carlandlouise's review against another edition
2.0
i see why other people may like this book, but it did nothing for me. i did not care about any of the characters, so the abundant detail we hear about their lives became boring very quickly.
reinhardt's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Found the character’s actions and responses to be a bit ridiculous. It try’s to be heavy and carry the weight of fate bearing down on one man, but it crumbles.
The dialog is well constructed, but the character make a lot of choices that seem contrived. It would be interesting to meet people like the character’s but the feel phones to me.
The dialog is well constructed, but the character make a lot of choices that seem contrived. It would be interesting to meet people like the character’s but the feel phones to me.
andytorino's review against another edition
4.0
While it maintains distance from the reader through its alienating vision of a society on the brink of destruction, it also manages to capture the so-called grace notes: people waking up, having breakfast, sitting down for a drink, celebrating, spending time together, etc.
itssmelley's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
8797999's review against another edition
5.0
Although this is a very tragic tale, I do enjoy reading this at Christmas and being transported back to the 1930s. It is a product of its time and the men and attitudes are dated by today's standard but it is a fascinating vignette into life, and how from a single incident (and alcoholism) things can tragically snowball downwards.
I enjoyed the book even more this time around and it is haunting, engrossing and sobering read. I somehow have never got around to reading more by John O'Hara but always read this, I should endeavour to change that in 2023.
I enjoyed the book even more this time around and it is haunting, engrossing and sobering read. I somehow have never got around to reading more by John O'Hara but always read this, I should endeavour to change that in 2023.
ladyofbooks's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. A book that really didn't work for me. Didn't like the writing style, main character, or the story. I managed half before dnf'ing.
sjh8123's review against another edition
2.0
Wasn't really my cup of tea. Had a hard time finishing it. I think I struggle with books that take place over the course of a day or two. It was well written though.
suprconman99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A slow burn that becomes increasingly compulsively readable as the story progresses, thanks to O’Hara’s incredibly tight, snappy writing and absorbing dialogue and characterization.
Part character study, part condemnation of the self-absorbed small town elite in Prohibition-era America, who ruin their own and each other’s lives with reckless abandon. And an eerie look at how one seemingly insignificant lapse of judgment can trigger a catastrophic series of events that sends an already discontented person over the edge. The moments when we, the reader, sympathize with Julian’s most self-destructive impulses are the moments when O’Hara shows us how we, too, feel stifled in our day-to-day lives by the constraints of superficial “polite” society.
Part character study, part condemnation of the self-absorbed small town elite in Prohibition-era America, who ruin their own and each other’s lives with reckless abandon. And an eerie look at how one seemingly insignificant lapse of judgment can trigger a catastrophic series of events that sends an already discontented person over the edge. The moments when we, the reader, sympathize with Julian’s most self-destructive impulses are the moments when O’Hara shows us how we, too, feel stifled in our day-to-day lives by the constraints of superficial “polite” society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Infidelity
rwhitney22's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.0