dutchtineke's review against another edition
4.0
Dit was mijn eerste Bookcrossingboek ooit die door iemand anders was geregistreerd. 7 jaar en 3 maanden lang keek ik enorm tegen dit boek op, mede door de slechte reviews op onder andere GR en de vrij intimiderende eerste pagina. Maar lezen zou ik hem. Nu heb ik eindelijk de moed gevonden en wat bleek? Door mijn slechte verwachtingen, viel dit boek opeens enorm mee. De wat politiekere stukjes etc. vond ik vrij ingewikkeld, maar de verhalende delen vond ik best interessant en dat maakte dit boek goed leesbaar. Zo leesbaar dat ik dit boek over een aantal jaren nog eens wil gaan lezen. Maar dit exemplaar gaat eindelijk weer het bookcrosscircuit in!
kbratten's review against another edition
3.0
I've never read any Salmon Rushdie, and reading reviews of this book I take it this is not his best work. I understand why people love his writing style. His word choice is amazing. The story isn't bad, necessarily. I would have liked it more if all the build up of his complicated relationship with the women in his life were not left to fizzle in a random war halfway around the world. I enjoyed delving into the concept of fury, but the point seems to be that the resolution of fury is time, and a new girlfriend. It could have/should have been more interesting than that. He had all the pieces there, but didnt come through.
servemethesky's review against another edition
3.0
What a strange and puzzling read. I read a lot of weird literature, and this is, by far, the weirdest thing I have read all year. I honestly don't know what to make of it. I'm teetering close to 2 stars on this one, but I did like it and find it compelling, so I'm landing with 3.
Malik Solanka is not likeable in the slightest. By the end, I found myself still hoping for a redemptive reunion with Eleanor- which seems silly, in light of his deeply felt, more-than-just-a-tryst trysts throughout the novel. The scene with the three 'furies' was powerful. Lots of pieces were powerful or provocative, but much of the rest seemed like confusing, needless rants.
It's interesting from a historical perspective to look back on the time when this was written. When a website was an innovative idea for a creative outlet. The way Rushdie depicts America in 2001 is fascinating.
Mostly, I am confused by this book. It hasn't turned me off of Rushdie completely though. There was something Nabokovian about his writing that I liked (I did write my thesis on Nabokov, after all). And I do still have a copy of [b:The Enchantress Of Florence|1317696|The Enchantress Of Florence|Salman Rushdie|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1200508801s/1317696.jpg|2495143] sitting on my bookshelf that I'll getto someday...
Malik Solanka is not likeable in the slightest. By the end, I found myself still hoping for a redemptive reunion with Eleanor- which seems silly, in light of his deeply felt, more-than-just-a-tryst trysts throughout the novel. The scene with the three 'furies' was powerful. Lots of pieces were powerful or provocative, but much of the rest seemed like confusing, needless rants.
It's interesting from a historical perspective to look back on the time when this was written. When a website was an innovative idea for a creative outlet. The way Rushdie depicts America in 2001 is fascinating.
Mostly, I am confused by this book. It hasn't turned me off of Rushdie completely though. There was something Nabokovian about his writing that I liked (I did write my thesis on Nabokov, after all). And I do still have a copy of [b:The Enchantress Of Florence|1317696|The Enchantress Of Florence|Salman Rushdie|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1200508801s/1317696.jpg|2495143] sitting on my bookshelf that I'll getto someday...
poenaestante's review against another edition
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There is no doubt that Rushdie is a truly talented writer, but I struggle to understand what this book is actually about.
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest, Murder, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
aurorabulgaris's review against another edition
3.0
What
A
Book
!
The breathless, breathtaking rant of a deeply unhappy man, who has lost himself and has also stopped searching, of a man who no longer recognizes the world around him, but understands it perfectly.
I can't say I like the book, simply because there was so much anger in every line.
However, it is written masterfully. Rushdie is of course an incredibly well educated, well read and extremely well versed, so it's no surprise that his book is a literary delight!
A
Book
!
The breathless, breathtaking rant of a deeply unhappy man, who has lost himself and has also stopped searching, of a man who no longer recognizes the world around him, but understands it perfectly.
I can't say I like the book, simply because there was so much anger in every line.
However, it is written masterfully. Rushdie is of course an incredibly well educated, well read and extremely well versed, so it's no surprise that his book is a literary delight!
artist_lace's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
josiahhall's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
cuun's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.75
A bit of an uneven read. Some parts were captivating an brilliantly written, others dragged a bit too much.
angharadmiller's review against another edition
challenging
funny
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
3.5
jstrehse's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really like the stream-of-consciousness style of writing. I felt that the female characters were plot devices for the main character, which might have been by design.