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alisonjfields's review
5.0
I loved this book and I don't often like novels about the US Civil War. Wright's language is extravagantly lush and gorgeous. The plot is rollicking, occasionally grotesque and at its best when it deviates quite far afield of what you might expect (and believe me, it does) into absurd picaresque. It's also very, very funny.
oakmoses's review against another edition
3.0
This book really deserved all the praise that sparked my initial interest. It's a good story. It's well-, if over-, written. I'm sure that it's full of deep meaning and symbology and bears up well upon repeated readings.
However, all the verbage - while unique, exquisitely correct, and often beautiful - serves to obfuscate the story rather than elucidate it. The story also seems a bit thin and is not particularly compelling.
I'm glad I read this book, but it's not one that I'll likely find myself returning to, via either rereading or rumination.
However, all the verbage - while unique, exquisitely correct, and often beautiful - serves to obfuscate the story rather than elucidate it. The story also seems a bit thin and is not particularly compelling.
I'm glad I read this book, but it's not one that I'll likely find myself returning to, via either rereading or rumination.
mythicalbrit's review against another edition
3.0
This book started out as nothing less than fabulous storytelling about an era of American history (prior to and during the Civil War) that I actually know very little about, and I adored Liberty Fish from the moment of his birth. However, the story took a decided turn towards the bizarro the moment that Liberty set foot on the grounds of his ancestral plantation, Redemption Hall. Of course it was simply lovely to share my commute with Michael Emerson's phenomenal acting (he makes an excellent smarmy pirate!) so it was all good in the end. Ultimately, though, it was Asa's twisted experimentation with slaves that really kept me from giving this book four stars.
nicka's review against another edition
3.0
Language-4.5-5 stars
Story/Plot-3.5 stars
Intangibles (pathos, emotional resonance, reader connectivity, et al)- 2.5-3 stars
Story/Plot-3.5 stars
Intangibles (pathos, emotional resonance, reader connectivity, et al)- 2.5-3 stars
aaronj's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. The first 50 pages has some of the best writing I've read in years.
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