irinasusan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
2.0
I really don't know how I feel about this book. I think... it was OK. But I feel guilty giving it two stars and just an "It was OK" for some reason. I don't have it in me to write a true review for this at the moment. I barely had it in me to finish this book to the end. Maybe later... maybe.
ihaveadream_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
whatholliereads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
blobry's review against another edition
5.0
This book is in my top five favorite books of all time. The ending makes me cry every single time.
aldusa's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nerdyrev's review against another edition
4.0
This book is ginormous. I have to state that in the very beginning. At 900+ pages, this is a book that will take a bit to get through. I was so happy when I received it though because I am a big fan of Auster, which is why I was surprised at how long this book was. He usually has a way of writing that is straightforward and to the point, at least the ones I read.
I will also state that if you are interested in reading an Auster book, this would not be the one I would start with. I would probably begin with his more famous New York Triliogy or one of his others. Even though this was a great book, and it is, I wouldn't say this captures who Auster is or what type of writer he is. That is not to say that this was a bad book, not by a long shot, but this is one that needs easing into.
This book follows Ferguson through four different lifetimes from birth until death, four times from four different angles. It deals with the what ifs that follow us in life- what if path A were chosen instead of Path B? Well, if Path A is taken these things happen and if Path B is taken these things happen. Now what if the life is so changed that Path A and Path B never become a choice? This is essentially what this book is about. What if Ferguson lived his life in 4 different ways, what would become of him?
To say this was an ambitious book is an understatement. This is an epic book, but also not without its flaws. The book rests entirely on Ferguson's shoulders and I felt the issue was that Ferguson was a tough one to like, but that is just me. I also kept forgetting what storyline I was reading as I was reading it, but that is on me and the copy I received. I am not one to whine and moan that I got a galley, as I am so grateful I do, but this one had a very tiny font that I could not increase. I had to put it down, wait for the book to come out, and then purchase it later. I enjoyed it and paid attention much better, but at that point I was about 400 pages in and didn't want to restart it.
I gave this one 4 stars
I want to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I received it with the intent that I would write an honest review.
I will also state that if you are interested in reading an Auster book, this would not be the one I would start with. I would probably begin with his more famous New York Triliogy or one of his others. Even though this was a great book, and it is, I wouldn't say this captures who Auster is or what type of writer he is. That is not to say that this was a bad book, not by a long shot, but this is one that needs easing into.
This book follows Ferguson through four different lifetimes from birth until death, four times from four different angles. It deals with the what ifs that follow us in life- what if path A were chosen instead of Path B? Well, if Path A is taken these things happen and if Path B is taken these things happen. Now what if the life is so changed that Path A and Path B never become a choice? This is essentially what this book is about. What if Ferguson lived his life in 4 different ways, what would become of him?
To say this was an ambitious book is an understatement. This is an epic book, but also not without its flaws. The book rests entirely on Ferguson's shoulders and I felt the issue was that Ferguson was a tough one to like, but that is just me. I also kept forgetting what storyline I was reading as I was reading it, but that is on me and the copy I received. I am not one to whine and moan that I got a galley, as I am so grateful I do, but this one had a very tiny font that I could not increase. I had to put it down, wait for the book to come out, and then purchase it later. I enjoyed it and paid attention much better, but at that point I was about 400 pages in and didn't want to restart it.
I gave this one 4 stars
I want to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I received it with the intent that I would write an honest review.
giuli_lec's review against another edition
5.0
Questo libro mi ha fatto compagnia per ben un anno e tre mesi.
Non nascondo che a tratti è stato pesante da leggere, perché fin troppo ricco di informazioni storiche (utilissime per immergersi nel contesto del racconto) che mi destabilizzavano rispetto alla storia di Archie.
Però, che viaggio meraviglioso è stato!
Sono turbata, emozionata, stupita, arrabbiata, triste. Un turbinio di emozioni per questi quattro Archie che hanno conquistato il mio cuore.
Questo libro è una vera opera d'arte e lo dimostrano le sue ultime sei pagine.
Non nascondo che a tratti è stato pesante da leggere, perché fin troppo ricco di informazioni storiche (utilissime per immergersi nel contesto del racconto) che mi destabilizzavano rispetto alla storia di Archie.
Però, che viaggio meraviglioso è stato!
Sono turbata, emozionata, stupita, arrabbiata, triste. Un turbinio di emozioni per questi quattro Archie che hanno conquistato il mio cuore.
Questo libro è una vera opera d'arte e lo dimostrano le sue ultime sei pagine.