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mikaylahartk's review against another edition
4.0
Wish I could give this 3.5 stars. I loved Mitchell's characters, and even though I didn't get to enjoy the nostalgia-bath from his endless 70s rock and roll references, I enjoyed the colorful world of Utopia Avenue. Stick through the first few chapters and you'll be sure to enjoy this motley-group-turned-superstars. Their interactions are the best part of the book, a story of true friendship and collaboration between 5 musical talents (I include Levon, of course).
Without giving spoilers, this book also ties up a lot of the incredibly confusing and seemingly dead-ends of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. I appreciated the clarity as well as the cameos of other characters I enjoyed in some of his other books.
Ok, now for spoilers. Stop reading here if you'd like to avoid.
Dean Moss's sudden death at the hands of careless teenage robbers is completely rushed and random. I expect better of a seasoned writer than Mitchell than to just kill off a character in order to end the book, which admittedly just started to meander towards the end. Once the band reached sufficient popularity, the principal driver of the plot eased, and without Jasper's horological crisis there's little tension to carry the book to its end. Dean's death and the half hearted epilogue that resurrects the third album seemed perfunctory and lacked the necessary emotional gooeyness (to use the technical term) to make it stick. Ultimately, my sense of this book is that Mitchell wanted to clear up the very confusing ending of the first de Zoet book but also wanted to sell a full novel on its own, so he filled in a plot around Jasper's story, which was where he seemed to truly invest his creativity (Elf's story is an exception, but only at parts). Overall an enjoyable read, but ultimately lacking in the creativity and verve I'd hoped for.
Without giving spoilers, this book also ties up a lot of the incredibly confusing and seemingly dead-ends of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. I appreciated the clarity as well as the cameos of other characters I enjoyed in some of his other books.
Ok, now for spoilers. Stop reading here if you'd like to avoid.
Dean Moss's sudden death at the hands of careless teenage robbers is completely rushed and random. I expect better of a seasoned writer than Mitchell than to just kill off a character in order to end the book, which admittedly just started to meander towards the end. Once the band reached sufficient popularity, the principal driver of the plot eased, and without Jasper's horological crisis there's little tension to carry the book to its end. Dean's death and the half hearted epilogue that resurrects the third album seemed perfunctory and lacked the necessary emotional gooeyness (to use the technical term) to make it stick. Ultimately, my sense of this book is that Mitchell wanted to clear up the very confusing ending of the first de Zoet book but also wanted to sell a full novel on its own, so he filled in a plot around Jasper's story, which was where he seemed to truly invest his creativity (Elf's story is an exception, but only at parts). Overall an enjoyable read, but ultimately lacking in the creativity and verve I'd hoped for.
meaghan's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
rebeccatamar's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve never wanted to hear fictional songs as much as I want to hear these. I want to live in this book— if i could, I’d make this band my entire personality. David Mitchell is a genuine genius.
mavis_tully's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carrieemoran's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title. Wow, I got sucked right in to this book. I am a child of the 90s, but have an appreciation for the mystique & music from the late 1960s. I am also a huge fan of David Mitchell's complex storytelling through the voices of multiple characters, and I found this work to be more accessible than other of his books like Cloud Atlas.
The story of four strangers, really five if you count their manager, coming together to form a talented band was wonderful on its own. It was also fun to have characters such as Janis Joplin, David Bowie, and Mama Cass show up at varying stages in their fame. I felt very compelled to keep reading, and was sad when it ended.
The story of four strangers, really five if you count their manager, coming together to form a talented band was wonderful on its own. It was also fun to have characters such as Janis Joplin, David Bowie, and Mama Cass show up at varying stages in their fame. I felt very compelled to keep reading, and was sad when it ended.
anteus7's review against another edition
5.0
Every David Mitchell book that I read opens up the world he has created (because, so far, they are all connected by places, people, events), and I then find myself wanting to just grab a stack of everything of his I have not read yet and plow through it. His work should be savored, though, so I will refrain. It would be sad to run out of Mitchell to read.
I read a couple of reviews of this book before reading that led me to believe one could read this book in a couple of ways. I could ignore its connection to the other books in Mitchell's world and read it as a stand-alone, or I could slot it into its spot in that world. I think the latter is appropriate for this one. Specifically, you should read _The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet_ first. That one is very important to the narrative of this novel (it's why I picked this one up and put it down--I found a de Zoet in the story and knew that I had an unread de Zoet on the shelf). There are other references you might pick up from reading _The Bone Clocks_ or _Black Swan Green_ but those are less important.
Great book!
I read a couple of reviews of this book before reading that led me to believe one could read this book in a couple of ways. I could ignore its connection to the other books in Mitchell's world and read it as a stand-alone, or I could slot it into its spot in that world. I think the latter is appropriate for this one. Specifically, you should read _The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet_ first. That one is very important to the narrative of this novel (it's why I picked this one up and put it down--I found a de Zoet in the story and knew that I had an unread de Zoet on the shelf). There are other references you might pick up from reading _The Bone Clocks_ or _Black Swan Green_ but those are less important.
Great book!
raygersh's review against another edition
4.0
For anyone seeking a classic tale of the rise to rock and roll fame, but set in the mildly magically realistic Mitchellverse, this is the book for you. It is a very specific audience, but there are quite a few of us. Many readers see this novel as an excuse for David Mitchell to show off his expansive worlds and the connections between each of his characters, with a smattering of hundreds of 60s rock references just because he can. Well, they’re not wrong. But that didn’t mean I enjoyed it any less.
Mitchell’s lyrical and insightful writing has a way of sticking its hooks in you. His greatest strength is his ability to seamlessly transition from character to character, each with such depth that you can visualize them inhabiting full lives. His mesmeric style along with the group dynamics of the band were the key strengths of Utopia Avenue, not to mention that it was just so British.
Unfortunately, I feel like the story meandered a bit in the last quarter of the novel. Some plotlines were wrapped up too tidily with a bow, while others were left messy and unkempt. I have a couple of other complaints, but they are all too spoiler-y so I will just wallow over them for the next five days.
Overall: Enjoyable from start to finish and a beautiful ode to the art of good music.
Mitchell’s lyrical and insightful writing has a way of sticking its hooks in you. His greatest strength is his ability to seamlessly transition from character to character, each with such depth that you can visualize them inhabiting full lives. His mesmeric style along with the group dynamics of the band were the key strengths of Utopia Avenue, not to mention that it was just so British.
Unfortunately, I feel like the story meandered a bit in the last quarter of the novel. Some plotlines were wrapped up too tidily with a bow, while others were left messy and unkempt. I have a couple of other complaints, but they are all too spoiler-y so I will just wallow over them for the next five days.
Overall: Enjoyable from start to finish and a beautiful ode to the art of good music.
lenaroschitz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aileenwilson's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
textual_sensations's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A Vibrant and Immersive Novel: A Review of "Utopia Avenue" by David Mitchell
David Mitchell's "Utopia Avenue" is a captivating and immersive novel that delves into the world of music, art, and counterculture in the late 1960s. This sweeping narrative follows the lives of four young musicians, Jasper, Elf, Dean, and Griff, as they form a psychedelic rock band, Utopia Avenue, and navigate the complexities of fame, creativity, and identity.
Mitchell's writing is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together multiple narratives, genres, and styles to create a rich tapestry of sound, image, and emotion. The novel is a love letter to the music of the 1960s, with vivid descriptions of gigs, recordings, and rehearsals that transport the reader to the era of psychedelia and folk rock.
The characters are complex and multidimensional, with each one bringing their unique perspective and experiences to the band. Jasper, the charismatic frontman, is a compelling figure, driven by a desire for creative expression and connection with his audience. Elf, the band's keyboardist, is a quiet, introspective genius, whose musical talents are matched only by her emotional depth. Dean, the drummer, is a lovable, laid-back hippie, whose easygoing nature belies a sharp intelligence and wit. Griff, the bassist, is a brooding, intense figure, whose troubled past and complicated relationships with his bandmates threaten to derail the group's success.
Throughout the novel, Mitchell explores themes of creativity, identity, and community, raising important questions about the role of art in society and the tension between individual expression and collective responsibility. The novel is also a nuanced portrayal of the social and cultural upheavals of the 1960s, including the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the emergence of feminist and LGBTQ+ activism.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its ability to balance the personal and the historical, creating a narrative that is both intimate and epic in scope. Mitchell's prose is lyrical and evocative, with a keen attention to detail that brings the world of Utopia Avenue to life.
In short, "Utopia Avenue" is a triumph of contemporary fiction, a novel that will appeal to fans of music, art, and culture, as well as anyone interested in the complexities of human experience.
Recommendation: If you enjoy literary fiction, music, or the 1960s counterculture, you'll love "Utopia Avenue". Fans of David Mitchell's previous work, such as "Cloud Atlas" or "The Bone Clocks", will also appreciate this novel's unique blend of storytelling, style, and themes.
Content Warnings
1. Mental health struggles: The novel explores themes of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
2. Substance abuse: Characters struggle with addiction and substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs.
3. Queerphobia and transphobia: The book touches on the experiences of queer characters and the discrimination they face.
4. Trauma and abuse: The narrative hints at past traumas and abusive relationships.
5. Grief and loss: The novel explores the complexities of mourning and bereavement.
6. Identity struggles: Characters grapple with questions of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance.
7. Magical realism with dark undertones: Some scenes feature eerie, unsettling, or supernatural elements.
8. Complex relationships: The book portrays complex, sometimes toxic, relationships.
9. Emotional intensity: The novel's exploration of emotions, particularly grief and anxiety, can be emotionally intense.
10. Historical context: The novel is set in the 1960s, and some scenes depict racist, sexist, and homophobic attitudes and behaviors.
If you're sensitive to any of these topics, please be aware that they are present in the book. However, Mitchell's writing is ultimately hopeful and empowering, offering a powerful exploration of identity, love, and self-discovery.