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A review by phantomgecko
Random Harvest by James Hilton
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I saw the movie a decade or so ago. The movie's better.
This book joins <u>Remains of the Day</u> and <u>Howard's End</u> in that aspect. They have this absolutely devastating instance of human relationship that could and should be the focus of the novel. Instead, the author is like, y'all let's water down all this pathos with hundreds of pages of what should be an essay instead of a novel. (The movies, however, say, people don't care about the author's vanilla social commentaries, but they sure like seeing and empathizing tragic romantic situations. Hint: people care about other people and how they feel.)
There was zero need to get into the ups and downs of the British stock market in the 20s. Or how boring and British Charles' family is. Or flirting with his niece. Vast amounts of this book could have been removed for its betterment.
I understand that the juxtaposition between Charles with and without a past is important. That's the pathos, baby. But Part Two really could've just been, like, two pages, and the sentiment would've been adequately portrayed.
I like books that invite you to ponder deeply, to reflect on your perspective, to weigh hard choices against harder choices. This book isn't like that at all. I think it tries to be. But instead of painting a picture and letting the reader interpret, this book monologues and sermonizes and lectures. So freaking boring.
C- though for the premise.
This book joins <u>Remains of the Day</u> and <u>Howard's End</u> in that aspect. They have this absolutely devastating instance of human relationship that could and should be the focus of the novel. Instead, the author is like, y'all let's water down all this pathos with hundreds of pages of what should be an essay instead of a novel. (The movies, however, say, people don't care about the author's vanilla social commentaries, but they sure like seeing and empathizing tragic romantic situations. Hint: people care about other people and how they feel.)
There was zero need to get into the ups and downs of the British stock market in the 20s. Or how boring and British Charles' family is. Or flirting with his niece. Vast amounts of this book could have been removed for its betterment.
I understand that the juxtaposition between Charles with and without a past is important. That's the pathos, baby. But Part Two really could've just been, like, two pages, and the sentiment would've been adequately portrayed.
I like books that invite you to ponder deeply, to reflect on your perspective, to weigh hard choices against harder choices. This book isn't like that at all. I think it tries to be. But instead of painting a picture and letting the reader interpret, this book monologues and sermonizes and lectures. So freaking boring.
C- though for the premise.