Reviews

Look at Me by Jennifer Egan

cheyenneisreading's review against another edition

5.0

Jennifer Egan is a fantastic writer. I was dissapointed with [b:A Visit from the Goon Squad|7331435|A Visit from the Goon Squad|Jennifer Egan|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356844046s/7331435.jpg|8975330], which was the first novel I read by Egan, but blown away by Look at Me. Dynamic and eventful, Look at Me screams talented and eventful. This novel, and her outstanding, perfect in everyway [b:Invisible Circus|12957468|Invisible Circus|Jennifer Egan|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1338004258s/12957468.jpg|3772], gave me a new favourite author.

bamairi's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

numbuh212's review against another edition

inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

booksforbrooks's review against another edition

2.0

This had neither an engaging plot or likeable characters, so I struggled. While the occasional vaguely interesting chapter saved this from dipping into one star I honestly couldn't tell you what the goal of the story was apart from a constant stream of sexual encounters which served no purpose to further either character arcs or plot. Putting this on the "meh" shelf and moving on.

jcschildbach's review against another edition

5.0

Simply put, Egan's writing hits all the right notes for me. Even her casual observations are brilliant and connect in a way that makes me wonder why nobody has ever expressed the ideas that she is expressing before--or why nobody has put it in quite the same way. Despite a nearly Hardy-esque level of coincidence in tying the characters together, and some pretty disturbing behavior on the part of some characters, I love the way she handles the story lines, giving us just enough, while leaving plenty of appropriately loose ends.

baguettekelly's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I absolutely love Jennifer Egan’s prose, and this is a beautifully written novel.
 
I was intrigued by and invested in Charlotte Swenson’s story of moving though the world with a new face, and the

Spoiler

commentary on how this great trauma was co-opted and capitalized upon by a social media company

, but the parallel stories taking place in Rockford didn’t hold my attention.  I think this book would be equally effective without Charlotte Hauser, although I get what Egan was trying to do with

Spoiler

the two Charlottes’ experiences stepping outside who others perceived them to be

.  This point was made several times in several points in the story and I don’t think it was a worthy payoff for an entire half of the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, and Violence

trentthompson's review against another edition

4.0

The American dream is just that, a dream. It’s a fantasy packaged and sold to us, by us. Some see this game for what it is and play in resigned understanding. Many more fail to see, being played rather than playing. But a few choose not to play… those poor rich souls.

abiancanello's review against another edition

4.0

wait actually shook that this was published in 2001 because i thought it was written circa at LEAST 2009 the whole time but no it was just remarkably prescient

danchrist's review against another edition

Loved "A Visit From the Goon Squad," but this didn't grab me. At all. Set aside and moved on.

spahade's review against another edition

5.0

Very compelling, I felt like I knew the character so well