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A review by flybyreader
Fabulous Monsters: Dracula, Alice, Superman, and Other Literary Friends by Alberto Manguel
3.0
First of all, though I finished the book, I am still a little confused because the title of the book is misleading as the literary characters mentioned in the book are neither fabulous nor are they monsters. I still have no idea about the purpose of this title. When I look at the list of names I see no connection: There is Alice, as in the wonderland, then Robinson Crusoe, Superman (I still don't understand the purpose of him being there?), Satan (maybe the only one that can be considered as monster maybe?), Heidi's grandfather (I mean why? Was he that bad?). Some of them can be anti-heroes but not monsters. I don't know. Still too confused.
Even if I skip the list of completely unrelated figures of literature, I think the content is also a little disorderly, it felt like the author had too much knowledge (it's obvious he knows his onions) but could not make up his mind to bring every bit and piece together properly. I don't know what I expected when I picked it up but this was not it. I am not really satisfied but glad I read it, though.
Last but not least, one full star goes to the chapter "Hacivat and Karagoz", a highly underestimated Turkish literary classic and traditional performing art. I don't know how the author got to know about it but I have to congratulate him on his analysis of the characters and their reflection of Turkish culture and society.
(Special thanks to Yale University Press and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for honest review.)
Even if I skip the list of completely unrelated figures of literature, I think the content is also a little disorderly, it felt like the author had too much knowledge (it's obvious he knows his onions) but could not make up his mind to bring every bit and piece together properly. I don't know what I expected when I picked it up but this was not it. I am not really satisfied but glad I read it, though.
Last but not least, one full star goes to the chapter "Hacivat and Karagoz", a highly underestimated Turkish literary classic and traditional performing art. I don't know how the author got to know about it but I have to congratulate him on his analysis of the characters and their reflection of Turkish culture and society.
(Special thanks to Yale University Press and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for honest review.)