fendeviper's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
himalayahigh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racism, Genocide, Murder, and Violence
gorecki's review against another edition
5.0
Some time ago I realised that I’ve stopped feeling swept away by books. I'd noticed that no matter how much I liked a book, I almost never felt dizzy with wonder or book-hungover or whatever it is you call that feeling you have when you read a story and can’t get over it. I was afraid I might have lost my interest in books in general, or might have pushed it too far and read too much too soon (is that even possible?). Went out of order. But then I read Days Without End by Sebastian Barry and it hit home so hard, I was left there breathing heavily, wanting the book to never end, simulating fating in front of my friends (literally.)
Barry guides us through the world of a man fighting in the American Indian Wars in the 1840s and 1850s. I loved how he used raw, mid-19th century American language to introduce a person who does not use big words, who is not very educated or well-read, but who nevertheless possesses an exceptional emotional intelligence and brightness of mind, with thoughts and observations so stark they make you shiver. The richness of his emotions, of his attachment and feelings for John Cole bring tears. His simple wish for a quiet and happy life next the ones he loves was both soothing and heart-wrenching.
This book is easily my favourite read for 2017. I will probably not be able to stop thinking about it for quite a while.
Barry guides us through the world of a man fighting in the American Indian Wars in the 1840s and 1850s. I loved how he used raw, mid-19th century American language to introduce a person who does not use big words, who is not very educated or well-read, but who nevertheless possesses an exceptional emotional intelligence and brightness of mind, with thoughts and observations so stark they make you shiver. The richness of his emotions, of his attachment and feelings for John Cole bring tears. His simple wish for a quiet and happy life next the ones he loves was both soothing and heart-wrenching.
This book is easily my favourite read for 2017. I will probably not be able to stop thinking about it for quite a while.
jessie_lewis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rc2's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so atmospheric and good. You could really feel the deadliness of the war. Also, the audiobook is the superior way to listen to this book, especially if the narrator is Irish themselves.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars for the writing (beautiful), three for the rest (shocking violence became a little repetitive).
abookorten's review against another edition
4.0
REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED AT ABOOKORTEN.CO.UK
Days Without End is a book I’ve seen many people rave about over the last year or so. I spent many book shopping trips considering it and eventually picking up a copy once it was in paperback. This was the final book I read in 2017, and I found it really interesting. I read so many great books in December that I sort of floated through this one, and I think I’ll need some more time to absorb it properly. While this broke the streak of books which made me cry, it was only by a small margin.
Thomas McNulty arrives in America from Ireland as a youngster. He forms a friendship with John Cole, and from there they move through life together, as a team. Although the book is narrated by McNulty, the focus is absolutely shared between the two men; the real thread of the book is the connection between them.
Following them from days in a small mining town through multiple wars, the novel observes in painful detail many horrors and atrocities. I think that on a reread, these would affect me more, having more clarity over what was happening. I found that a few times, I had lost the thread of where action was taking place, and was reading back over things to resituate myself – but this may have more to do with my mindset while I was reading than the book itself.
This is undeniably a beautifully written book, with incredibly compelling themes. The violence and setting push it outside my usual reading material, and I was surprised at how easily I slipped into the flow of it.
Days Without End is a book I’ve seen many people rave about over the last year or so. I spent many book shopping trips considering it and eventually picking up a copy once it was in paperback. This was the final book I read in 2017, and I found it really interesting. I read so many great books in December that I sort of floated through this one, and I think I’ll need some more time to absorb it properly. While this broke the streak of books which made me cry, it was only by a small margin.
Thomas McNulty arrives in America from Ireland as a youngster. He forms a friendship with John Cole, and from there they move through life together, as a team. Although the book is narrated by McNulty, the focus is absolutely shared between the two men; the real thread of the book is the connection between them.
Following them from days in a small mining town through multiple wars, the novel observes in painful detail many horrors and atrocities. I think that on a reread, these would affect me more, having more clarity over what was happening. I found that a few times, I had lost the thread of where action was taking place, and was reading back over things to resituate myself – but this may have more to do with my mindset while I was reading than the book itself.
This is undeniably a beautifully written book, with incredibly compelling themes. The violence and setting push it outside my usual reading material, and I was surprised at how easily I slipped into the flow of it.
meghar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
chaifanatic18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
greenblack's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0