jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
2.0
I wish I had enjoyed this intertwined short story collection more. I liked the focus on the newspaper industry and the background of the newspaper that was told in snippets at the end of each individual story. The setting in Rome provided some interesting local color and I appreciated the way that the stories and characters were woven together. However, I think the book would have been stronger and more memorable if it had focused on a smaller group of main characters to flesh them out more. My favorite stories focused on Arthur, Craig, Abbey, Oliver and Ornella. Oliver's was my favorite as he was charmingly eccentric and his quirky indifference was amusing. I strongly disliked the stories devoted to Hardy and Winston. Hardy's story was particularly frustrating, and I nearly stopped reading after Winston's since he spent the first half as a doormat and the second half acting like a complete moron. Overall, a mixed bag with few highlights.
jhalloran99's review against another edition
2.0
Easily one of the most depressing books I've read. Not in a crying sense, but in a human kind is so pathetic and lonely and disgusting way. None of the characters were likable or admirable. I found it rather upsetting, but the writing was pretty good.
theseatedview's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
4.75
jessica22's review against another edition
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
1.0
internationalkris's review against another edition
4.0
So well-written, but I was hoping for more levity.
kfrig's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. The backdrop is the newspaper industry (in which I have little interest) but is really a story about human character. It really resonated with me and with everyone to whom I've recommended the book.
sparklyodin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
caitatoes's review against another edition
1.0
dnf after the first chapter, and skimming the rest. this is a book about shitty men, with the merest whiff of understanding that they're shitty but having no actual emotional understanding of them being shitty. i am becoming more open with not finishing books if i'm not satisfied with them, and this might just be an unfair knee-jerk reaction to that, but after the first chapter about a lackluster womanizer just lamenting his fate instead of being, you know, genuinely upset that he ruined his own marriage and relationship with his kids left a bad taste in my mouth. i will say it's written well, which is why it has 2 stars instead of 1.
abrswf's review against another edition
5.0
This is an excellent book, and I speak as someone who had to force myself through the first few pages. It isn't lyrical, despite being set in Rome, and almost none of the characters we meet are likeable, at least on first acquaintance. Nor do the stories appear connected, at least at first. But wait, there is meaning to it all. Each chapter introduces us to another worker on or editor of or otherwise connected person to the fictional English language newspaper at the center of the book, and the editor at the time, and is followed by a chapter in the history of the paper, from start to its closure. The characters know each other, and meet and cross paths repeatedly as the book progresses. And then we care about them, and the paper, and the things that happen as events progress may make us smile, but they also cut the heart like a knife.
This is a lovely tribute to journalism, to newspapers, and to the things we have and lose, from our dignity to our most loved companions.
This is a lovely tribute to journalism, to newspapers, and to the things we have and lose, from our dignity to our most loved companions.
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
1.0
Disappointing, predictable, and depressing. This is a character-focused novel with mostly uninteresting characters. I might have given it two stars had the publisher's story ended differently.