katrinky's review against another edition
3.0
Razor sharp commentary on the publishing industry, prize-selection committees in particular. Funny, inventive, and keenly observed. This will be included in my summer (ish) reading roundup on the Bookpeople blog later this month!
sensitive_boy's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bundy23's review against another edition
1.0
DNF.
I'm assuming this was a comedy but as I didn’t even crack a single smile in about an hour with this book I decided that it wasn't really worth continuing with. Plus, all the characters are awful.
The biggest problem with “wit” is that when it goes wrong, all you’re usually left with is a bunch of rich, arrogant fuckwits that I’d never spend a single second in the company of.
I'm assuming this was a comedy but as I didn’t even crack a single smile in about an hour with this book I decided that it wasn't really worth continuing with. Plus, all the characters are awful.
The biggest problem with “wit” is that when it goes wrong, all you’re usually left with is a bunch of rich, arrogant fuckwits that I’d never spend a single second in the company of.
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
The Patrick Melrose novels have been on my To Buy/To Read list for a while now, but when this book crossed my path I decided not to wait for those to become acquainted with St. Aubyn's oeuvre. And am I glad I didn't wait!
If you aren't familiar with overly pompous English-literature-speak, some of this won't make a lot of sense. But if you are, it can be quite funny reading the arguments about why each book submitted to the Elysian Prize committee is worth, or unworthy. And Benoit! I swear I've worked with him... The problem is, to explain more would be to delve into textuality and satire and all those other pretentious buzzwords, so let's just say I enjoyed the read and am looking forward to reading his other works.
If you aren't familiar with overly pompous English-literature-speak, some of this won't make a lot of sense. But if you are, it can be quite funny reading the arguments about why each book submitted to the Elysian Prize committee is worth, or unworthy. And Benoit! I swear I've worked with him... The problem is, to explain more would be to delve into textuality and satire and all those other pretentious buzzwords, so let's just say I enjoyed the read and am looking forward to reading his other works.
mayarelmahdy's review against another edition
4.0
I was in my bed remembering a scene from my attempt to read Patrick Melrose when I thought "Hey, I have a book by the same author on my phone!". That's how I got to this.
It tells a funny story with over a dozen characters and scenes from other novels some of them have merits to become actual complete ones. It's about a prize that chooses one of 200 books by the help of a panel of judges, each of them has their own agenda.
The process is odd and non-professional and many ways, and the fact that this novel, which discusses the process of choosing a winner, has won a prize is hilarious at its own merits. Talk about irony.
I loved every minute of this book; the character, the choosing process, the novels it... everything was so good.
Can't wait to actually read Patrick Melrose next.
It tells a funny story with over a dozen characters and scenes from other novels some of them have merits to become actual complete ones. It's about a prize that chooses one of 200 books by the help of a panel of judges, each of them has their own agenda.
The process is odd and non-professional and many ways, and the fact that this novel, which discusses the process of choosing a winner, has won a prize is hilarious at its own merits. Talk about irony.
I loved every minute of this book; the character, the choosing process, the novels it... everything was so good.
Can't wait to actually read Patrick Melrose next.
liisae's review against another edition
3.0
I love St. Aubyn's writing, I'm so glad to have discovered his books this year. I really enjoy his philosophies; it feels like every other sentence is giving me something new to think about. At the same time, I never feel bogged down by the philosophy or feel that he's lacking in or sacrificing lighthearted and brisk plot for it.