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elloryjane's review
2.0
a little too on the nose…. but the vocabulary was so refreshing! had to start a note on my phone with all the new words I learned
rwlongino's review against another edition
Too meandering for me and I'm not familiar with Russian literature, so I feel like I was missing a lot of references.
tamisiobhan's review against another edition
3.0
This book was the first time hearing of this author. From what I have read I feel that I would pick up his other books. This is the first book I’ve read that has been set at the beginning of the pandemic and does involve the virus but is not heavily focused. The book follows friends and friends-of-friends coming together during the lockdown, isolating together can bring some interesting revelations, relationships and a reevaluation of what matters most. I found this book to be cleverly written. At first, I thought it was focusing on one of the eight characters but even with all characters having their voice, I found that there was three that had their spotlight throughout the book. The book is split into four parts, even with the title of the part, I had ideas on where the book was taking me. However, I only guessed small snippets of where the book was taking me. I never would have guessed the ending and I felt there were little misdirections given which added to the clever writing.
skzats_we's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
librarydancer's review against another edition
10% through the book and it did not retain my interest.
molliesampson's review against another edition
didn’t realize this was gonna be about the pandemic lol too soon for me
linneamo's review against another edition
3.0
long winded and probably better appreciated if you're familiar with Chekhov (I'm not). Similar themes undertones as "Bodies Bodies Bodies" but for an older, nyc, upper middle class, academia niche. depressingly funny but also one feels annoyed the entire time. frustrating
candalma's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5. Was odd seeing Covid in a novel. Felt like I would appreciate it if I was more familiar with Russian literature.
ashie_kate's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-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
2.0