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cats_22's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
jalalslava's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
erickibler4's review
5.0
If you don't want a challenge, this book is not for you. But if you're reader who likes to scale the heights of Joyce, Pynchon, and Wallace, you should love it.
Alan Moore is well known for being clever. He's a watchmaker, like Dr. Manhattan's father in Watchmen. His stories are masterpieces of construction and deconstruction. But this is the first work where we see behind the clever mind and get a sense of the big, but wounded heart of Alan Moore. We find out what he loves. What pisses him off. The vanished things he pines for. Anybody who has followed his career over the years in well aware of how he seems more easily offended than many. How, when offended, he burns bridges, shakes the dust from his sandals, and moves on, never to darken the door of the person or corporation that's offended him. If you want to understand that quality in him, pay close attention to his fictional alter ego, Alma Warren. There's an anecdote in the book about how Alma (who like Moore is a tall, hairy, unconventional-looking person, and solidly working-class in appearance and behavior) is followed by employees at an upscale grocery as a perceived thief. Alma does not accept the store's apology and vows never to return. And lives up to that vow. With Alma and Alan, such grudges are for keeps. Why? It all comes down to the fact that Moore is a working class man who grew up (and still lives) in a working class town (Northampton). His family, friends, and town have always suffered the contempt of the rich and powerful since time immemorial. In the case of Northampton, what should have been the central, shining light of England and the birthplace of so many ideas and movements, has been impoverished and shunted aside. Moore feels that rejection keenly, so when he has felt badly dealt with by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, etc., he sees in these companies every arrogant king, corrupt councilman, and rapacious capitalist that has ever sullied what he loves, from prehistory on down. He withdraws, never to grace them again with his considerable talent. He's proud, you see. This sense of wounded pride, for himself, his family, his friends, his town, and his class, is what drives this book emotionally.
I have so much more to say about this book. I imagine I'll keep adding to this review.
Alan Moore is well known for being clever. He's a watchmaker, like Dr. Manhattan's father in Watchmen. His stories are masterpieces of construction and deconstruction. But this is the first work where we see behind the clever mind and get a sense of the big, but wounded heart of Alan Moore. We find out what he loves. What pisses him off. The vanished things he pines for. Anybody who has followed his career over the years in well aware of how he seems more easily offended than many. How, when offended, he burns bridges, shakes the dust from his sandals, and moves on, never to darken the door of the person or corporation that's offended him. If you want to understand that quality in him, pay close attention to his fictional alter ego, Alma Warren. There's an anecdote in the book about how Alma (who like Moore is a tall, hairy, unconventional-looking person, and solidly working-class in appearance and behavior) is followed by employees at an upscale grocery as a perceived thief. Alma does not accept the store's apology and vows never to return. And lives up to that vow. With Alma and Alan, such grudges are for keeps. Why? It all comes down to the fact that Moore is a working class man who grew up (and still lives) in a working class town (Northampton). His family, friends, and town have always suffered the contempt of the rich and powerful since time immemorial. In the case of Northampton, what should have been the central, shining light of England and the birthplace of so many ideas and movements, has been impoverished and shunted aside. Moore feels that rejection keenly, so when he has felt badly dealt with by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, etc., he sees in these companies every arrogant king, corrupt councilman, and rapacious capitalist that has ever sullied what he loves, from prehistory on down. He withdraws, never to grace them again with his considerable talent. He's proud, you see. This sense of wounded pride, for himself, his family, his friends, his town, and his class, is what drives this book emotionally.
I have so much more to say about this book. I imagine I'll keep adding to this review.
n_besse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kaylamolander's review against another edition
1.0
Holy moly does it never end????? He really enjoys the sound of his own words, clearly.
Way too long, way too wide in scope, too unfocused and meandering, so repetitive. Too old-school white male. Too Judeo-Christian. Too crass. Too boring. Not to mention arrogant and self-centered. I mean, writing a story about a family that is chosen by God to be just TOO creative and talented for this world so they go crazy, basing it on your own family, and making your fictional counterpart the literal keeper of judgement day is possibly the definition of egoism.
Just so, so unenjoyable and BAD. I mean, there is some good stuff, but the small amount of enjoyable prose drowns in the overwhelming deluge of awful.
I rarely do this, I believe in finishing what you start, especially before leaving a negative review, but I had to DNF it. Book 2 was really, really draggy, but I was determined. So when I got 6 hours into the 3rd book, and I still hasn't heard a single piece of relevant information (relevant to the story), I had to throw in the towel. It's just some old guy ranting about the world. There are so many books to read, I just can't waste so much time on this one. It feels like stealing from other books. Like any other book at this point.
Way too long, way too wide in scope, too unfocused and meandering, so repetitive. Too old-school white male. Too Judeo-Christian. Too crass. Too boring. Not to mention arrogant and self-centered. I mean, writing a story about a family that is chosen by God to be just TOO creative and talented for this world so they go crazy, basing it on your own family, and making your fictional counterpart the literal keeper of judgement day is possibly the definition of egoism.
Just so, so unenjoyable and BAD. I mean, there is some good stuff, but the small amount of enjoyable prose drowns in the overwhelming deluge of awful.
I rarely do this, I believe in finishing what you start, especially before leaving a negative review, but I had to DNF it. Book 2 was really, really draggy, but I was determined. So when I got 6 hours into the 3rd book, and I still hasn't heard a single piece of relevant information (relevant to the story), I had to throw in the towel. It's just some old guy ranting about the world. There are so many books to read, I just can't waste so much time on this one. It feels like stealing from other books. Like any other book at this point.
dangerbassett's review against another edition
The pace was so slow. I noticed I was more interested in how I was sitting in the chair then what I was reading
little_witch_bee's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
villavlcek's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A masterpiece
mnkeemagick's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
If you are sensitive to triggers and you're looking at reviews to decide if you want to read this, start there and come back. Many of the tags I've listed are very explicit and some of them are even point of view.
Now then, I can confidently say that it feels like I've got smoke pouring from my ears after this one. This 1200 page behemoth was something to behold: it's a blur of philosophy, experimental writing form, various points of view, and shifting styles all wrapped into a love letter for the downtrodden, dirty, and forgotten. The way that Moore writes is enthralling without the prose itself being flowery or pretentious or overtly complicated, and it ultimately kept me going. Some sections range from slow to downright hard to get through either emotionally or technically, but overall, if you're a fan of experimental writing, nonlinear storytelling, interesting philosophy on death or God, or just want to experience a true delve into a lower class slice of life as they're immortalized and given mythos, then this is worth chewing through.
As I said above, be warned. There are many parts of these stories that feature explicit sexual assault, violence, harassment, and abuse. Parts of it are literally made hard to read at their most basic technical level. It's not a book for everyone, and in many instances it may not even be enjoyable, but it is certainly an interesting exercise that I feel is worth reading, and a ride worth taking.
Now then, I can confidently say that it feels like I've got smoke pouring from my ears after this one. This 1200 page behemoth was something to behold: it's a blur of philosophy, experimental writing form, various points of view, and shifting styles all wrapped into a love letter for the downtrodden, dirty, and forgotten. The way that Moore writes is enthralling without the prose itself being flowery or pretentious or overtly complicated, and it ultimately kept me going. Some sections range from slow to downright hard to get through either emotionally or technically, but overall, if you're a fan of experimental writing, nonlinear storytelling, interesting philosophy on death or God, or just want to experience a true delve into a lower class slice of life as they're immortalized and given mythos, then this is worth chewing through.
As I said above, be warned. There are many parts of these stories that feature explicit sexual assault, violence, harassment, and abuse. Parts of it are literally made hard to read at their most basic technical level. It's not a book for everyone, and in many instances it may not even be enjoyable, but it is certainly an interesting exercise that I feel is worth reading, and a ride worth taking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism