thero159's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
johnnydemon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
bahamyulala's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
valjeanval's review against another edition
3.0
I think this would have been an awesome short story, but as a novel, I got a little overwhelmed by the protagonist's situation. I'm also pretty sure that a lot of the Wonderland madness going on in the Building as a clear parallel for the author's time and place that does not immediately translate to mine. I felt as frustrated as the protagonist trying to make sense of senseless bureaucracy, and I think it was an amazing concept. I just don't generally like to read to feel that frustrated. I felt like I was stuck in a Kubrick/Lynch crossover film with no end in sight.
I'm also not sure why the author bothered with the introduction. The introduction about the post-paperpocalypse world really grabbed me, and I was disappointed to not see it picked up at the end.
I'm also not sure why the author bothered with the introduction. The introduction about the post-paperpocalypse world really grabbed me, and I was disappointed to not see it picked up at the end.
lonecayt's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating premise (that the destruction of paper brings about an apocalypse of sorts) - though in this day and age, the human race would be able to survive something like that pretty easily. (But what would happen to toilet paper? Cardboard? Packaging? Trees?)
opentopersuasion's review against another edition
4.0
Confusing as hell but also very original. The author did a good job of conveying a sense of helplessness when faced with bureaucracy, and the uselessness of espionage when both parties are convinced of the other's treason. I wouldn't say I liked it, but I am impressed by it.
arthurbdd's review against another edition
5.0
Classic of dystopian SF and an insightful study of how authoritarianism impacts people's ability to communicate freely, and the psychological impact thereof. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2022/10/01/scrubs-up-well/
forever_amber's review against another edition
3.0
Добър замисъл, хареса ми основната заплаха, но, Бога ми, едва я дочетох. Толкова объркана и без фабула, страшен хаос и претрупаност. Почти нищо не разбрах - вярно е, че в първите стотина страници бях с махмурлук, но и като изтрезнях не стана по-добре, а накрая вече едва издържах.
Противно на популярното, изобщо не намерих допирни точки с Кафка и неговия „Замък“ (макар че тук имаме „Здание“ и множество коридори и канцеларии със секретарки). Още по-непопулярно - на моменти ми напомни на страшно недодялан Достоевски, тъй като в описанията на порочните вакханалии и хорските заслепения и паранои Фьодор Михайлович няма равен.
Все пак си струваше да я пробвам. Преводът на Силвия Борисова е страхотен.
Противно на популярното, изобщо не намерих допирни точки с Кафка и неговия „Замък“ (макар че тук имаме „Здание“ и множество коридори и канцеларии със секретарки). Още по-непопулярно - на моменти ми напомни на страшно недодялан Достоевски, тъй като в описанията на порочните вакханалии и хорските заслепения и паранои Фьодор Михайлович няма равен.
Все пак си струваше да я пробвам. Преводът на Силвия Борисова е страхотен.
bmcraec's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. I've read too much Pynchon and JUST ENOUGH David Foster Wallace to no longer care where this text is going. My paranoia levels and ability to get frustrated by intentional obfuscation is sufficient that I don't need the top-up. It's enough to think, correctly or not, that it might have influenced Terry Gilliam for the bureaucracy in motion scenes of The Ministry of Information in Brazil.