Reviews

La casa di marzapane by Jennifer Egan

vsw123's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

5.0

annamasaya's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

joanagsilva's review against another edition

2.0

2,5⭐️

acho que a premissa é boa e achei a escrita bastante criativa. No entanto no seu todo não me cativou. São demasiadas personagens e não achei que houvesse propriamente um plot, o que impediu que me conectasse com a história e as suas personagens. Não percebo também o fim. Aliás se houve aqui alguma mensagem eu não apanhei. Achei curioso como as personagens se ligavam umas às outras.

Se calhar não é bem o meu género de livro.

beffy94's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

alexaalyse's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

ferris_mx's review against another edition

5.0

Interesting but confusing - so many characters! The author really packs them in, as you flit from perspective to perspective on Gregory's fiction network of externalized consciousness.

ichirofakename's review against another edition

4.0

A difficult but essential read. Various narratives in various styles overlap a little, but result is more like a collection of stories than a novel. Jumps two sharks in flashy, unnecessary ways. Two many characters projected across too many timelines to keep track of. Compelling throughout. A pinch of David Foster Wallace and a cup of David Mitchell. About memory, intimacy, and authenticity, featuring a machine that externalizes all your memories, even those you have forgotten. Recommended.

jlambo's review against another edition

Too slow and overly wrapped up in its own world. Not accessible to readers. An attempt at being a literary marvel but eh.

readtotheend's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.5

I thought reading A Visit from the Goon Squad might be good before reading this sister novel and I struggled a bit with Goon Squad but thought maybe I settled into the characters a little and this would be a slightly different reading experience but no, I still found the many characters to be distracting and confusing at times.  I think this is an example of literary fiction I don't particularly enjoy - very intellectualized ideas but not enough connection or emotion to the characters for me to stay engaged. But that's just me and not wanting to "work" while I'm reading.  I think for lovers of literary fiction, this may be a really great book. I've had Manhattan Beach on my shelf for a while but hesistant to pick it up now. Will wait a bit longer before I try.

_christinahood's review against another edition

informative reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was very interesting and an amazing thought experiment too. I loved the concept and the short story feel to it