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taylorklong's review against another edition
3.0
If this had been written by just about anyone else, this would be a solid four star book - but because it's Denis Johnson, and I've seen what else he can do, it just didn't quite land with me.
It's not that The Laughing Monsters is bad - it's a wild story with fascinating characters that move a mile a minute, constantly keeping you guessing, sucking you in to more elaborate puzzles and schemes with each passing page. It's just that when compared to some of Johnson's other works, it feels like it's missing some of the same heart. Of the other two I've read, this is definitely more comparable to Nobody Move, but I'd recommend that one over this one.
It's not that The Laughing Monsters is bad - it's a wild story with fascinating characters that move a mile a minute, constantly keeping you guessing, sucking you in to more elaborate puzzles and schemes with each passing page. It's just that when compared to some of Johnson's other works, it feels like it's missing some of the same heart. Of the other two I've read, this is definitely more comparable to Nobody Move, but I'd recommend that one over this one.
polamook's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing happens? Everything happens. Do you people need signposts or what?
bridge_overbooked's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This kind of had a stream of consciousness feel to it and lacked the thriller aspect (of a mystery thriller), which was disappointing.
The Laughing Monsters is a literary thriller that follows Roland Nair, a NATO intelligence officer, as he reunites with his old friend Michael Adriko in West Africa for a dubious money-making scheme. As they navigate a landscape of espionage, betrayal, and shifting loyalties, their journey becomes a tense exploration of post-9/11 geopolitics, deception, and personal greed. The novel blends adventure and existential dread, painting a bleak portrait of moral ambiguity and chaos in a world of global surveillance and conflict.
abeanbg's review against another edition
4.0
Good, quick read. Would describe it as something like gracefully cynical. Brevity prevents it from really taking on steam and saying a whole lot, but what's here is well-observed and written by an author in total command of his voice. Pretty good summer read, all told.
shoba's review against another edition
3.0
"Credible? It sounds completely and obviously false, Michael can't you see that? What words can I use? Nonsensical. Impossible. Out of keeping with reality."
"Reality is not a fact."
"Around here it certainly isn't. God."
"Reality is an impression, a belief. Any magician knows this." Like a cartoon villain, he rubbed his hands together. "Oh my goodness, Nair, you just tickle them in their terrorism bone, and they ejaculate all kinds of money. If you mention the name of one of the Muslim Most Wanted- boom, they put on a circus for you."
andymascola's review against another edition
2.0
An American visits Africa to attend the wedding of a corrupt old friend. Didn't care for it.
readwithrosalyn's review against another edition
2.0
I picked up The Laughing Monsters because I wanted to read more books set in Sierra Leone, where my African ancestry traces back to. Unfortunately, this book didn’t meet my expectations.
The plot, centered around espionage and shifting alliances, felt scattered and hard to follow. The characters lacked depth, and the story often felt surface-level rather than offering any real cultural insight or meaningful connection to the setting. I was hoping for something that captured the richness of Sierra Leone, but instead, the setting felt like an afterthought.
The plot, centered around espionage and shifting alliances, felt scattered and hard to follow. The characters lacked depth, and the story often felt surface-level rather than offering any real cultural insight or meaningful connection to the setting. I was hoping for something that captured the richness of Sierra Leone, but instead, the setting felt like an afterthought.
dougawells's review against another edition
3.0
An example for me of a great author writing a book that just doesn't click for me. While much of the story kept me interested, in the end, I was left with a profound feeling of "meh."