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bibliobethreads's review against another edition
I can see why this was a booker prize winner I really enjoyed it! So strange with the hallucinations of silverfish, and very sad towards the end.
taylorelm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
reviewsbylola's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
franfernandezarce's review against another edition
4.0
you enter the novel to find Norman, its so-called 'elected member', a drug addict who sees tiny silver fish crawling everywhere around him. the cover does this story the disservice of making the reader think the metallic hues of said fish will be representative of its tone. instead, Rubens' exploration on addiction, family trauma, and reconciliation is more fittingly coloured by Francis Bacon's nude studies than anything else--pitch-black backgrounds bearing hints of white human figures struggling to come into the foreground.
the highs in Rubens' writing manage by a slim margin to upset the lows. her ability to craft a set of distinctive yet complex characters within a single group trumps any criticism one might have of her ability to structure the time frame of the story. there could be smoother ways of presenting flashbacks, of course, but one's care for each individual involved supposes one will follow them past, present, and future without a thought. anyone looking for complex, short-format family dramas will be pleased to encounter this story.
the highs in Rubens' writing manage by a slim margin to upset the lows. her ability to craft a set of distinctive yet complex characters within a single group trumps any criticism one might have of her ability to structure the time frame of the story. there could be smoother ways of presenting flashbacks, of course, but one's care for each individual involved supposes one will follow them past, present, and future without a thought. anyone looking for complex, short-format family dramas will be pleased to encounter this story.
berniemck's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book so I could participate in a book club discussion. This book centers around a Jewish family and their problems. Norman the 40 year old son, is committed to a mental hospital and this is only 1 issue of many. The backstories involving his family members and the secrets they are keeping help to make this comical, gem of a book all that it is. Reading this book was a pleasure. I've found a new author, with more works I want to check out.
booktwitcher23's review against another edition
4.0
Not a happy read,but a good depiction of drug induced paranoia. This book reminded me of the black comedy written by Shena Mackay.
thebobsphere's review against another edition
3.0
The story about a mother taking care of her delirious son. In some places it's great - especially the hallucinations but in other places the prose doesn't hold up too well.