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jimiboy's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katerockreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aprilnnp's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I've edited this review after hindsight reminded me that I really didn't enjoy the book all that much, and rated it too high probably bc I was so excited to be finished. 2.75 stars for at least holding me until the end.
So this one took a little while for me to sink into. It started slow, for me, didn't make much sense, I couldn't feel my way through. As the story unfolded and the way became clearer (marginally, and almost at the end), the enjoyability increased. Somewhat. I was more interested to find out where the heck the book was going, at least, even if the characters had shown zero growth or development. I generally love when books give you that "aha!" moment, and The Prestige was certainly full of them, but not in a particularly understandable fashion. I'm still a bit confused & confounded by some of the story, and honestly might could do with a re-read to try and work some of it out (although my desire to try this is pretty low), but what an interesting book-club pick if nothing but for discussion.
So this one took a little while for me to sink into. It started slow, for me, didn't make much sense, I couldn't feel my way through. As the story unfolded and the way became clearer (marginally, and almost at the end), the enjoyability increased. Somewhat. I was more interested to find out where the heck the book was going, at least, even if the characters had shown zero growth or development. I generally love when books give you that "aha!" moment, and The Prestige was certainly full of them, but not in a particularly understandable fashion. I'm still a bit confused & confounded by some of the story, and honestly might could do with a re-read to try and work some of it out (although my desire to try this is pretty low), but what an interesting book-club pick if nothing but for discussion.
soverthetop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
thekatiefu's review against another edition
5.0
Well that book sure is a whole lot freakier than the movie! The story of the magicians is the same, taken directly from parts of this book, but the book gives so much more detail. It is so interesting hearing the magicians' stories each from their own point of view. I see why the movie did not include the framing story and characters--the magicians are so much more interesting--but wow, that frame increased the drama and the scare-factor. Very cool.
puggsy_pagusi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lizzthefabulous's review against another edition
5.0
The 2006 film is my absolute favorite movie, so I knew I wanted to sit down and read the book. While I agree with other reviewers that the movie did a better job of condensing the storyline and making the characters like-able, I couldn’t put this book down.
Taken away from the movie, this book has an intricate plot line with multiple different narratives that weave together at the end. There’s plot twists (not going to spoil anything) and surprises that impressed me even though I already knew what was going to happen.
While I still prefer the movie slightly, I credit that to the amazing work that the Nolan Brothers did when adapting the novel into a screenplay. The book is still worth the read, especially if you haven’t seen the film and are curious about the dramatic reveal, or “the prestige”.
Taken away from the movie, this book has an intricate plot line with multiple different narratives that weave together at the end. There’s plot twists (not going to spoil anything) and surprises that impressed me even though I already knew what was going to happen.
While I still prefer the movie slightly, I credit that to the amazing work that the Nolan Brothers did when adapting the novel into a screenplay. The book is still worth the read, especially if you haven’t seen the film and are curious about the dramatic reveal, or “the prestige”.
radella_hardwick's review against another edition
3.25
Really cool core concept and the two unreliable narrations were neat
But the present-day frame-story was too far-fetched
andthe wraith version being functionally immortal was just stupid
But the present-day frame-story was too far-fetched
and
munocr's review against another edition
4.0
This was an audible channel selection on the "Better then the Movie" channel... the movie was great, but the novel is by far better.
ratkowe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The last 10 pages of this book read like a horror novel. The rest of the book was intriguing enough. I enjoyed the different perspectives, some parts more than others though.