plaidbrarian's review against another edition
5.0
There have been very few books I've read in my life that I was tempted to start again as soon as I finished them. This is one of those proud few. Friendship, brotherhood, love, sex, religion, psychology, violence, retribution, betrayal, life, death, and the proper way to drop the "c" word into conversation without truly offending anyone (basically, be Scottish). Half Voltaire, half Vonnegut, all brilliant
pamelajobrownlee's review against another edition
4.0
I am not precisely sure what I just read. I remember being uncomfortable at times, amused at times, and having my heart warmed at times. The stories were all over the place, but linked. It was pretty damn personal, and pretty damn pointed, and often pretty damn relevant. And now that I’m finished with the book, I feel the memory of happiness. So yes, I’m pretty sure I liked this book.
faintingviolet's review against another edition
2.0
We have, at the core of the book, two pairs of men traversing life, the globe, and the metaphysical in search of… something. Around that core we also have a truly problematic book to read today. The worst parts of Ferguson’s shtick (of which I can admit to, while I loved his late night show and his comedy specials) stand out in stark relief against the more nuanced aspects of his writing. He lays in repetitive phrasing in a way to form the Greek chorus in the background which I found highly enjoyable, but also appears to have not managed to write a single woman with agency in his entire book.
full review: https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/2018/10/18/between-the-bridge-and-the-river-cbr10-51/
full review: https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/2018/10/18/between-the-bridge-and-the-river-cbr10-51/
cmbwell's review against another edition
2.0
This was a bookclub choice.
I learned about this book while reading Craig Ferguson's autobiography. I liked the autobiography more. This book was just out there enough that I couldn't connect with it.
I learned about this book while reading Craig Ferguson's autobiography. I liked the autobiography more. This book was just out there enough that I couldn't connect with it.
jeanjeannie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
pinkalpaca's review against another edition
4.0
Craig Ferguson is a brilliant guy, I hope he writes another novel.
eilconj's review against another edition
5.0
A interesting spiritual fairy tale following two Scottish boys and two Southern US boys and how they eventually collide. A satire of modern day religion. I recommend.
katdjz's review against another edition
4.0
I really wasn't sure how I felt about the book and changed my mind numerous times during the course of reading it. Starting off, I found it hard to get into and wrap my mind around all the characters and meandering story. Halfway through, I still didn't like it, but felt the need to continue on and see what happened. By the end I had trouble putting it down.
Personally, I had to give up on keeping everyone straight in my mind and just go with the flow, which isn't easy for me. If you can just let go and do the same, appreciating the journey and the intelligent writing make for an enjoyable and definitely interesting experience.
Personally, I had to give up on keeping everyone straight in my mind and just go with the flow, which isn't easy for me. If you can just let go and do the same, appreciating the journey and the intelligent writing make for an enjoyable and definitely interesting experience.
verkisto's review against another edition
3.0
There's a good chance that, had I not known who the author of this book was, I wouldn't have been interested in reading it. It's received some good reviews, and even a starred review or two from library publications, but the premise didn't really strike me as anything outstanding. But I like Craig Ferguson, and it turned out that this isn't his first time writing a full-fledged story (he's written three movies). By the time it was selected for my book club group, it was pretty much a done deal that I would read it.
This is an odd, quirky book. It focuses on a handful of disparate, unrelated characters who are going through their own epiphanies. One is a disgraced televangelist; another is a man diagnosed with terminal cancer; another is a sleazy manipulator using his brother for his own gain. Each is looking for something significant, something important (though some are trying harder to find it than others), and their journeys to find what they seek ultimately intersect. It probably would have been easy for the author to have them all group up at the end of the novel and have it be some happy-go-lucky confluence of events; instead, their interaction is limited, and in some cases, fleeting. So chalk one up to the author for doing something unexpected.
It's hard to talk about the plot for this book. It exists, but mostly as a framework to showcase the characters. That being said, this isn't exactly a character-driven novel, either. As I mentioned, "odd and quirky" is a good way to describe this novel. You'll be caught up in the events of each character's life, and keep reading the book because he jumps from character to character between chapters, usually at those moments where you want to know NOW what happens to Character X, just as he takes us to Character Y. It's a cheap way to build suspense and keep you reading, but damn it, it works.
The book is also oddly (there's that word again) poignant. I say that because the book is a little profane, and sometimes offensive, but the author typically finds a way to use those moments to make some comment about life that is spot on. He doesn't hold back from what he really wants to say -- he skewers religion, love, Hollywood, sex, and what it means to be a number of different nationalities over the course of the novel -- but he never sounds callous, mean, or cruel as he does so. He's just making observations, tempered through his characters. My favorite moment was when I realized the significance of the title of the book.
This book probably isn't for everyone, but I think it's worth reading. It certainly has a lot to say.
This is an odd, quirky book. It focuses on a handful of disparate, unrelated characters who are going through their own epiphanies. One is a disgraced televangelist; another is a man diagnosed with terminal cancer; another is a sleazy manipulator using his brother for his own gain. Each is looking for something significant, something important (though some are trying harder to find it than others), and their journeys to find what they seek ultimately intersect. It probably would have been easy for the author to have them all group up at the end of the novel and have it be some happy-go-lucky confluence of events; instead, their interaction is limited, and in some cases, fleeting. So chalk one up to the author for doing something unexpected.
It's hard to talk about the plot for this book. It exists, but mostly as a framework to showcase the characters. That being said, this isn't exactly a character-driven novel, either. As I mentioned, "odd and quirky" is a good way to describe this novel. You'll be caught up in the events of each character's life, and keep reading the book because he jumps from character to character between chapters, usually at those moments where you want to know NOW what happens to Character X, just as he takes us to Character Y. It's a cheap way to build suspense and keep you reading, but damn it, it works.
The book is also oddly (there's that word again) poignant. I say that because the book is a little profane, and sometimes offensive, but the author typically finds a way to use those moments to make some comment about life that is spot on. He doesn't hold back from what he really wants to say -- he skewers religion, love, Hollywood, sex, and what it means to be a number of different nationalities over the course of the novel -- but he never sounds callous, mean, or cruel as he does so. He's just making observations, tempered through his characters. My favorite moment was when I realized the significance of the title of the book.
This book probably isn't for everyone, but I think it's worth reading. It certainly has a lot to say.
jolew's review against another edition
4.0
This book could only be written by someone as crazy and as funny as Craig Ferguson. The characters are great and the story is so wild and fun. It really is rather deep, but it sneaks up on you, subtle.