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caffeineauthor's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
missyjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
how do I describe this book? unique? Odd? unusual? it is all of those but also engaging. I found myself frustrated at how often I was confused as to what Jones was saying or trying to say but how I also stayed interested enough to see where it was all going. I still don't know how much is fiction and what is true but that doesn't really matter. The ability to show how we are all shaped by what may appear as an insignificant act was very well done. I must admit, one reason that I bought this book in the first place is that there was an endorsement on the front by Joe Lansdale and I really enjoy his writing so that actually sold me on this selection. I also know that the endorsements can easily be swayed but I am glad I read this. one particular thing that I found amusing...... The term CRP was used quite often. By the time I read it for the hundreth time, unsure as to what it stood for, I went back to the beginning to find where it had been originally explained. I just thought that I had overlooked the definition initially. After not finding it anywhere, I continued my reading only to have the explanation for the abbreviation given to me the very next page. For some reason, SGJ's ability to work with my head and understand was intriguing.
bookswithlydscl's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Part Memoir, part mystery, is a novel but also not. We traverse through the town of Greenwood and the lives and secrets of its inhabitants jumping around people, and time.
This isn't a straight A to B linear storyline but weaves through time, moving backwards and forwards with fragments of ideas, memories and story dropping in and out. Very SGJ, definitely not one to start with.if you're new to his work.
This isn't a straight A to B linear storyline but weaves through time, moving backwards and forwards with fragments of ideas, memories and story dropping in and out. Very SGJ, definitely not one to start with.if you're new to his work.
craigmatthews87's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this audiobook, although I certainly don't think it's for everyone. Eschewing the horror of most of his other books, Jones weaves a non-linear tale of maybe fact, maybe fiction of a young man's life in Texas. I found it quietly captivating, if maybe a little hard to follow timelines and characters at a point.
Not a starting point for his work, but if you're already a fan of Jones' writing, this is well worth your time.
Not a starting point for his work, but if you're already a fan of Jones' writing, this is well worth your time.
youraveragedave's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I saw a review saying this is literary A.D.D. and I have to agree.
The narrator tells us early and often he's changing names and can't quite remember things. The writing is circular, jumping from person to person, past to further past. He doesn't quite seem to finish a thought, segueing to another person or place in the county. The cast is sprawling, and it's hard to keep straight who is part of which family and at what point in time we are in.
This is definitely the SGJ narrative voice I'm used to, but it just didn't work for me in this book.
The narrator tells us early and often he's changing names and can't quite remember things. The writing is circular, jumping from person to person, past to further past. He doesn't quite seem to finish a thought, segueing to another person or place in the county. The cast is sprawling, and it's hard to keep straight who is part of which family and at what point in time we are in.
This is definitely the SGJ narrative voice I'm used to, but it just didn't work for me in this book.
alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
In a fit of whimsy, I hereby announce I will give everyone five stars, but the reviews may not reflect it.
This is different to SGJ's other works, as it is more of a memoir about his time growing up in Texas. thinking back to an unsolved fire back when he was a kid, the author tried to retroactively solve the crime. It's short and entertaining, but he's written better books.
This is different to SGJ's other works, as it is more of a memoir about his time growing up in Texas. thinking back to an unsolved fire back when he was a kid, the author tried to retroactively solve the crime. It's short and entertaining, but he's written better books.