chairmanbernanke's review against another edition
3.0
Quirky style of writing, and an alright story.
dllh's review against another edition
2.0
Kind of a disappointment. Gaddis confronts religion more directly and simply in this book than in any of his others, and yet the book itself turns out to be just so-so, far inferior to his others.
kilburnadam's review against another edition
5.0
Goodreads recommended me The Recognitions, because I'd read Infinite Jest. Loved it from the start, and ordered JR before I'd even finished The Recognitions. Also loved JR.
My plan is to read all of Gaddis's novels in chronological order.
From what I've read of his work, this is his most coherent book. It's not The Recognitions, or JR. But I still fell that it deserves five stars.
He has a very distinctive style. Which I enjoy immensely. I'm going to have to break my self-imposed book buying ban, and immediately order A Frolic of His Own.
My plan is to read all of Gaddis's novels in chronological order.
From what I've read of his work, this is his most coherent book. It's not The Recognitions, or JR. But I still fell that it deserves five stars.
He has a very distinctive style. Which I enjoy immensely. I'm going to have to break my self-imposed book buying ban, and immediately order A Frolic of His Own.
ayarezk's review against another edition
4.0
I wanna give Lizzy a hug, and punch everyone else in the face. Every time I (hear) her standing up for herself in a conversation, I start cheering.
I love stories that begin with revealing the ending. This is my first Gaddis experience and definitely not the last. The language is very accessible. I've read a lot of books about WW II but this is the first time I've read something that touches Vietnam. The Africa thing (no spoilers) is genius. I loved the play-like dialogue structure.
The book in a word: Strangelovian!
I love stories that begin with revealing the ending. This is my first Gaddis experience and definitely not the last. The language is very accessible. I've read a lot of books about WW II but this is the first time I've read something that touches Vietnam. The Africa thing (no spoilers) is genius. I loved the play-like dialogue structure.
The book in a word: Strangelovian!
shoba's review against another edition
4.0
No now listen here, his picture on the front page all over the country they’s going to be Yankees seeing it too, it better just be the regular American flag….
kingkong's review against another edition
3.0
As tempting as a short Gaddis might be, his other books are way better
adrianasturalvarez's review against another edition
4.0
Gaddis' writing is virtuosic, the format of dialogue and prose both a unique and fitting style to compliment thematic elements. This is undeniably an important novel but...
Spending time with an abusive alcoholic as he drinks and rants in his kitchen was trying. The character of Paul is like an unlikable Walter Sobchak from The Big Lebowski. A Walter Sobchak in real life.
This is a dark and pessimistic vision that was all the more difficult to read situated in the politics of 2019. I'm probably going to put off The Recognitions a little while longer.
Spending time with an abusive alcoholic as he drinks and rants in his kitchen was trying. The character of Paul is like an unlikable Walter Sobchak from The Big Lebowski. A Walter Sobchak in real life.
This is a dark and pessimistic vision that was all the more difficult to read situated in the politics of 2019. I'm probably going to put off The Recognitions a little while longer.