telemachus_ii_260's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ferdiaocairbre's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-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
4.0
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
3.0
The Dirty Dust is a book set in the West of Ireland in the 1940s. World War II is going on but more important for the characters are the goings on in their small town. Through the book the individuals discuss what is happening and gossip about their friends, neighbours and enemies. The twist is that all this takes place in the graveyard as the protagonists are all dead!
The concept of the Dirty Dust is unusual and works well. The author is able to give each of the characters their own individual voice which works well. All in all an enjoyable book.
The concept of the Dirty Dust is unusual and works well. The author is able to give each of the characters their own individual voice which works well. All in all an enjoyable book.
rubbersoul413's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
emmarj's review against another edition
2.0
As it turns out, the conversations of the dead is only very interesting for 100 pages or so.
The story (or stories) are found in the dialogue so you have to work for it. The reading can be difficult and confusing because there isn't even a "Patrick said' to guide you. You must learn each speaker's style of speech or recall who discusses who/what.
Anyway, I lost interest eventually because there isn't a whole lot of development in any of the stories. We learn a lot about all the different characters but it's all who had more money, who inherited what, who married whom, and so on for the entirely of the book.
The story (or stories) are found in the dialogue so you have to work for it. The reading can be difficult and confusing because there isn't even a "Patrick said' to guide you. You must learn each speaker's style of speech or recall who discusses who/what.
Anyway, I lost interest eventually because there isn't a whole lot of development in any of the stories. We learn a lot about all the different characters but it's all who had more money, who inherited what, who married whom, and so on for the entirely of the book.
rettaroo's review against another edition
Crass and funny and often difficult to follow as it is written almost entirely in unmediated dialog and has a pretty large cast of characters. Still, made me chuckle once I got into the rhythm.
It also made me a bit sad to realize how much petty grudges and obsessions dominate our existence… and in this case they dominate the afterlives of the men and women inhabiting the novel’s cemetery.
It also made me a bit sad to realize how much petty grudges and obsessions dominate our existence… and in this case they dominate the afterlives of the men and women inhabiting the novel’s cemetery.
jessnwoods's review against another edition
4.0
I'd love to be able to read this in the original language as I'm sure some magic gets lost in translation. That being said, I enjoyed this book's structure, characters, and presentation. Relatable in its annoyances and grievances, it's a book that causes both reflection and introspection.
kerriboland's review against another edition
3.0
DNF at 41%
My sleepless toddler fog didn't allow me to read this book - it's something I'd like to either listen to or come back to when I have more of a head on my shoulders.
My sleepless toddler fog didn't allow me to read this book - it's something I'd like to either listen to or come back to when I have more of a head on my shoulders.
jimgosailing's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book...and really struggled to finish it. I love the premise: that the dead continue to talk (and bitch and moan) just like they did before is hilarious. And that the main character does not have a gravestone and they keep dumping more bodies on top of her unmarked grave is even better.
The unidentified speakers didn’t bother me as much as it appears to have bothered other reviewers. But I did get to a point where there was just a certain sameness to what was being presented; while I wasn’t expecting “action” some manner of variation would have been nice. Or maybe it needed to be shorter...?
The unidentified speakers didn’t bother me as much as it appears to have bothered other reviewers. But I did get to a point where there was just a certain sameness to what was being presented; while I wasn’t expecting “action” some manner of variation would have been nice. Or maybe it needed to be shorter...?
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