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rutinha's review against another edition
2.0
This book is clearly beautifully written, but I have nothing else of positive to say about it.
It says a lot, and very lyrically, but lacking emotional depth. The narrative is plodding, uninteresting and lacks cohesion (there are a few storylines that connect pretty tenuously). The storyline I found most compelling (the death of the protagonist's daughter) gets frustratingly little time.
I love beautiful writing, but here it doesn't make up for everything else.
Here are a few reviews that share my point of view:
Issicratea's review
Patrick McCusker's review
Shan's review
Georg's review
It says a lot, and very lyrically, but lacking emotional depth. The narrative is plodding, uninteresting and lacks cohesion (there are a few storylines that connect pretty tenuously). The storyline I found most compelling (the death of the protagonist's daughter) gets frustratingly little time.
I love beautiful writing, but here it doesn't make up for everything else.
Here are a few reviews that share my point of view:
Issicratea's review
Patrick McCusker's review
Shan's review
Georg's review
askatknits's review against another edition
3.0
This book. Oh boy. I felt lost for most of this story... or perhaps not smart enough to understand where all of this was going.
And I have never had to look up so many words while reading... Banville's writing might be beautiful, but if you have to stop every 5 or 6 sentences to look up a word... it stops being beautiful and becomes pompous... pretentious... and yeah, it got old fast.
If you like a story that ends neatly, this is not the book for you. I found little to like with any of the characters... they were a troubled lot. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
And I have never had to look up so many words while reading... Banville's writing might be beautiful, but if you have to stop every 5 or 6 sentences to look up a word... it stops being beautiful and becomes pompous... pretentious... and yeah, it got old fast.
If you like a story that ends neatly, this is not the book for you. I found little to like with any of the characters... they were a troubled lot. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a mixed bag. It had some really brilliant and provocative parts but was ultimately about a 35-year-old pedophile that was having an affair with a 15-year-old boy. Being male I recognize the double standard and the notion that that event in reality would likely be invited and treasured by nearly every 15-year-old boy out there. However, given the true gravity of the situation it was actually pretty impressive what Banville pulled off. There were sections that were arousing and sections that were suspenseful and intriguing. Unfortunately there were also parts that were a bit dull. Therefore the middling rating of just better than okay but not great.
tara_pikachu's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I'm glad I came across this author because he writes beautifully about feelings and circumstances that you normally wouldn't think about...or cannot describe.
sineaderoo's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Firstly, this is the third book of a trilogy which I did not know. So it might have been a different experience if I'd read the other books first.
The prose is beautiful. You could read any extract and be swept up in detailed descriptions and unexpected language choices.
However, the principal character and narrator is flawed to the point of unlikeable and the memories of his affair aged 15 with a 35 year old woman are distasteful to read about. There are a lot of minor characters who are never fully drawn and the plot and its revelations are unclear.
I think that the writer is exploring something quite interesting about memory, a man's psyche, the unknowable nature of other people and so on, but as a reading experience I found it slow and frustrating.
I feel like this is a really good book that maybe I didn't quite "get". One to wallow in.
The prose is beautiful. You could read any extract and be swept up in detailed descriptions and unexpected language choices.
However, the principal character and narrator is flawed to the point of unlikeable and the memories of his affair aged 15 with a 35 year old woman are distasteful to read about. There are a lot of minor characters who are never fully drawn and the plot and its revelations are unclear.
I think that the writer is exploring something quite interesting about memory, a man's psyche, the unknowable nature of other people and so on, but as a reading experience I found it slow and frustrating.
I feel like this is a really good book that maybe I didn't quite "get". One to wallow in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
roisin_prendergast's review against another edition
4.0
Ooooh what a book. I've not read the two novels before this one because I thought it was a standalone book, and it can pass for one. A bit Oedipus, a bit Jocasta complex - although this boy's womanly older lover is not his mother. Woven with sensibilities all Greek, desirous, Freudian, ancient, psychoanalytical and sensual. So otherworldly but still altogether human and tender. I've already said it, but John Banville is a literary craftsman. He just amazes me. I get utterly lost in his prose - so much so that I agree with what another reader has said in the way that the storylines - although still incredibly engaging and juicy in themselves - nestle comfortably as a background for these incredibly intricate but engaging feats of writing. I actually felt a bit sick in parts, a kind of heartsickness, because it hit me that deep. As weird as this sounds I know I've read a good book if it makes me feel nauseous haha.
ajbeverley's review against another edition
The older narrator in the present day of this novel recounts the summer he was 15, as well as his current situation. Similar themes, images, and relationship dynamics show up in both timeframes: the reliability of memory, anguished women, erotic/familial vibes. Impressive descriptions and rich vocabulary. It is somewhat painful to only access the riveting women characters through the narrator's very limited understanding of them.
petergarthwaite's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lokroma's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully structured and written book. The three dominant themes weave in and out elegantly, touching, separating, touching. A story of love, the imprecision of memory, and loss.