clellman's review against another edition
4.0
Read Harder challenge: debut novel √
the best parts were very knausgaardian--the part about the dad when the narrator was a child (which we never really got back to, it sort of dangled there), and the part about the boy on the train with the mom--the best part of the book imo. very vivid. weirdly read kind of like a translation, which knausgaard is and this isn't
the best parts were very knausgaardian--the part about the dad when the narrator was a child (which we never really got back to, it sort of dangled there), and the part about the boy on the train with the mom--the best part of the book imo. very vivid. weirdly read kind of like a translation, which knausgaard is and this isn't
joaniemaloney's review against another edition
4.0
Simply exquisite.
There's so much desire and regret and ache contained between these pages, not just between the narrator and Mitko but with his past as well, written in such gorgeous prose that there's no way I can come close to doing any of it justice with a review. Just read it. Sometimes you just have to be in awe of how talented an author can be. Breathtaking.
It's more like a 4.5 for now but I may end up revisiting certain passages here and there to plunge right back into Greenwell's prose so who knows, maybe I'll change it up. I can certainly understand the praise for this new release.
There's so much desire and regret and ache contained between these pages, not just between the narrator and Mitko but with his past as well, written in such gorgeous prose that there's no way I can come close to doing any of it justice with a review. Just read it. Sometimes you just have to be in awe of how talented an author can be. Breathtaking.
It's more like a 4.5 for now but I may end up revisiting certain passages here and there to plunge right back into Greenwell's prose so who knows, maybe I'll change it up. I can certainly understand the praise for this new release.
mcglassa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
beholdtheanimals's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my stars, so lyrical and gorgeous and so full of the sexiest, saddest writing I've encountered in a while. You can tell that Garth Greenwell is a poet, and also that he's ridiculously good at writing human emotion. I'm kinda iffy about how [redacted] is written and how he functions in the story, but it's still a beautifully written book.
swandive's review against another edition
3.0
the language is very poetic, but like, weirdly platitudinous. the story was pretty affecting at points but the narrator was just so unlikable for me
nylah_danae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lgiegerich's review against another edition
3.0
Some lovely prose, but I'm not entirely sure what the ultimate point was...??
toni1509's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
DNF @ 50%
Repulsive with ugly erotism, and too gloomy for my taste.
DNF @ 50%
Repulsive with ugly erotism, and too gloomy for my taste.