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flonew's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
chnh's review against another edition
3.0
this book was like an onion. there’s four stories essentially and they all have different layers to them.
the first story is about quick success a man experiences and then it turns kind sinister with the lengths he goes. there’s a theme of coldness and distance within the couple’s relationship.
the second story is like your typical early 1900s success story of smart kid to mega success hall of famer. man loves his wife.
the third story is where it starts to connect the first two. it’s the most interesting and cool to ‘discover’ what’s going on as the protagonist is also learning. also explores how aspiring to make money and be independent can alienate you from family and your community. also how a man can know nothing about his wife.
the fourth story essentially sheds light on everything above. there’s an element of mutually profiting partnership.
i do fell like this fell flat at times. it was interesting but sometimes it just went on and on about stocks and bonds and ‘omg i’m so good at playing the market listen to how i made all this money’. it seemed like a non-fiction story but was fiction.
i was kind of disinterested with a lot of it tbh.
albeit, it was a cool take to see an author construct a story this way, through different accounts and layers that eventually align (although some of it could have been more clear). i’ve never seen this in a book and it was honestly fascinating by design.
…
“perhaps part of that strength came precisely from the dissonant void and their willingness to make up for it.”
“denial is always a form of confirmation.”
“once again, my complete lack of method served me well.”
the first story is about quick success a man experiences and then it turns kind sinister with the lengths he goes. there’s a theme of coldness and distance within the couple’s relationship.
the second story is like your typical early 1900s success story of smart kid to mega success hall of famer. man loves his wife.
the third story is where it starts to connect the first two. it’s the most interesting and cool to ‘discover’ what’s going on as the protagonist is also learning. also explores how aspiring to make money and be independent can alienate you from family and your community. also how a man can know nothing about his wife.
the fourth story essentially sheds light on everything above. there’s an element of mutually profiting partnership.
i do fell like this fell flat at times. it was interesting but sometimes it just went on and on about stocks and bonds and ‘omg i’m so good at playing the market listen to how i made all this money’. it seemed like a non-fiction story but was fiction.
i was kind of disinterested with a lot of it tbh.
albeit, it was a cool take to see an author construct a story this way, through different accounts and layers that eventually align (although some of it could have been more clear). i’ve never seen this in a book and it was honestly fascinating by design.
…
“perhaps part of that strength came precisely from the dissonant void and their willingness to make up for it.”
“denial is always a form of confirmation.”
“once again, my complete lack of method served me well.”
binman's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-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
2.75
sophietica's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jtisgreen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
andyblv's review against another edition
5.0
Smart and well-paced, it builds to a chilling and satisfying end.
This novel plays with form as it tells the same story from four perspectives, some fictionalized, some obscured by intention or time, demanding the reader’s attention and judgment in determining what is true. The imagery of bonds and bells, of music and math, of high finance, of strained relationships work together to complicate a simple story.
What happened to Mildred Bevel? Why is her story hidden? Why are her talents suppressed?
This novel plays with form as it tells the same story from four perspectives, some fictionalized, some obscured by intention or time, demanding the reader’s attention and judgment in determining what is true. The imagery of bonds and bells, of music and math, of high finance, of strained relationships work together to complicate a simple story.
What happened to Mildred Bevel? Why is her story hidden? Why are her talents suppressed?
emma_pk's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
littledorrit2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Four different accounts around the lives of a wealthy NY couple question what is truth. I had a false start with this, getting bogged down early on with detailed info about stock market dealings but a second attempt proved worthwhile. Different perspectives in turn open up more questions or disturb previous understanding. It proved to be a fascinating book - glad I persevered!
moorah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jobcurtis's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes