Scan barcode
rubyouns's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really liked premise of the book, with a table of strangers and Miles silently going and locking himself upstairs. I like books with different POVs of people peripheral to one person - kind of reminded me of Enduring Love by Ian McEwan for that. But I think I expected more of it when it was actually mainly streams of consciousness. It’s v experimental and there’s no quote marks the whole time, which I thought I’d get used to but I didn’t. It worked really well for some characters and themes - one old woman with dementia, a child, a man imagining his dead mother talking to him, a woman who met Miles decades ago and is trying to remember him. They are all strangers to him really so it is interesting seeing all of their thought processes towards empathy for him.
It was quite sad and funny, with lots of little facts and tiny moments in that made up for the lack of plot but overall I just found it quite fragmented and even if that’s deliberate I wasn’t that keen on it. Partly my fault because I took a break in the middle
It was quite sad and funny, with lots of little facts and tiny moments in that made up for the lack of plot but overall I just found it quite fragmented and even if that’s deliberate I wasn’t that keen on it. Partly my fault because I took a break in the middle
zoer03's review against another edition
3.0
its good, I enjoyed the story or stories of people and how they connect to the man locked in a room, I just found that some of the grammer was appalling and confusing. But the author got a child's mind absolutely spot on as well as some of the adults. This is a good book to laugh at yourself and to laugh at the observations of people around you.
lweezthereadrat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Such a cool book- I loved the four interlinked narratives and how easily the story flowed. Ali Smith is just masterful isn't she (docked partial point for no easy points to finish reading)
jslive's review against another edition
3.0
I let this one go over my head. Too much symbolism for my current mood and some of it was tedious.
hoggman's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Not one of my favorites, but definitely interesting. I'll likely reread.
iekanayake's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
nikolai_k's review against another edition
5.0
The winner of The All-England Summarise Proust Competition.
Joking aside, this is so good at being good it's no good trying to explain why it's so good.
Joking aside, this is so good at being good it's no good trying to explain why it's so good.