fauli08's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
peppps's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.25
saraitz's review against another edition
5.0
not a perfect book, but a book i felt the weight of, both figuratively and literally, about what it means to be alone and connected to all the versions of our possible stories in a problematic, sometimes incomprehensible world.
daveg30's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
vitsa's review against another edition
4.0
I have really enjoyed my first foray into Paul Auster's work.
The writing was lovely and the book, at 1000 old pages didn't feel too long.
I have always been a fan of "what if" explorations. This book was an interesting and well executed example of the destiny versus free will debate. Are there certain things we are destined for no matter what? Perhaps. The thought can be both comforting and terrifying.
I liked all the iterations of Ferguson and really enjoyed how he was the same person and different people at the same time.
I liked the historical elements, and how they were seemingly seemlesly intertwined with Ferguson's lives.
I feel like all four stories could stand on their own as a separate work of fiction and make for enjoyable reading, which is no small feat.
The ending was perfect and brought everything full circle.
The writing was lovely and the book, at 1000 old pages didn't feel too long.
I have always been a fan of "what if" explorations. This book was an interesting and well executed example of the destiny versus free will debate. Are there certain things we are destined for no matter what? Perhaps. The thought can be both comforting and terrifying.
I liked all the iterations of Ferguson and really enjoyed how he was the same person and different people at the same time.
I liked the historical elements, and how they were seemingly seemlesly intertwined with Ferguson's lives.
I feel like all four stories could stand on their own as a separate work of fiction and make for enjoyable reading, which is no small feat.
The ending was perfect and brought everything full circle.
fvrrest's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
binstonbirchill's review against another edition
1.0
I like the concept of a story about one person’s four independent lives being told chapter by chapter but man was this a dud. It reminded me of Don DeLilo’s Underworld in the worst way. I must say I’m not nostalgic for 1960s to 1990s america so that’s largely why I found it so utterly boring. I get it, sports are a part of some peoples lives as kids. It was a large part of mine. But holy moly is it uninteresting to read in fiction. The large and small differences in the four lives were not compelling at all, it’s hard to relate how uninteresting I found the relationship(s) with Amy. The only thing to be said for this book is that I didn’t finish it so maybe it makes a stunning turn and redeems itself. But after 400 pages of constantly wanting to skim (but not giving in) I had to give it up.
kaloughl's review against another edition
4.0
4.1 stars. Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was compulsively readable and all 4 versions of Archie were incredibly honest and flawed. I lost a little interest around page 700 and was not as impressed with the ending as I wanted to be otherwise would have been 5 stars.