Reviews

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas

sophie_lum's review

Misogynist characters were so unlikeable

nmhealey28's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

readingwithcarla's review

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

I'll be honest; I would have never thought to pick up this book. Even if I had just picked this book up and glanced at the blurb, I still don't believe I would have been sold. Making The Slap's case even worse: I had to read the first chapter for a unit at University, and school is what usually drains any entertainment value from literally any piece of media. But as soon as I read the first chapter, I was entranced by this horrid depiction of Australian life.

Tsiolkas' writing is raw, brutal, yet honest. He isn't afraid to put a magnifying glass up to shit, and describe what is so horrid about that shit. Never would I have wanted to read about middle-aged men, uncomfortable with their own lives, who are arrogant and self-centred. But it was so wildly intriguing. Even when I would reach a chapter where I would immediately think that it would be one I would have to drag myself through, Tsiolkas somehow made these lives interesting.

I believe what it all came down to was identity. How these people all formed different views about how the world worked due to their upbringing and the influences around them. And I slowly started to fall into their same patterns of thinking as I read. I think Tsiolkas is a genius for this.

Moreover, the overall structure of the novel is masterful. How the slap itself, is very much background noise, but causes a ripple effect through everyone's lives. I am so glad I continued with this novel, a snapshot of the ugliness that grows in Melbourne, even reflecting its relevance today.

aoife_91's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

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

2.0

sarful's review against another edition

2.0

More like a 2.5, the extra .5 was all Richie. Richie's chapter was actually a good read. Too bad there were 7 other chapters. While I don't feel like I have to identify or even like a character to enjoy a book, I want to at least root for them or be invested in caring what the outcome is. That was the problem with a lot of these characters, I didn't care, no feelings of hate or like, just a want for the story to find an end. Richie though, I liked him and when he finally gets his first kiss from a boy I couldn't help but be happy, for once, reading the book. For the record Hugo deserved that slap.

hisghoulfriday's review

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

azu_rikka's review

4.0

I loved the book and the mini TV series. Tsiolkas knows how to tell a story and develops his characters in detail. I adore his writing style.

ngominh's review

4.0

Được đánh giá là một trong những nhà văn đương đại nổi bật nhất của Úc, Christos viết nên The Slap lạ kì như chính cái tên của anh vậy. Từ một cái tát của người đàn ông cho một đứa trẻ vì sự bất tuân của nó, mọi sự tiếp diễn xảy ra như một hiệu ứng cánh bướm. Bằng 8 góc nhìn của 8 cá nhân trong bữa tiệc ấy, Christos đã len lỏi phơi bày ra phía ánh sáng những đối nghịch quan hệ gia đình, quan hệ bạn bè, quan hệ hôn nhân; những trách nhiệm cá nhân, trách nhiệm hôn nhân hay cả trách nhiệm xã hội. Tiểu thuyết của Christos dễ nói là một đền đài lớn, vì nó chứa đựng mọi quan hệ tương hỗ trong nhịp sống đương đại. Úc cũng giống như Canada hay Mỹ, nhìn chung không có một nền văn hóa bản địa, và dĩ nhiên đó là nơi thích hợp cho những tôn giáo, phong tục, văn hóa đấu tranh và tị hiềm nhau. Trong đó cũng là những gia đình trung lưu, những thế hệ con cái... Nhìn chung The Slap khá tốt và phơi bày ít nhiều sự thật đằng sau.

Điểm yếu là nó dày và nhiều góc nhìn quá. Có những điểm nhìn rất hay và ổn như c ủa Manolis hay Rosie, Hector; trong khi 5 phần còn lại khá chung chung và hơi nhạt nhoàn (nhất là Aish mặc cho là nhân vật chính). Nên s au này có đọc lại cũng chỉ đọc 3 phần là 3 lát cắt hay ho này.

Dù sao c ũng rất recommend. Ai thích Tiệc trăng máu, ai thích Big Little Lies thì vào cửa này. Đảm bảo phê :P

bookerworm's review

4.0

Liked the characters and how it is written. No major plot line though.

jdelloso's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25