gmarieb3's review against another edition
3.0
Generally I liked this book, but I feel it best describes the main characters resolution as ambivalent. The story takes a while to pick up, and for a majority of the novel the reader is curious as to how a video game has relevance to the search for a missing codex in a library. Eventually I felt the two plots were loosely brought together. I did enjoy the twist that leaves the protagonist wondering what to do with his life at the end, and parallel that Grossman uses in the Codex's story. Generally the writing style is much like that of Neil Gaiman, which is very enjoyable, but Grossman has a definite wit in his writing. It is a grown up style that I think anyone over the age of 20 would appreciate.
linneahedvig's review against another edition
4.0
It's Lev Grossman. It's not going to be not good. Also, it's an academic mystery that involves lots of research, along with very cool video games.
elissitous's review against another edition
3.0
I really consider this a 2.5-star read, but elected to round up. It's a hard one to review, because although I liked the experience of reading this book, I'm no longer sure that I liked the book itself: Codex hooked me from the beginning, then ultimately threw me back in the water regretting having been hooked at all.
Throughout, the tension set my expectations high, and I found the book's dual focus on medieval literature and video games intriguing (although neither seems to be the author's particular wheelhouse). I was looking forward to seeing these pieces converge in a satisfying way, which didn't happen. I kept thinking there might be some supernatural element, and there wasn't. I wasn't sure why I was meant to care about the characters, let alone the drama between the distant Duke and Duchess, which made the ending all the more unsatisfying ... and that's saying something; this book has the biggest nothing of an ending since "It was all a dream!"
If the mark of a good book were its ability to make one think "Oh, that's clever" to oneself every now and then, this book would be very good indeed. It's a shame its cleverness does nothing of substance.
Throughout, the tension set my expectations high, and I found the book's dual focus on medieval literature and video games intriguing (although neither seems to be the author's particular wheelhouse). I was looking forward to seeing these pieces converge in a satisfying way, which didn't happen. I kept thinking there might be some supernatural element, and there wasn't. I wasn't sure why I was meant to care about the characters, let alone the drama between the distant Duke and Duchess, which made the ending all the more unsatisfying ... and that's saying something; this book has the biggest nothing of an ending since "It was all a dream!"
If the mark of a good book were its ability to make one think "Oh, that's clever" to oneself every now and then, this book would be very good indeed. It's a shame its cleverness does nothing of substance.
bowerfamilyds's review
challenging
slow-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? It's complicated
1.0
annielew's review against another edition
1.0
It was a difficult book to get into from the start. I only continued reading out of a sheer stubborn will to see the book through to the end. I was finally interested enough about three quarters of the way through to finish it quickly. But that last quarter wasn't worth finishing. The ending was the most uninspired, boring conclusion I could have imagined. Throughout the book were hints of these fantastical other worlds, but none of that came into play for a satisfying ending. This wasn't even an ending that left me wanting more. Just an ending that left me wondering why I'd bothered to read the book at all.
snoakes7001's review against another edition
4.0
A thoroughly entertaining load of old nonsense. If you can switch your ludicrousness-ometer off and just go along for the ride, it really is a lot of fun. And considerably better written than most books of this ilk. Just don't take it too seriously.
The Mr bought it, read it and enjoyed it, then passed it to me saying 'it's a book about books - you'll like it'. He wasn't wrong.
The Mr bought it, read it and enjoyed it, then passed it to me saying 'it's a book about books - you'll like it'. He wasn't wrong.
library_bookwyrm's review against another edition
3.0
Grossman, Lev. Codex. Orlando : Harcourt, 2004.
Lev Grossman, most recently noted for Times bestsellers The Magicians and The Magician King, previously published international bestseller Codex in 2004.¹ Investment banker Edward Wozney, with a few weeks off between his former position in New York and his next position in London, finds himself roped in to an unusual task - cataloging a collection of old books, looking for a particular medieval codex that may not exist. He quickly becomes obsessed with this project, and with a computer game that seems strangely connected.
The book follows the main character through his increasingly surreal daily life, with several quirky and interesting people supporting the highly detailed and quickly convoluted story. The plot develops at a leisurely pace, and the ending delivers a twist readers won't soon forget. The story includes rich depictions of cataloging practices, history of literature, bookbinding and preservation (along with some book destruction), and computer gaming. Codex is perfect for readers interested in intrigue and conspiracy with a uniquely literary theme.
¹Author information taken from his website biography: http://levgrossman.com/about/
Lev Grossman, most recently noted for Times bestsellers The Magicians and The Magician King, previously published international bestseller Codex in 2004.¹ Investment banker Edward Wozney, with a few weeks off between his former position in New York and his next position in London, finds himself roped in to an unusual task - cataloging a collection of old books, looking for a particular medieval codex that may not exist. He quickly becomes obsessed with this project, and with a computer game that seems strangely connected.
The book follows the main character through his increasingly surreal daily life, with several quirky and interesting people supporting the highly detailed and quickly convoluted story. The plot develops at a leisurely pace, and the ending delivers a twist readers won't soon forget. The story includes rich depictions of cataloging practices, history of literature, bookbinding and preservation (along with some book destruction), and computer gaming. Codex is perfect for readers interested in intrigue and conspiracy with a uniquely literary theme.
¹Author information taken from his website biography: http://levgrossman.com/about/
davidscrimshaw's review against another edition
3.0
If you've read all the [book:The Magicians|6101718] books, which you should if you had any affection for the Narnia books, you might want more Lev Grossman.
This one moves along and the characters are interesting. But if you want to feel like you know what's going on when a story ends, I think you have to be smarter than me.
I don't know if this really qualifies as fantasy.
This one moves along and the characters are interesting. But if you want to feel like you know what's going on when a story ends, I think you have to be smarter than me.
I don't know if this really qualifies as fantasy.
kaharding's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
2.5