jpowerj's review against another edition
4.0
Every story in this book was absolutely incredible, except the last one ("The Suffering Channel"), which was sadly the longest one (similarly to "Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way" in Girl With Curious Hair, but I at least found that one somewhat worth reading) and the only one I got nothing out of. So 5 stars minus one :)
cryo_guy's review against another edition
3.0
Finally done. DFW is at times intriguing and at times excruciating.
Stories I liked: Another Pioneer, Good Old Neon
Stories that were okay: Mister Squishy, Incarnations of Burned Children, Oblivion, The Suffering Channel (but it's soo long)
Stories I didn't like: The Soul Is Not a Smithy, Philosophy and The Mirror of Nature
Stories I liked: Another Pioneer, Good Old Neon
Stories that were okay: Mister Squishy, Incarnations of Burned Children, Oblivion, The Suffering Channel (but it's soo long)
Stories I didn't like: The Soul Is Not a Smithy, Philosophy and The Mirror of Nature
patkohn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mathew's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
chirson's review against another edition
DNF-ing. I'd read the first three or four stories six years ago and I'd enjoyed them well enough, then I needed to give the copy back and I planned to finish in e-book, but kept putting it off. And now an acquaintance I don't really like (and whose literary taste is the opposite of mine) has been going around quoting DFW like it's the height of taste for months and I think I won't be able to get back to it without associating it with the person, so off my shelf it goes.
drewbutler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
ewascibior's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ferris_mx's review against another edition
4.0
Hahahaha, what did I just read? I enjoyed it, the way Wallace plays with time. Making a second last for many pages, or summarizing an intervening plot period with a few words, or brutally foreshadowing the future, whether relevant to the plot or not. But I don't really know what it was about.
ichirofakename's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I could write like this.
Though a little aggravating in uniformly omitting final resolutions.
Somehow he manages to make a meaningful, insightful, perceptive, and almost believable story on the subject of a guy who defecates sculpture.
Recommended for fans of the extremely talented.
It appears that short stories can in fact be readable.
Though a little aggravating in uniformly omitting final resolutions.
Somehow he manages to make a meaningful, insightful, perceptive, and almost believable story on the subject of a guy who defecates sculpture.
Recommended for fans of the extremely talented.
It appears that short stories can in fact be readable.
patrique's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5