Reviews

Dr. Brinkley's Tower: A Novel by Robert Hough

dark_221b's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jannie_mtl's review against another edition

3.0

A good yarn, based on a true story. I liked the writing but all the Spanish words detracted from my reading pleasure. I had to choose whether or not to look them up and either way, it broke my train of thought. As a friend mentioned, it must mimic the experience of a new reader who is still learning the language.

I would read something else by Hough. Recommended to those who have done Spanish or who don't mind the interruptions.

elyseng's review against another edition

4.0

3*1/2

eetoffel's review against another edition

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Brinkley's Tower, especially it's satirical nature and lyrical prose. While the story wasn't a compulsive page turner, I was always interested in the intertwined paths of the colourful characters. Most of all, the beautiful depictions of Mexican life made the story real and filled with a vitality that I haven't encountered in many other books.

kelseyandrew's review

4.0

What I wasn't expecting from this book was to be so enamored with each character, through their flaws and decisions. Yet, here we are and I'm mad it had to end. Robert Hough wrote such realistic, endearing characters that allowed the story to flow from story to story in a way that wasn't disconnected or abrupt, but did so in a way that actually made a reader want to continue on just because you had to know what happened to each person in the town. While Dr. Brinkley plays a minor role in this novel, it's Francisco and Violeta and the Madam and the hacendero and everyone else's story and how each character came into their own because of this ridiculous radio tower. Definitely a great read to start off my new year.