cwerber's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.0
An interesting book. I picked it up because I wanted something to read while sitting with my dad in his hospital room. I didn't know it was a sequel but from what reviews I read, I didn't need to.
But I think I miss out on something about some of the characters in the book and will, most likely, read the first book.
Anyway, there is a loose plot to the book with the stories jumping perspectives and timelines but always somehow tangentially related. It was an interesting read and I will be thinking about it for a while.
But I think I miss out on something about some of the characters in the book and will, most likely, read the first book.
Anyway, there is a loose plot to the book with the stories jumping perspectives and timelines but always somehow tangentially related. It was an interesting read and I will be thinking about it for a while.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Death, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, and Terminal illness
minkkmuse's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this book is so outstanding. obsessed with the intricate worlds egan weaves and the meandering paths between characters she traces. sharp, smart, incredibly funny, and deeply profound. the full cast audiobook is particularly immersive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, and Death
rachaelwho's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Good. Would have liked a little more story from a little fewer characters. Lulu's excellent passage felt a little lifted from Carmen Maria Machado, which feels like an odd thing to say about Jennifer Egan so maybe I'm mistaken but...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
lexistwick's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s been a while since I finished a book that’s capital-L “Literature,” but having to re-read dense sentences was well worth the pay-off. The character development is intricate and imaginative, and this vignette of interconnected characters is a really creative projection of life in an only slight-different future. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, especially in the Alfred section. It wasn’t until the end that I realized these characters were a continuation of the “Goon Squad” ones, which I read many years ago. I didn’t suffer from not remembering it very well, but I’m sure it would have enriched it significantly.
The author presents vignettes in many different styles/formats, and one of my favorites was Lulu’s field notes and the email correspondence about the speed boats interview, etc. Egan makes exploration within these wild parameters look easy, and feel very fun to live within during the read.
The author presents vignettes in many different styles/formats, and one of my favorites was Lulu’s field notes and the email correspondence about the speed boats interview, etc. Egan makes exploration within these wild parameters look easy, and feel very fun to live within during the read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Drug abuse
beccasherman's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Addiction, Toxic friendship, Rape, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Death of parent
bethtuba's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide
alysereadsbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Really enjoyed this book and reminded me why I love literary fiction. The whole premise of downloading and externalizing your consciousness was so intriguing, and felt realistic in a jarring way. The switching of the narration and overall tone of the book was difficult to follow at times, but allowed deeper exploration into the ethical consequences of such technological advancement. Had me thinking for a long time after and may reread.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, and Drug use
Minor: Suicide
htaub23's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Alcohol
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Despite having the subtitle "A Novel," this book is actually a collection of short stories...they are all set in the same world and some of the characters have cameos in multiple stories, but other than that, each story could be read on its own, or out of order. It was confusing to me at first, because I kept expecting to return to the first story, and then the second, etc., but once I understood that they were short stories, I actually enjoyed the book more.
Maybe I would've understood it more if I'd read the Goon Squad book first? Not sure, but I loved some of the stories, found others boring, didn't like some of them. I think my favorite was the one written entirely via letters. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters that are presented, though most of them make questionable decisions and aren't very likable.
I did really appreciate the commentary on memories and social media and just how much of yourself you're willing to share with strangers. A lot of food for thought. I mean, if you could upload all your memories online and be able to access them at any time, and actually watch them as you experienced them, like a movie, but they would also be available for anyone in the world to watch them, would you do it?
Thanks as always to Libro.fm, Simon and Schuster Audio, and the author for my ALC.
Maybe I would've understood it more if I'd read the Goon Squad book first? Not sure, but I loved some of the stories, found others boring, didn't like some of them. I think my favorite was the one written entirely via letters. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters that are presented, though most of them make questionable decisions and aren't very likable.
I did really appreciate the commentary on memories and social media and just how much of yourself you're willing to share with strangers. A lot of food for thought. I mean, if you could upload all your memories online and be able to access them at any time, and actually watch them as you experienced them, like a movie, but they would also be available for anyone in the world to watch them, would you do it?
Thanks as always to Libro.fm, Simon and Schuster Audio, and the author for my ALC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cursing, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Addiction and Gun violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt