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anderson65's review against another edition
4.0
The bouquets! Social x-rays, the Masters of the Universe, the 20th century.
RIP, Tom Wolfe.
RIP, Tom Wolfe.
taramarion's review against another edition
4.0
While I was reading this book, I was amused to learn that Trump once said Tom Wolfe was his favorite author and that he really enjoyed Wolfe’s last book, which just so happened to be Bonfire of the Vanities, unbeknownst to him. When specifically asked about this book, he admitted he hadn’t read it. What an idiot! It was a great book. He’s missing out.
acsaper's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome! A realistic novel of the first order!
Tom Wolfe brings to life such vibrant and engaging characters, intricately intertwining their lives with the social conscience of the American reader.
As the legal drama of the century unfolds in the South Bronx I couldn't help but be sucked into the McCoy case, ripping through chapters as New Yorkers undoubtedly ripped through Peter Fallow's articles!
Tom Wolfe brings to life such vibrant and engaging characters, intricately intertwining their lives with the social conscience of the American reader.
As the legal drama of the century unfolds in the South Bronx I couldn't help but be sucked into the McCoy case, ripping through chapters as New Yorkers undoubtedly ripped through Peter Fallow's articles!
natkingcole's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
charles9012's review against another edition
4.0
I'll go 3.5 stars on this one. Weird contradiction- even though the book eventually got going to a breakneck pace, it felt in spots like it took forever to get to the point.
bhable's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mborer23's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting look at New York in the 1980s, the old pre-Bloomberg, pre-Disney Big Rotten Apple, and its racial discord.
Bonfire boasts thoroughly unpleasant characters, biting satire, merciless dissection of characters into their most embarrassing, shameful thoughts and desires. It's a bit long-winded, as Wolfe tends to be, so read at your own risk.
Recommended companion reading: Julie Salomon's The Devil's Candy," about the impossible task of translating this sprawling opus into a 2-hour movie (which turned out to be a flop), and how it affected those involved.
Bonfire boasts thoroughly unpleasant characters, biting satire, merciless dissection of characters into their most embarrassing, shameful thoughts and desires. It's a bit long-winded, as Wolfe tends to be, so read at your own risk.
Recommended companion reading: Julie Salomon's The Devil's Candy," about the impossible task of translating this sprawling opus into a 2-hour movie (which turned out to be a flop), and how it affected those involved.
dom_jones's review against another edition
4.0
Very easy to read and an entertaining plot, not quite outweighed by the horrible movie poster cover. Read as a reflection of 1980s New York and it’s corresponding social conflicts, this book has some interesting aspects.
The character of Rev. Bacon stuck out to me, particularly the way he outlines his ideology to the DA’s office in chapter 6. The idea of weaponising minority anger is a valid and deep topic, even if Bacon’s exploitation of it for financial gain is reprehensible.
I did find Wolfe’s representations of black characters somewhat problematic through this book. Black characters seem to be reduced to the status of comic, violent, self serving thugs, with their community undermined by central tenets of violence and crime.
On the other hand, Wolfe’s depiction of white characters is equally unflattering. All male characters come with plenty of laughable ego and self-importance - the complete takedown of the DA’s assistant Kramer at the end of the novel is very satisfying. The novel’s many diner dates between characters particularly highlight male ego and self importance, with characters boring their female or otherwise ‘subordinate’ companions.
Overall, quite a fun novel with deeper points to be taken too - enjoyed.
The character of Rev. Bacon stuck out to me, particularly the way he outlines his ideology to the DA’s office in chapter 6. The idea of weaponising minority anger is a valid and deep topic, even if Bacon’s exploitation of it for financial gain is reprehensible.
I did find Wolfe’s representations of black characters somewhat problematic through this book. Black characters seem to be reduced to the status of comic, violent, self serving thugs, with their community undermined by central tenets of violence and crime.
On the other hand, Wolfe’s depiction of white characters is equally unflattering. All male characters come with plenty of laughable ego and self-importance - the complete takedown of the DA’s assistant Kramer at the end of the novel is very satisfying. The novel’s many diner dates between characters particularly highlight male ego and self importance, with characters boring their female or otherwise ‘subordinate’ companions.
Overall, quite a fun novel with deeper points to be taken too - enjoyed.
stonefields02's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely brilliant. Tom Wolfe will always be one of my favorites.
ashleyconnor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
May now be one of my all time favorites. Wolfe is a masterful storyteller. You get just the right amount of detail at the just right times. Perfectly woven plot, complex but not over-indulgent. I say this as someone who did not love The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, so if you didn’t like Wolfe before, it’s worth giving this one a shot.
Amongst all of its broader themes, I loved most the comical reminder of how self-centered we all are. Even if you can’t relate to the characters in a moral sense, the way they see the actions of others only in relation to themselves is a familiar thought pattern for many of us, and a good reminder that many times, it’s quite the opposite.
Amongst all of its broader themes, I loved most the comical reminder of how self-centered we all are. Even if you can’t relate to the characters in a moral sense, the way they see the actions of others only in relation to themselves is a familiar thought pattern for many of us, and a good reminder that many times, it’s quite the opposite.