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teaandlibri's review against another edition
2.0
It seemed like such a cool concept. I've read a few of Matthew Pearl's books, from his debut ('The Dante Club') and more. This sounded intriguing: stealing manuscripts prior the enactment of stricter copyright laws and the adventures that come along. I like historical fiction and historical fiction that revolve around books is always something I enjoy.
The POVs somewhat alternate (sometimes for one chapter, sometimes several) between waiter Culver and Fergins, a bookseller on the train Culver is usually on. We see Fergins as he gets introduced to bookaneers and their world, plus the grand adventure of pursuing a manuscript of Robert Louis Stevenson.
Yet overall it was a disappointment. I've always found Pearl's writing somewhat clunky: often much too wordy, takes too long to describe certain things, and quite often seems more in love with the concept of his stories rather than being able to execute them well. It's been several years since I've read any of his books, but I'd say his 'Dante' book remains his best one. I've kept reading hoping it would improve, but his style is very difficult to read though.
Overall it was a disappointment. Borrow from the library. I'm not sure I'll be reading anything else by Pearl, sadly.
The POVs somewhat alternate (sometimes for one chapter, sometimes several) between waiter Culver and Fergins, a bookseller on the train Culver is usually on. We see Fergins as he gets introduced to bookaneers and their world, plus the grand adventure of pursuing a manuscript of Robert Louis Stevenson.
Yet overall it was a disappointment. I've always found Pearl's writing somewhat clunky: often much too wordy, takes too long to describe certain things, and quite often seems more in love with the concept of his stories rather than being able to execute them well. It's been several years since I've read any of his books, but I'd say his 'Dante' book remains his best one. I've kept reading hoping it would improve, but his style is very difficult to read though.
Overall it was a disappointment. Borrow from the library. I'm not sure I'll be reading anything else by Pearl, sadly.
anastasiaadamov's review against another edition
3.0
Read for the Buddy Readathon 2022 with Vivone.
Not my type of a book and probably would not pick it up on my own.
The theme alone should have been enough to get me interested but the start of the book was a bit fuzzy for me and because I could not connect with any of the characters the rest of the book did not pull me in as much it should have otherwise.
At the second part of the book there are some cool plot twists going on and the book ended on a high note interest for me.
All things considered I should have been more thrilled with this book for the topic alone and it makes me sad I did not enjoy it all more.
Just ok instead of great...
Not my type of a book and probably would not pick it up on my own.
The theme alone should have been enough to get me interested but the start of the book was a bit fuzzy for me and because I could not connect with any of the characters the rest of the book did not pull me in as much it should have otherwise.
At the second part of the book there are some cool plot twists going on and the book ended on a high note interest for me.
All things considered I should have been more thrilled with this book for the topic alone and it makes me sad I did not enjoy it all more.
Just ok instead of great...
momwrex's review against another edition
2.0
Could not finish. I love books. I love history. It just became a slog. I may try reading it again in the future as others rate it highly.
nerdistrob's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ricefun's review against another edition
3.0
I was very enthusiastic when I began reading this book. It was the perfect subject matter and pace for a flight. The first half kept my attention. But I was confused by the frame of the novel. It felt like the storyteller of the book and the storyteller of the story within the book could have been the same person and caused less confusion and unnecessary clarification.
The further I got into the book the less I was interested in picking it up and finishing it. The bookseller character transformed from interesting and compelling to ho-hum and I had to force myself to finish reading.
I don't think it is a bad novel, and for those of us who love books it is an interesting fictional account of what could have been happening in the publishing business. But altogether I wouldn't recommend this highly.
The further I got into the book the less I was interested in picking it up and finishing it. The bookseller character transformed from interesting and compelling to ho-hum and I had to force myself to finish reading.
I don't think it is a bad novel, and for those of us who love books it is an interesting fictional account of what could have been happening in the publishing business. But altogether I wouldn't recommend this highly.
atarbett's review against another edition
All I can say is "meh" and my To Read pile is too large to put up with "meh" books.
librarian_lisa_22's review against another edition
2.0
I do like Pearl's writing style--but this book couldn't reel me in. I wasn't captivated by the plot or concept and do have to walk away.
ivinklerkomaric's review against another edition
2.0
Buddy Readathon s Anom – 12
Ova knjiga mi je bila kao ona izreka: „Gdje si bio? Nigdje. Što si radio? Ništa.“
Dakle, što sam ja to pročitala? Zaista ne znam. Autor je natrpao ali baš svega i svačega. Prva polovica knjige predosadna. Da nije bila za buddy read, mislim da bih ju ne samo ostavila, nego (da sam čitala papirnatu knjigu) šutnula u smeće. Na pola knjige se nešto počinje i događati, malo povijesti, malo avanture. Svidjelo mi se što opisuje život Roberta Louisa Stevensona (i pitala sam se koliko su to napisano o njemu stvarne činjenice i na kraju knjige sam dobila odgovor). Zbog tih događaja sam čak naginjala dati knjizi 3 zvjezdice, al onda je autor na kraju sve sjebao i odoše moje tri zvjezdice u vjetar. Likovi mi se uopće nisu svidjeli, a i kad mi se jedan od njih pomalo počeo sviđati, autor ga sasiječe u korijenu. Nije mi se svidjelo u kojem smjeru je priča krenula, željela sam drugačiji kraj. I to što se tijekom knjige dogodilo nekoliko zaista iznenađujućih preokreta, nije pomoglo, jer mi se nijedan nije svidio (osim odlaska glavnih likova na Samou), a neki su bili i besmisleni (Fergrinsovo tumaranje po prašumi). Jedva jedvice će zbog Stevensona dobiti dvojku.
Kako neka knjiga o knjigama može biti tako razočaravajuća.
Ova knjiga mi je bila kao ona izreka: „Gdje si bio? Nigdje. Što si radio? Ništa.“
Dakle, što sam ja to pročitala? Zaista ne znam. Autor je natrpao ali baš svega i svačega. Prva polovica knjige predosadna. Da nije bila za buddy read, mislim da bih ju ne samo ostavila, nego (da sam čitala papirnatu knjigu) šutnula u smeće. Na pola knjige se nešto počinje i događati, malo povijesti, malo avanture. Svidjelo mi se što opisuje život Roberta Louisa Stevensona (i pitala sam se koliko su to napisano o njemu stvarne činjenice i na kraju knjige sam dobila odgovor). Zbog tih događaja sam čak naginjala dati knjizi 3 zvjezdice, al onda je autor na kraju sve sjebao i odoše moje tri zvjezdice u vjetar. Likovi mi se uopće nisu svidjeli, a i kad mi se jedan od njih pomalo počeo sviđati, autor ga sasiječe u korijenu. Nije mi se svidjelo u kojem smjeru je priča krenula, željela sam drugačiji kraj. I to što se tijekom knjige dogodilo nekoliko zaista iznenađujućih preokreta, nije pomoglo, jer mi se nijedan nije svidio (osim odlaska glavnih likova na Samou), a neki su bili i besmisleni (Fergrinsovo tumaranje po prašumi). Jedva jedvice će zbog Stevensona dobiti dvojku.
Kako neka knjiga o knjigama može biti tako razočaravajuća.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe it was just me, but this dragged quite a bit. There were parts I liked (the history of the bookends, the copyright issues, stories of good "gets") but then, in the middle of Samoa, it just stopped. There was too much time spent there, too little going on. The narrative scheme, like the first half of Wuthering Heights, is told by a participant to someone, which mostly works. There is sometimes a hint of the unreliable narrator because of that, but mostly what we get is Clover's listening to Fergins' tale and his near stalking of Feigns to get all of it.
Clover was a little problematic for me: he's a mulatto, so there's some prejudice (as when he tries to visit Feigns' residence), but beyond that it's mentioned a few times to no real effect. I also didn't quite buy the ending with him joining the merchant marines and sailing the world. For some reason, that part didn't quite blend with the earlier story.
ARC provided by publisher.
Clover was a little problematic for me: he's a mulatto, so there's some prejudice (as when he tries to visit Feigns' residence), but beyond that it's mentioned a few times to no real effect. I also didn't quite buy the ending with him joining the merchant marines and sailing the world. For some reason, that part didn't quite blend with the earlier story.
ARC provided by publisher.