ddannenb's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.75
karlaaitch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
softlights's review
4.0
A fascinating character study that explores ambition and manipulation. Maurice Swift is such a ruthless and cunning character, and Boyne is exceptional at unravelling the story.
youneverarrived's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
rikkibaynard's review
4.0
Maurice Swift is an absolutely nauseating human being and the moments where people tell him how nauseating he is are the best. If you don't like books about shitty people, this one probably isn't for you.
I love John Boyne's crisp dialogue and the full-bodied characters he creates. In this novel specifically, I enjoyed the way Boyne played with different perspectives and tenses to tell this story.
I love John Boyne's crisp dialogue and the full-bodied characters he creates. In this novel specifically, I enjoyed the way Boyne played with different perspectives and tenses to tell this story.
wendoxford's review
4.0
Who knew that a novel about a narcissist, plagiarist, alcoholic and more could be so compellingly readable?
Maurice is the ultimate dislikeable protagonist, his cutthroat approach to achieving his ambition of being a renowned literary novelist, really knows no bounds. The twists in point of view, location and time only add to the tension and lets the reader put the pieces together encouraging our own complicity in his actions.
Clever, twisted, amoral with a curious flavour of an Ealing comedy!
Maurice is the ultimate dislikeable protagonist, his cutthroat approach to achieving his ambition of being a renowned literary novelist, really knows no bounds. The twists in point of view, location and time only add to the tension and lets the reader put the pieces together encouraging our own complicity in his actions.
Clever, twisted, amoral with a curious flavour of an Ealing comedy!
melissaa123's review
3.0
Maurice Swift is the most despicable character I’ve come across, and I spent the majority of this book begging to find just one redeeming quality. This novel follows Maurice as he does (quite literally) whatever it takes to become a writer and a father - although the origins of these deep desires are never really explained. Maurice appears as more of a side character in the entire first half of the book, as the perspectives shift from different people he had wronged on his way to success. I found great pleasure in the fact that the author wouldn’t let this fictional narcissist be the main character in his own story, but unfortunately that was the only “win” I felt against Maurice as he subsequently bulldozed his way into the leading role in the remaining half. A Ladder In The Sky also portrays a glamorized artistic scene, where one or two time authors are regarded more as celebrities than I would imagine, but it helps reinforce why Maurice was so desperate and deceitful during his climb to the top. A dramatic family side story also proves that Maurice had plenty of juicy novel ideas right in front of him- yet he continued to pry original plots from the cold, dead hands of those that loved him most. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, but I can’t say that I will excitedly recommend it to others.
sherylcat's review
4.0
I had read such great reviews of this book, but I wasn't sure what to think when it started. But it got better and better as the book went on and you saw how twisted this guy was. Proof you do not have to like the character to like the book! I would not, however, call this a thriller as some have categorized. I will be reading more by this author.
dylanperry's review
2.0
So after 362 pages of ups and downs, intrigue and downright boredom, my final thoughts boil down to: Meh.
I'm not in the right head space for a lengthy rant review, so I'll try to keep it brief.
A Ladder to the Sky is the story of Maurice Swift, a young ambitious writer and his rise to fame in the literary world. Maurice is talented, but has one problem--he lacks any imagination when it comes to creating his own stories. (You can probably guess the whole novel by reading that or the product description)
I so wanted to like this. And the start is promising, but after the first third the novel became a chore to read. I was never excited to pick it up, not really. It's a low-simmer book that never comes to a boil. Add characters who lack dimension (they are and do exactly what you think and never break that mold), and how most everyone sounds the same in this book, I would have DNF'd it if I hadn't switched to the audiobook, which is wonderfully produced. Hats off to the team and narrators behind it.
In the end I can't get past the predictability of the story, and I won't spoil it, but the final twist is... not worth it. I know it's supposed to be someone getting theirs, but it feels artificial. Forced. And honestly I won't remember this novel come New Year's.
2/5.
I'm not in the right head space for a lengthy rant review, so I'll try to keep it brief.
A Ladder to the Sky is the story of Maurice Swift, a young ambitious writer and his rise to fame in the literary world. Maurice is talented, but has one problem--he lacks any imagination when it comes to creating his own stories. (You can probably guess the whole novel by reading that or the product description)
I so wanted to like this. And the start is promising, but after the first third the novel became a chore to read. I was never excited to pick it up, not really. It's a low-simmer book that never comes to a boil. Add characters who lack dimension (they are and do exactly what you think and never break that mold), and how most everyone sounds the same in this book, I would have DNF'd it if I hadn't switched to the audiobook, which is wonderfully produced. Hats off to the team and narrators behind it.
In the end I can't get past the predictability of the story, and I won't spoil it, but the final twist is... not worth it. I know it's supposed to be someone getting theirs, but it feels artificial. Forced. And honestly I won't remember this novel come New Year's.
2/5.