ldewan's review against another edition
4.0
I loved so much about this book - the writing is lucid, crystal-hard and memorable. I'll be thinking about the heroine racing across the Nevada salt flats on her motorcycle, the Fastest Woman Alive, for some time - and I'll never listen to "Green Onions" the same way again. But there is a certain passivity at the center of the book, mirroring the central character's passivity in her moment. As she moves through fascinating and vividly-drawn circles (the New York art world, fading aristocracy and revolutionary youth in Italy) her lack of action or overt passion frustrated me. This may be true to that character's internal world in that moment, but Kushner makes you believe she has so much more waiting to emerge. I look forward to reading more work by this author - I believe she will bring many amazing characters to life.
claireanne33's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
chloesnotscared's review against another edition
dark
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
3.5
langwidere's review against another edition
4.0
beautifully written and compelling; what most struck me were the ways in which this felt like a truly original novel. what a treat!!
marksanders's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic beginning yields to being overly self aware writing in the end. I enjoyed the Hemmingway-esque economy of prose.
meh_10's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
barbarabarbara's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
mvlibrary's review against another edition
5.0
This novel had everything I love in a story - political commentary, historically accurate references and cultural explorations. Motorcycles. Italians. Art History. Tension. Cinema. Flawed characters to hold dear. Will be reading more Kushner.
mcatsambas's review against another edition
4.0
I never liked pages of random details until I read Rachel Kushner.