The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
anitaofplaybooktag's review against another edition
4.0
It's funny, I just looked back at my review for [b:Drop City|24724|Drop City|T.C. Boyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327936131s/24724.jpg|3159281], and somehow I want to write almost an identical review for this book even though the story is totally different. For me, reading Boyle is really not so much about the quality of the story he tells, but rather the way he tells it like no one else. His prose reminds me of a powerful waterfall . . .it's just water flowing over a cliff right, but somehow it evokes a certain feeling of awe in you when you look at it. Even though water alone or a cliff alone doesn't do the same. That's how Boyle's writing hits me. It starts off a little slow, but builds this momentum to where I can't stop thinking about the story and don't want to stop reading it. His work is populated with creative, not terribly likable characters, but he comes up with all sorts of fresh situations for them.
This book is almost like a saga with generations of the same families being described in the 17th century and the 20th century. The big picture theme is how the characters can't seem to escape the destiny outlined for them in the 17th century no matter how hard they try. Arguably, some don't try very hard. It's hard to really describe what Boyle does with these folks, but in one family line the characters keep being stricken with a desire to eat everything in sight. Another character eats dirt from his cellar when he is stressed. These quirks and foibles are throughout the book and add so much interest. Motivations are revealed, but more slowly so you have a chance to bring your own opinion to the table only to find out you are wrong.
Really well written book that deserves its spot on the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list.
This book is almost like a saga with generations of the same families being described in the 17th century and the 20th century. The big picture theme is how the characters can't seem to escape the destiny outlined for them in the 17th century no matter how hard they try. Arguably, some don't try very hard. It's hard to really describe what Boyle does with these folks, but in one family line the characters keep being stricken with a desire to eat everything in sight. Another character eats dirt from his cellar when he is stressed. These quirks and foibles are throughout the book and add so much interest. Motivations are revealed, but more slowly so you have a chance to bring your own opinion to the table only to find out you are wrong.
Really well written book that deserves its spot on the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list.
laylajohnston's review against another edition
3.0
I am a huge TC Boyle fan, but this was not my favorite work. Far too much of the stoic Indian stereotype. I did, however, appreciate the history of New York Dutch settlement.
shari_billops's review against another edition
World's End (Contemporary American Fiction) by T.C. Boyle (1990)
_durnin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-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
4.0
nexerix's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
beoooz's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hannahleewhite's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sarahreadsaverylot's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent writing and thorough lifelike characters, but I couldn't get into the story. For all its postmodern twisting and magical realism, I couldn't make myself care about the outcome. Liked the ending though.