elm's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
My heart has been completely pulverised.. holy hell
My heart has been completely pulverised.. holy hell
lady_mel's review against another edition
3.0
The prose of this book is absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed the beginning chapters, and the end was heartbreaking, but, to me, the middle was muddled and confusing.
Sobran Jodeau was young man who was pining because his parents wouldn't let him marry the girl he'd fallen in love in love with. Sobran was drunk, and when he passed out, an angel caught him before he hit the ground. The angel, who's name is Xas, and Sobran make a pact to meet every year on the same night.
Sobran Jodeau was young man who was pining because his parents wouldn't let him marry the girl he'd fallen in love in love with. Sobran was drunk, and when he passed out, an angel caught him before he hit the ground. The angel, who's name is Xas, and Sobran make a pact to meet every year on the same night.
lolatarantula's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This book was just so unusual and out of my normal range that I'm not sure what to make of it. Odd moments of whitewashing and Christian-centric thought aside, I don't have the brain power to explain why I liked this book so much, and I did ultimately like it a lot. It meandered in a comforting way but as a result if I was asked to summarize the plot and story I truly couldn't do so. The language was beautiful and some moments of dialogue and character really stood out, yet at the same time the cast of thousands felt a bit stretched at times.
Truly a well written book prose-wise, but I feel uneasy about the way the author handled Islam and "religion" as a whole. Maybe I'm digging too deep, but with the way people talk about this book and its philosophies, plus the symbolism and deep moments in this book, I can't imagine that the portrayals of Jesus and other moments regarding 'real life' things could be unintentionally misrepresented. Especially when the book is so full of historical references already, it's like the author didn't really do the research when it comes to the Abrahamic religions and was simply going off what was taught in Sunday school. That was the thing that made me drop the rating more than anything else. I don't know if anyone from the Muslim or Jewish community has discussed this book, but I'd be interested in hearing what they had to say.
This book was just so unusual and out of my normal range that I'm not sure what to make of it. Odd moments of whitewashing and Christian-centric thought aside, I don't have the brain power to explain why I liked this book so much, and I did ultimately like it a lot. It meandered in a comforting way but as a result if I was asked to summarize the plot and story I truly couldn't do so. The language was beautiful and some moments of dialogue and character really stood out, yet at the same time the cast of thousands felt a bit stretched at times.
Truly a well written book prose-wise, but I feel uneasy about the way the author handled Islam and "religion" as a whole. Maybe I'm digging too deep, but with the way people talk about this book and its philosophies, plus the symbolism and deep moments in this book, I can't imagine that the portrayals of Jesus and other moments regarding 'real life' things could be unintentionally misrepresented. Especially when the book is so full of historical references already, it's like the author didn't really do the research when it comes to the Abrahamic religions and was simply going off what was taught in Sunday school. That was the thing that made me drop the rating more than anything else. I don't know if anyone from the Muslim or Jewish community has discussed this book, but I'd be interested in hearing what they had to say.
maplessence's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
The first time I read this I was totally engaged, this time not so much. I think the period when was when both I & this book lost focus.
The prose is still so beautiful & lyrical to read though and at the start I soared with the story & found the book very hard to put down. & I loved the chapter headings- all connected with winemaking and all relevant to the chapter.
Not perfect but still most highly recommended.
Edit; Sounds like the 2009 film managed to miss the whole point of the book.I think I'll skip it.
The first time I read this I was totally engaged, this time not so much. I think the period when
Spoiler
Xas the angel disappearedThe prose is still so beautiful & lyrical to read though and at the start I soared with the story & found the book very hard to put down. & I loved the chapter headings- all connected with winemaking and all relevant to the chapter.
Not perfect but still most highly recommended.
Edit; Sounds like the 2009 film managed to miss the whole point of the book.
Spoiler
The love between Xas & Sobranquinndm's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful story about love and death, lust and life, murder and luck, that loses a little of its 'magic' with the writing style. It took me a few chapters to 'feel' involved with the world and characters in the book.
I don't think I will ever forget Xas or Sobran. A truly beautiful book.
I don't think I will ever forget Xas or Sobran. A truly beautiful book.
cronut's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
finchiy's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
enthralling read, beautiful plot and writing with compelling characters. a shame it started dragging at the 3/4 mark.