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indigodragonfly's review against another edition
3.0
There are some beautiful, poignant passages littered throughout this novel, which compelled me to continue albeit the storyline reads a but disjointed, the finale strikingly suddenly and worthy. One of my favorite musings:
Apparently, now and again adults take the time to sit down and contemplate what a disaster their life is. They complain without understanding and, like flies constantly banging against the same windowpane, they buzz around, suffer, waste away, get depressed then wonder how they got caught up in this spiral that is taking them where they don’t want to go. The most intelligent among them turn their malaise into religion: oh, the despicable vacuousness of bourgeois existence! ... “What has become of the dreams of our youth,” they ask, with a smug, disillusioned air. “Those years are long gone, and life’s a bitch.” I despise this false lucidity that comes with age. The truth is that they are just like everyone else: nothing more than kids without a clue about what has happened to them, acting big and tough when in fact all they want to do is burst into tears.
Apparently, now and again adults take the time to sit down and contemplate what a disaster their life is. They complain without understanding and, like flies constantly banging against the same windowpane, they buzz around, suffer, waste away, get depressed then wonder how they got caught up in this spiral that is taking them where they don’t want to go. The most intelligent among them turn their malaise into religion: oh, the despicable vacuousness of bourgeois existence! ... “What has become of the dreams of our youth,” they ask, with a smug, disillusioned air. “Those years are long gone, and life’s a bitch.” I despise this false lucidity that comes with age. The truth is that they are just like everyone else: nothing more than kids without a clue about what has happened to them, acting big and tough when in fact all they want to do is burst into tears.
lyndamr's review against another edition
4.0
Until over a third of the way through this book, I was not sure that I liked it -- certainly it's far more cerebral than I am and I don't read Tolstoy or philosophy or know my Dutch painters or watch Japanese films (not movies, films). So there was a lot that I didn't get in this book, especially since it was alternating diaries of two people in one building, one the concierge and one a 12 year old girl. But then change came to the building and with it, new vision, new possibilities. And I loved the book.
libby_libaryon's review against another edition
3.0
I had been meaning to read this novel for many years, and when I finally picked it up, I could barely finish it. For the first two-thirds, sad little characters went about their loosely connected lives. The author was trying to write (capital "I"!) Important pages filled with philosophy and suffering. I couldn't keep my eyes open. There was no number of cups of coffee to get me through it... so I slept a lot and read this book very slowly. For whatever reason, I kept with it and found, to my pleasant surprise, that the last third of the book was almost divine. The characters finally connect. It was beautiful how their friendships blossomed, and when it ended I cried (usually cause for 5 stars.. but the beginning was just unbearable).
ejans's review against another edition
4.0
I think the last two chapters make this book completely worth reading.
himazima's review against another edition
1.0
Really, a half-star if possible...better than zero stars! Pretentious is right!
kerrydwyernichols's review against another edition
5.0
Shelly, read this book. Another one that has characters that remind me in many ways of you!! This one is as rich as a truffle.
piratet's review against another edition
4.0
It was a little heavy for commute reading, but I appreciated all the philosophy and deep thinking of the main characters. I loved the "hiding in plain sight" theme, and the burden of upholding others' expectations of you.
But WHY kill off the main character just as life was getting fun for her? Must one be miserable and constantly in service to others to survive? Didn't they do that (and brilliantly) already in "American Beauty?" Boo.
But WHY kill off the main character just as life was getting fun for her? Must one be miserable and constantly in service to others to survive? Didn't they do that (and brilliantly) already in "American Beauty?" Boo.
hannahbeereads's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5 stars.
Beautiful prose at parts. Thoroughly annoying at others.
Beautiful prose at parts. Thoroughly annoying at others.
krikabee's review against another edition
5.0
Love love love. Cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially if you're a fan of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." Not the same, but similar. And a wonderful, thoughtful read.