rmgebhardt's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't read this as a hard sci-fi exploration of a black hole-ish entity being created, studied, and watching how it captures someone, but instead saw it as a tale of a relationship gone sour and how you can hold on too long to something that is not right for you; there just happened to be some interesting sci-fi driving the relationship split.
The science concepts were fascinating and added a flair to the story that gave this falling out tale a unique spin. The end of the novel ultimately left me a little cold as it felt somewhat cliched and murky, but to that point it was quite easy to relate to the main character, riding alongside as he deluded himself into staying where he was, even when presented with a way out, with better options, with alternatives... he had let himself get so caught up in a relationship gone sour that he couldn't get out.
It's a pretty quick read and I'd definitely recommend giving it a spin.
The science concepts were fascinating and added a flair to the story that gave this falling out tale a unique spin. The end of the novel ultimately left me a little cold as it felt somewhat cliched and murky, but to that point it was quite easy to relate to the main character, riding alongside as he deluded himself into staying where he was, even when presented with a way out, with better options, with alternatives... he had let himself get so caught up in a relationship gone sour that he couldn't get out.
It's a pretty quick read and I'd definitely recommend giving it a spin.
dawntin's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
3.75
This was a funny satirical novel involving academia, love, and physics. The plot was quirky and interesting. However, I didn’t connect to any of the characters that much. Almost every character was a professor at Beauchamp University. They were too quirky, but that was probably the point of the book. I thought Philip was insufferable (he talked way too much) in his pursuit of Alice, but I also felt bad for him sometimes. The other people are only ever seen through Philip’s perspective, so their characterization was more than a little wonky.
There were a few WTF moments, like when Philip was so jealous he imagined Alice sleeping with other men, and when Cynthia basicallyforced herself onto him to tell him his relationship with Alice is toxic. I also thought the Christmas party chapter could have been more concise, because I didn’t really care for those minor characters and Philip’s interactions with them by that point. Pacing was a little off.
Besides all the issues, I thought the dialogue in the novel was amazing. There were some great lines like, “I’m not sure I really exist, except under your observation.” There was also one part where Philip and Alice were hugging and I thought it was very sweet.
There were a few WTF moments, like when Philip was so jealous he imagined Alice sleeping with other men, and when Cynthia basically
Besides all the issues, I thought the dialogue in the novel was amazing. There were some great lines like, “I’m not sure I really exist, except under your observation.” There was also one part where Philip and Alice were hugging and I thought it was very sweet.
brielo's review against another edition
4.0
Una narrativa muy fluida y entretenida. El personaje principal suele sorprender con su actitud aparentemente jocosa hacia todas las situaciones que se encuentra, aunque casi llega a volverse tedioso. El final sorprende un poco ya que la historia se vuelve bastante acelerada en los últimos capítulos, pero me resulta adecuado, lógico y de una cierta belleza. La ciencia ficción aquí es sólo una excusa para hablar de Alice, de una relación (o mejor dicho, una separación) conflictiva entre dos personas que no parecen estar muy seguros de qué es lo que sienten.
portlandcat's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this wonderful and weird book. Fantastic dialogue, romance and mind-bending quantum mechanics.
subtleassiduities's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cavernism's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tonythep's review against another edition
4.0
Shorter and less complex than some of his other (major?) work, this fits right in however with my previous Lethem experiences. That is to say it was a whimsical yet thoughtful, imaginative and highly entertaining read.
lizardlies's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
lebuhdez's review against another edition
Really, really good. Very fast read. I read 4/5 of it in one evening.