well-developed and broken characters on an unintentional journey of self-discovery. There is also a very thin veil between lived reality and something supernatural just beyond and running beneath the surface of the novels.
I'd judge Glass Hotel to be the more polished and tighter of the two - but in Last Night in Montreal, there is a greater challenge to the reader to make guesses as to the backstory and try to challenge the pace of the author.
Dark and evocative but hopeful, and as the debut novel, one can retroactively appreciate the promise that increasingly been fulfilled in her subsequent works.
There is a very strong hint in this novel of what is to come in the Glass Hotel. I was introduced to her writing through Station Eleven which resonated strongly and then Glass Hotel which simply captivated me. In both instances, there is a small cadre of well-developed and broken characters on an unintentional journey of self-discovery. There is also a very thin veil between lived reality and something supernatural just beyond and running beneath the surface of the novels.
I'd judge Glass Hotel to be the more polished and tighter of the two - but in Last Night in Montreal, there is a greater challenge to the reader to make guesses as to the backstory and try to challenge the pace of the author.
Dark and evocative but hopeful, and as the debut novel, one can retroactively appreciate the promise that increasingly been fulfilled in her subsequent works.
eiridium's review against another edition
5.0
As in her other works, St John Mandel demonstrates a uniquely brilliant ability to layer time and recollection along a strong narrative thread. The reader is both engaged with and kept attracted to characters and secrets gradually and skillfully revealed.
There is a very strong hint in this novel of what is to come in the Glass Hotel. I was introduced to her writing through Station Eleven which resonated strongly and then Glass Hotel which simply captivated me. In both instances, there is a small cadre of well-developed and broken characters on an unintentional journey of self-discovery. There is also a very thin veil between lived reality and something supernatural just beyond and running beneath the surface of the novels.
I'd judge Glass Hotel to be the more polished and tighter of the two - but in Last Night in Montreal, there is a greater challenge to the reader to make guesses as to the backstory and try to challenge the pace of the author.
Dark and evocative but hopeful, and as the debut novel, one can retroactively appreciate the promise that increasingly been fulfilled in her subsequent works.
There is a very strong hint in this novel of what is to come in the Glass Hotel. I was introduced to her writing through Station Eleven which resonated strongly and then Glass Hotel which simply captivated me. In both instances, there is a small cadre of well-developed and broken characters on an unintentional journey of self-discovery. There is also a very thin veil between lived reality and something supernatural just beyond and running beneath the surface of the novels.
I'd judge Glass Hotel to be the more polished and tighter of the two - but in Last Night in Montreal, there is a greater challenge to the reader to make guesses as to the backstory and try to challenge the pace of the author.
Dark and evocative but hopeful, and as the debut novel, one can retroactively appreciate the promise that increasingly been fulfilled in her subsequent works.
thebobsphere's review
3.0
Had I read Emily St. John’s debut when it was published in 2009, I would have hailed Last Night in Montreal as a great book. Having read her breakthrough Station Eleven and the excellent The glass Hotel, I can say that this debut is competent and has the roots of certain techniques that would be used in future novels.
Lilia has been on the road ever since she was a child. Her nomadic lifestyle has made her refuse long term relationships and a fear of settling down. When she dates Eli and then leaves, he decides to look for her in Montreal.
At the same time there is a parallel story of a detective who has been on the Lilia’s trail for most of his life and has damaged his relationship with his wife and his daughter Michela plans a grand revenge on Lilia.
Through the use of intersecting timelines and little details, the reader manages to piece together Lilia’s life. Although I love this sort of thing, for some weird reason it doesn’t work too well. At times it felt forced. I do understand that this is a debut and subsequent novel did it better but the self-consciousness did dampen the experience. It’s a solid novel and an interesting look at how Emily St, John Mandel managed to improve her craft.
Lilia has been on the road ever since she was a child. Her nomadic lifestyle has made her refuse long term relationships and a fear of settling down. When she dates Eli and then leaves, he decides to look for her in Montreal.
At the same time there is a parallel story of a detective who has been on the Lilia’s trail for most of his life and has damaged his relationship with his wife and his daughter Michela plans a grand revenge on Lilia.
Through the use of intersecting timelines and little details, the reader manages to piece together Lilia’s life. Although I love this sort of thing, for some weird reason it doesn’t work too well. At times it felt forced. I do understand that this is a debut and subsequent novel did it better but the self-consciousness did dampen the experience. It’s a solid novel and an interesting look at how Emily St, John Mandel managed to improve her craft.
neuzilovasara's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jennyluwho's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll read every book she writes. Her word choice, the zany but believable occupations of her characters, and the way all her characters braid together are enough for me. Even if the plot falls apart a bit (and I think it did here about halfway through), her writing is enough for me.
kirkcarp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
aeclark12's review against another edition
5.0
A compelling, well-crafted story — thoroughly enjoyable read.
eyelit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5