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megray1126's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! I can definitely understand why so many people disliked the characters, I certainly couldn't identify with any of them as they were sly and sneaky liars. But at the same time, the way the story was written, giving you pieces of information here and there, held my interest. While it was utterly disturbing, it had me turning pages just to find out if there were any decent people in the end. It was a twisted story, and I loved it.
claire_dobson's review against another edition
3.0
A real page turner even though you really don't like or connect with any of the characters.
thekatiefu's review against another edition
4.0
Well, THAT was certainly a surprise. The Dinner is unlike anything I have ever read.
The story starts out fairly commonly, and you expect it to be a tale about family relationships in an almost more emotional family history sort of way. But as the story starts to meander you realize it is actually much darker.
Without giving too much away, the story ends up dealing with politics, crime and punishment, and exploring how far a parent's love will drive him or her to go to protect their children.
This is a story that will haunt me (yes, "haunt") for a long time to come. I give it 4 stars because it is so unique and interesting, but I feel I cannot like or even respect any of the characters.
The story starts out fairly commonly, and you expect it to be a tale about family relationships in an almost more emotional family history sort of way. But as the story starts to meander you realize it is actually much darker.
Without giving too much away, the story ends up dealing with politics, crime and punishment, and exploring how far a parent's love will drive him or her to go to protect their children.
This is a story that will haunt me (yes, "haunt") for a long time to come. I give it 4 stars because it is so unique and interesting, but I feel I cannot like or even respect any of the characters.
appletini's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jessplayin's review against another edition
2.0
More like 1.5
"Once again I felt I was witnessing something that only obliquely had anything to do with reality." This quote from the book pretty much sums up how I felt.
Paul, the main character is clearly an unreliable narrator so what has actually happened and what he has retold is a blurred line but it was just too unrealistic all around. Didn't grab hold of me and the commentary falls flat. Plus the characters are all despicable.
"Once again I felt I was witnessing something that only obliquely had anything to do with reality." This quote from the book pretty much sums up how I felt.
Paul, the main character is clearly an unreliable narrator so what has actually happened and what he has retold is a blurred line but it was just too unrealistic all around. Didn't grab hold of me and the commentary falls flat. Plus the characters are all despicable.
eminadiscobra's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
monicaja229's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
meganlee96's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book confusing at times. I liked the concept of the story taking place over one dinner but really it didn't feel like that because of all the time jumps. I also felt at times the writing could have been better but that may have been the translation. The characters were cruel and unlikeable and I felt the main plot of the story was more like a side plot during the book.