natepeplinski's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
joshsimp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
bimeariver's review against another edition
will be returning back to in due time, my brain just feels too sluggish for this one.
oisinofthehill's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
classically_book_clubbin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kimplane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
fattoush's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
david_rhee's review against another edition
4.0
The sequence of events in At Swim-Two-Birds is so wild and strange that it challenges the reader to convince himself that he has understood it correctly before he can progress to enjoying its weirdness. The opening is convincing and easy to relate to. A university student who spends most of his time imbibing stout and reclining in bed is hounded by his uncle for being too slothful to amount to anything. With all appearances being what they were, the uncle is justified in his thinking. He just had no idea what his nephew was up to. It turns out the student is busy at work writing a novel. Call it playfulness or irresponsible literary creation, but the characters of his narratives meet up and struggle and revolt against each other.
As separate storylines tumble into each other, we meet the Pooka, the charming devil, and the invisible but impossible to ignore Good Fairy. We also meet Dermot Trellis the novelist and his characters who resent their creator because they just want to live their own lives. All of this, remember, is the product of an overactive imagination of a remarkably sedentary student. This is just so different and wacky it's almost impossible not to like.
As separate storylines tumble into each other, we meet the Pooka, the charming devil, and the invisible but impossible to ignore Good Fairy. We also meet Dermot Trellis the novelist and his characters who resent their creator because they just want to live their own lives. All of this, remember, is the product of an overactive imagination of a remarkably sedentary student. This is just so different and wacky it's almost impossible not to like.