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americanmenace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Started out strong but what was that ending. Lol.
writer6's review against another edition
4.0
While I didn't think that Vladimir was perfect, I still absolutely loved this book for the most part; and I thought that it was really intriguing that we (the reader) never learn the protagonist's name. I almost never read books or stories that have that kind of unique storytelling element; so that's definitely one of things that I liked the most about Julia May Jonas' writing for this book. There's definitely a lot to love about the book, Vladimir! :)
My rating/score: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads' rating system / 9 out of 10 on my own personal scoring system.
My rating/score: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads' rating system / 9 out of 10 on my own personal scoring system.
avidlyalexis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
harrietpickle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.5
julrwagner's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so interesting I feel I have to write a review.
So I picked this up initially because of literally one booktok video and the blurb was so interesting. You may think this is a romance but let me tell you, IT IS NOT. It’s almost a tragedy. I think this book was artfully and poetically written in its prose so it was always interesting to read. This is also a book where you don’t really like any of the characters so it makes it even more encapsulating because what other shit is this person going to say or do? I find it interesting that we never find out the main characters name too.
Another thing that I liked about this book is that it is about an older woman trying to find her way in a life she feels is almost over. I like the idea of reading about someone’s insecurities with their aging body and the way it effects the view on the world; mostly because (as I write this in my 25th birthday) I have found myself being worried about the aging process as well. This theme and topic definitely hit home and helped me realize I have more time to do what I want in life.
The only thing that bothers me is that it feels like it has a loose plot so I never could tell what was going to happen or what is supposed to be going on.
Either way, I would recommend it if you want a book where you won’t like the characters and like the idea of academia and artfully written books!
So I picked this up initially because of literally one booktok video and the blurb was so interesting. You may think this is a romance but let me tell you, IT IS NOT. It’s almost a tragedy. I think this book was artfully and poetically written in its prose so it was always interesting to read. This is also a book where you don’t really like any of the characters so it makes it even more encapsulating because what other shit is this person going to say or do? I find it interesting that we never find out the main characters name too.
Another thing that I liked about this book is that it is about an older woman trying to find her way in a life she feels is almost over. I like the idea of reading about someone’s insecurities with their aging body and the way it effects the view on the world; mostly because (as I write this in my 25th birthday) I have found myself being worried about the aging process as well. This theme and topic definitely hit home and helped me realize I have more time to do what I want in life.
The only thing that bothers me is that it feels like it has a loose plot so I never could tell what was going to happen or what is supposed to be going on.
Either way, I would recommend it if you want a book where you won’t like the characters and like the idea of academia and artfully written books!
neuzilovasara's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mstormer's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
A steady, academic life is jarred from its familiar course by accusations against the narrator’s husband and a new colleague that quickly becomes the center of attention in Vladimir by Julia May Jonas.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
At a small liberal arts college a popular English professor in her late fifties has long had an understanding with her charismatic husband, chair of the English department, about an openness in their marriage. But now he’s under investigation for some of his inappropriate relationships with former students, which has made life for both of them far more uncomfortable, both academically and personally. With an addition to the department of Vladimir, a young, married novelist whose wife has a trauma-filled life she’s crafting into a memoir, the narrator quickly becomes fascinated by him and is pleased spending time with him as she builds upon her fantasies and confirms some theories she has about him. As her obsession grows and her husband’s hearing draws nearer, a rupture in her otherwise calm life seems imminent.
Exploring the concepts of power and desire, this very internally-focused story provided an interesting glimpse into the head of an intelligent and opinionated woman who is generally sure of herself, but her growing infatuation drives her to behave growingly uncharacteristically. Though there is some basis evident for the narrator’s obsession with Vladimir, it feels, on the whole, that her attention to him is driven more from a sense of him being a shiny, new thing that breaks up the monotonous status quo of her, and the college’s, existence rather than an actionable fantasy because of who he is; there’s an indecisiveness to her feelings toward and obsession of him that leaves the obsession from becoming an entirely engrossing or well-executed part of the story, especially when pitted against her thoughts of her husband’s hearing. The writing is descriptive and has an acerbic quality to it that was enjoyable and provided insight in to the narrator’s character and state of mind; while some trains of thought and comments, particularly insights regarding sex, were bold and plainly said, if perhaps surprising to have come from someone of her age, there were moments when the expression of them seemed gratuitous and more for shock value than a substantial reason.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
At a small liberal arts college a popular English professor in her late fifties has long had an understanding with her charismatic husband, chair of the English department, about an openness in their marriage. But now he’s under investigation for some of his inappropriate relationships with former students, which has made life for both of them far more uncomfortable, both academically and personally. With an addition to the department of Vladimir, a young, married novelist whose wife has a trauma-filled life she’s crafting into a memoir, the narrator quickly becomes fascinated by him and is pleased spending time with him as she builds upon her fantasies and confirms some theories she has about him. As her obsession grows and her husband’s hearing draws nearer, a rupture in her otherwise calm life seems imminent.
Exploring the concepts of power and desire, this very internally-focused story provided an interesting glimpse into the head of an intelligent and opinionated woman who is generally sure of herself, but her growing infatuation drives her to behave growingly uncharacteristically. Though there is some basis evident for the narrator’s obsession with Vladimir, it feels, on the whole, that her attention to him is driven more from a sense of him being a shiny, new thing that breaks up the monotonous status quo of her, and the college’s, existence rather than an actionable fantasy because of who he is; there’s an indecisiveness to her feelings toward and obsession of him that leaves the obsession from becoming an entirely engrossing or well-executed part of the story, especially when pitted against her thoughts of her husband’s hearing. The writing is descriptive and has an acerbic quality to it that was enjoyable and provided insight in to the narrator’s character and state of mind; while some trains of thought and comments, particularly insights regarding sex, were bold and plainly said, if perhaps surprising to have come from someone of her age, there were moments when the expression of them seemed gratuitous and more for shock value than a substantial reason.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.