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hidelynch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ovaltineplease's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anna_diana's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rouge_red's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Basically a long book about one man getting blue-balled the entire way through. That's what happens when you don't consider other people's feelings, and just your own desires.
sunshine42's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting idea. I didn't really understand the ending (or at least I believe I didn't, since I didn't really like it...). Couldn't find any sympathy in me for the main caracter. Absolutely nothing whatsoever to admire or feel sorry for. Some interesting quotes about what being "British" entails.
patrick_dale91's review against another edition
4.0
What a bonkers read. It's a story that has almost eveurthing: love, adventure, philosophy, morality, psychology, revenge; I could go on. Our main character, Nicolas Urfe, a narcisstic young twenty something, has become disillusioned with English life and so seeks adventure on a Greek island. And he finds it from the elusive Conchis, an elusive, rich islander who begins inviting Nicolas to his house and seemingly begins to play elaborate games with him, involving supposed actors. It can occasionally feel like being on an acid trip, it really is a roller coaster of a ride, being romantic one minute, absurd the next, philosophical after that. And fuck me did it make me want to go to a Greek island: I could visualise it all so well. I wonder if this is quite a male read as well: a mysterious, beautiful girl on a gorgeous island; I would imagine this pulls at the deepest desires of a lot of males. I suppose my biggest flaw is that it's unpredictability became predictable; for instance, it was clear to even my naive eyes that -SPOILER ALERT- Alison was still alive. But that he held the madness together is testament to his skills as a writer. What Fowles' book to read next I wonder?
aliteralfield's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
No idea how to rate this book! It was crazy. It’s a sort of retelling of the tempest but on a Greek island and messed up!!! The story follows a bored Oxford postgrad who gets a teaching job on a remote Greek island and he is warned about a mysterious man. Of course he wants to explore the man and become his toy. Master/sceintist/rich guys manipulates Nickolas (teacher) into thinking things that aren’t real and are real. This girl appears from cochinus (the Magus) past from his story telling in front of Nickolas and they become acquainted only then does he realises she is really and is a twin but her master says she’s schizophrenic. Who can you believe? More lies and twists continue…. Nazis, Greek gods and hypnosis… so much happens but also doesn’t. Very confusing but a good read though very long!!! Lots of literary references as Nickolas studied literature at Oxford so there’s a lot of Shakespeare and Ovid linkage. Highly recommend a read but again like a lot of these books the women are treated horrendously
jo_plum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Amazing. A masterpiece.
lexish00's review against another edition
4.0
Recommendation first: If there was an abridged version of this book I would without a doubt recommend it. It is certainly a unique story and quite interesting at parts, but it is also HUGE and somewhat hard to follow. So, if you have some time on your hands and enjoy the romantic style then jump right in. You're in for an interesting ride.
This book makes me want to curse a little. I mean, honestly, WTF! The first few hundred pages were so slow and meandering that I felt like I myself was lost on a Greek island. Sometimes it was beautiful, sometimes it was boring. Then the strange workings of Conchis were underfoot and things got interesting fast. When I got to the true reveal, the trial, etc., it was just devastatingly confusing and satisfying. It felt like a freefall. I even admit that I liked the ambiguous ending, and I certainly like to believe that our young couple remained broken up, went separate ways, never spoke again, and were immensely better for it!
I actually really enjoyed the reveal. I wish there was more explanation of the "why." My favorite character was actually Jojo (though I quite enjoyed June and Julie as well). Jojo was not only a pretty plot point, but also felt like a whole, honest character who brought Nick back into reality.
--
ETA: Apparently not everyone agrees the ending is ambiguous! Ah well, it is my belief that if the "true" ending is one of a romantic get-back-together, then it is somewhat trite. But hey we all have opinions. Good job, John Fowles, on writing a book that causes so many emotions to bubble up.
This book makes me want to curse a little. I mean, honestly, WTF! The first few hundred pages were so slow and meandering that I felt like I myself was lost on a Greek island. Sometimes it was beautiful, sometimes it was boring. Then the strange workings of Conchis were underfoot and things got interesting fast. When I got to the true reveal, the trial, etc., it was just devastatingly confusing and satisfying. It felt like a freefall. I even admit that I liked the ambiguous ending, and I certainly like to believe that our young couple remained broken up, went separate ways, never spoke again, and were immensely better for it!
I actually really enjoyed the reveal. I wish there was more explanation of the "why." My favorite character was actually Jojo (though I quite enjoyed June and Julie as well). Jojo was not only a pretty plot point, but also felt like a whole, honest character who brought Nick back into reality.
--
ETA: Apparently not everyone agrees the ending is ambiguous! Ah well, it is my belief that if the "true" ending is one of a romantic get-back-together, then it is somewhat trite. But hey we all have opinions. Good job, John Fowles, on writing a book that causes so many emotions to bubble up.