eelsmac's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
libbygmo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
robdabear's review against another edition
5.0
This is an absolutely fantastic and beautiful book. Seeing this one evening on my tumblr dashboard, I had noticed John Green talking emphatically of this book, and decided to blindly give it a shot.
A stunning second-person narrative, this book takes a rather mocking tone of a self-help book into telling the story of you, an unnamed man in an unnamed city (probably Lahore) in rising Asia. From humbling poverty to, you guessed it, being filthy rich, this book takes you through many stages of life that bring you, the reader, along a constant emotional journey. Notably, this book is more of a love story, with the single recurrent theme being your love for the pretty girl (it makes sense if you read it) along the many stages of your life.
From the beginning to the end you'll be hooked to this beautiful and emotional prose that at times can be any mixture of humorous, dark, romantic, sad, humbling, and happy, and probably more. This is definitely a recommended read.
A stunning second-person narrative, this book takes a rather mocking tone of a self-help book into telling the story of you, an unnamed man in an unnamed city (probably Lahore) in rising Asia. From humbling poverty to, you guessed it, being filthy rich, this book takes you through many stages of life that bring you, the reader, along a constant emotional journey. Notably, this book is more of a love story, with the single recurrent theme being your love for the pretty girl (it makes sense if you read it) along the many stages of your life.
From the beginning to the end you'll be hooked to this beautiful and emotional prose that at times can be any mixture of humorous, dark, romantic, sad, humbling, and happy, and probably more. This is definitely a recommended read.
palomapepper's review against another edition
4.0
Couched as a self-help book (and narrated in the second person), How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia depicts the arc of a man's life, starting with his impoverished childhood in rural Pakistan.
A lot in this book reminded me of Saramago: no names, no specific places, and long, often self-referential sentences flowing easily from one train of thought to another.
Second-person narration can be grating when done unnecessarily or badly, but I think it's used interestingly here: for immediacy and attachment to the main character, but also as a backdrop against which the author-who-is-not-quite-the-author can speak to the reader-who-is-not-quite-you.
A lot in this book reminded me of Saramago: no names, no specific places, and long, often self-referential sentences flowing easily from one train of thought to another.
Second-person narration can be grating when done unnecessarily or badly, but I think it's used interestingly here: for immediacy and attachment to the main character, but also as a backdrop against which the author-who-is-not-quite-the-author can speak to the reader-who-is-not-quite-you.
mo13's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jennamirchin's review against another edition
3.0
- Enjoyment: ★★★☆☆
- Pacing: ★★☆☆☆
- Setting: ★★☆☆☆
- Writing style: ★★★☆☆
- Characters: ★★☆☆☆
- Plot: ★★☆☆☆
- Romance: ★★★☆☆
- Dialogue: ★★★☆☆
- Ending: ★★★★☆
- Would read again: no
- Pacing: ★★☆☆☆
- Setting: ★★☆☆☆
- Writing style: ★★★☆☆
- Characters: ★★☆☆☆
- Plot: ★★☆☆☆
- Romance: ★★★☆☆
- Dialogue: ★★★☆☆
- Ending: ★★★★☆
- Would read again: no
rfelt's review against another edition
3.0
Read for Life's Library
The 2nd person narration was really fascinating, and I enjoyed it for the most part. The love story did suck me in a bit, but my favorite part was surprisingly the ending when "you" are old.
"...so may all of us confront the end."
The 2nd person narration was really fascinating, and I enjoyed it for the most part. The love story did suck me in a bit, but my favorite part was surprisingly the ending when "you" are old.
"...so may all of us confront the end."