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agusto74's review
3.0
I've been intrigued by Mailer ever since reading parts of his fascinating essay collection The Spooky Art, but this is the first time I've read one of his novels to the end. I was sometimes during the reading of this novel indirectly reminded of Philip Roth's Plot against America. Apart from any outward similarities (the venerable age of the authors, both novels historical ones and both dealing with Hitler/Nazism to an extent) I also noted that Mailer's sentences, much like P. Roth's, are devoid of clichés and have an impressive rhythm and a sort of musical flow to them. This makes both of them very readable and their readers are carried forward effortlessly to the end.
I don't think it is unfair to say that there is a certain workmanlike aspect to the styles of both of these authors.
As for the story itself I found the whole concept of it to be both courageous and bold and I was amazed at how well NM managed to keep this monster of a novel together.
I don't think it is unfair to say that there is a certain workmanlike aspect to the styles of both of these authors.
As for the story itself I found the whole concept of it to be both courageous and bold and I was amazed at how well NM managed to keep this monster of a novel together.
inopinion's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25