billybookmark's review against another edition
4.0
he should change his name to keith, because this book is magic
tonythep's review against another edition
4.0
A strange and sad story imagining John Lennon’s quest to find a small island off the western coast of Ireland which he had purchased years earlier. Aided by an enigmatic local guide named Cornelius, Lennon hopes to find peace and some kind of creative rejuvenation on his island.
joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
As a writer, Kevin Barry is an impressive and unique stylist. And "Beatlebone" is no exception.
To begin with, this novel is difficult to classify. Technically, it is a work of contemporary or literary fiction. However, there are elements of the surreal and the fantastic woven seamlessly throughout and complicating efforts to apply any simple descriptions.
One of the book's distinguishing marks is its humor. Wry, cynical, and occasionally absurd, the novel is not necessarily a comedy, but it never takes itself too seriously either.
Its most distinguishing feature, however, is its treatment of time. Past, present, future; characters and author; reality, dreams, and fantasy - these elements are not distinct from each other. The lack of chapter divisions and quotation marks blurs the lines and accentuates the strange fluidity of the characters experiences throughout the story. In this way, the various facets of John's journey bleed into each other, sometimes even allowing the internal and the external to share a common space. And the end result is unique and delightful.
It is not the easiest book to read, but this is not a weakness. The style is fully a part of the narrative. Through John's adventures, "Beatlebone" is an exploration of human weakness, time, memory, and the search for self improvement. It is solemn and funny. It is grounded and surreal. The dialogue is consistently quite crass, which may be off-putting to some readers. However, the vibrant and distinct voice, the unique style, the blurred lines, and the central humanity unite flawlessly to create a distinct and delightful work that is a strong artistic and human achievement.
To begin with, this novel is difficult to classify. Technically, it is a work of contemporary or literary fiction. However, there are elements of the surreal and the fantastic woven seamlessly throughout and complicating efforts to apply any simple descriptions.
One of the book's distinguishing marks is its humor. Wry, cynical, and occasionally absurd, the novel is not necessarily a comedy, but it never takes itself too seriously either.
Its most distinguishing feature, however, is its treatment of time. Past, present, future; characters and author; reality, dreams, and fantasy - these elements are not distinct from each other. The lack of chapter divisions and quotation marks blurs the lines and accentuates the strange fluidity of the characters experiences throughout the story. In this way, the various facets of John's journey bleed into each other, sometimes even allowing the internal and the external to share a common space. And the end result is unique and delightful.
It is not the easiest book to read, but this is not a weakness. The style is fully a part of the narrative. Through John's adventures, "Beatlebone" is an exploration of human weakness, time, memory, and the search for self improvement. It is solemn and funny. It is grounded and surreal. The dialogue is consistently quite crass, which may be off-putting to some readers. However, the vibrant and distinct voice, the unique style, the blurred lines, and the central humanity unite flawlessly to create a distinct and delightful work that is a strong artistic and human achievement.
sweddy65's review against another edition
3.0
I will write about the rating stars in a minute.
So: it's the story of John Lennon going to western Ireland to find himself, or grow up, or get away from his responsibilities (and therefore NOT grow up.) He is being pursued by the media but is being helped by a driver who also serves as a guide.
The rating stars: I don't really know how many stars to give it, so I thought I would write about that:
1. The first 2/3 of the book: I would give four stars for the jazz-like/dream-like writing that captured a particular type of nightmare, but the writing was also very male in a way I particularly dislike, so I would give the male-ness that I dislike only two stars.
2. And then Kevin Barry inserts himself and tells us about his research process. I hated this part. When I realized what was happening, I went and read a couple of reputable reviews. The reviewers I read didn't hate this part. The New York Times reviewer (Charles Finch: "And yet the risk pays off") thought it worked. I did not think it worked. It felt unnecessary. It felt egotistical. It felt, perhaps, even more male in a way that I dislike. Plus, that part was not very well written. I would give that part only one star.
3. And then we're back with John and he's making a record based on his nightmare-ish experience in western Ireland. And, artificially, the two young people he interacted with at the Amethyst Hotel wander by. And maybe just because I hated Barry inserted himself, or maybe because Barry ran out of juice, I didn't find that part as compelling as the first two-thirds of the book. I would give that part 2 1/2 or 3 stars.
So: read it or don't. Or read the first two-thirds of it, but once Barry inserts himself, just put it down and down come back to it. Or, if you are a huge John Lennon fan, read the whole thing and love when Barry inserts himself.
I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm not going to rave about it and tell all my friends to read it.
So: it's the story of John Lennon going to western Ireland to find himself, or grow up, or get away from his responsibilities (and therefore NOT grow up.) He is being pursued by the media but is being helped by a driver who also serves as a guide.
The rating stars: I don't really know how many stars to give it, so I thought I would write about that:
1. The first 2/3 of the book: I would give four stars for the jazz-like/dream-like writing that captured a particular type of nightmare, but the writing was also very male in a way I particularly dislike, so I would give the male-ness that I dislike only two stars.
2. And then Kevin Barry inserts himself and tells us about his research process. I hated this part. When I realized what was happening, I went and read a couple of reputable reviews. The reviewers I read didn't hate this part. The New York Times reviewer (Charles Finch: "And yet the risk pays off") thought it worked. I did not think it worked. It felt unnecessary. It felt egotistical. It felt, perhaps, even more male in a way that I dislike. Plus, that part was not very well written. I would give that part only one star.
3. And then we're back with John and he's making a record based on his nightmare-ish experience in western Ireland. And, artificially, the two young people he interacted with at the Amethyst Hotel wander by. And maybe just because I hated Barry inserted himself, or maybe because Barry ran out of juice, I didn't find that part as compelling as the first two-thirds of the book. I would give that part 2 1/2 or 3 stars.
So: read it or don't. Or read the first two-thirds of it, but once Barry inserts himself, just put it down and down come back to it. Or, if you are a huge John Lennon fan, read the whole thing and love when Barry inserts himself.
I'm not sorry I read it, but I'm not going to rave about it and tell all my friends to read it.
neil_denham's review against another edition
2.0
I suspect I missed the humour and any point in this by not really knowing much, or caring much, about the Beatles and 60s music.
admacg's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this, think Barry did a fantastic job of putting himself in Lennons shoes. Loved the dialogue and I want to visit Clew bay.
opheliapo's review against another edition
3.0
There's nothing more frustrating than a book that could have been brilliant.
I liked a lot of the techniques he applied, and if the author had just dug a little deeper and peeled back humanity like it seemed he wanted to, I really could have seen this becoming a new favourite.
I liked a lot of the techniques he applied, and if the author had just dug a little deeper and peeled back humanity like it seemed he wanted to, I really could have seen this becoming a new favourite.
completebore's review against another edition
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5