trangun's review against another edition
4.0
every mccarthyism in one book, for better and for worse
chad_vinny's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.25
ethangrant's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
margardenlady's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thought provoking analysis of what it means to be human, and what it means to act ethically. Lots of disparate strands play along the path of this narrative. We follow Bobby Western and as an echo, his little sister Alice through shared components of their lives. I was seldom sure which characters were people and which were hallucinations in this, but it always made me consider.
raenyreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
This book just really wasn't for me. I read this for a book club and otherwise I never would have picked it up.
There's no resolution to anything and there is way too much focus on certain subjects for it to be for no reason *cough* the incest *cough*. I like character focused books but when I say this has almost zero plot, I mean it, which makes many of the conversations feel a bit random as they don't relate to much.
But I understand this author is well loved so I maybe it's just a preference thing.
There's no resolution to anything and there is way too much focus on certain subjects for it to be for no reason *cough* the incest *cough*. I like character focused books but when I say this has almost zero plot, I mean it, which makes many of the conversations feel a bit random as they don't relate to much.
But I understand this author is well loved so I maybe it's just a preference thing.
dcumberland's review against another edition
2.0
This was tough to get through. I have a deep respect for Cormac’s writings, but his divergence from signature style came at a weird time, with a lackluster execution. His first set of new novels in sixteen years, The Passenger feels unfocused and without any great consequence. The plot-driver set up in the first act never really causes our main character to act in ways that further his control of the story. Instead, this entire book consists of strange flashbacks, short vignettes of our main character carrying on meaningless conversations with side characters, and not really accomplishing anything of mention.
Nothing happening isn’t always a bad thing. Atmospheric stories have a vital place in literature. They can be tomes of self reflection or a catalyst for contemplation. However, The Passenger didn’t even accomplish that because there is very little to be gleaned below the surface. Unlike The Road, there’s little to think on once you close the pages.
I think the most disappointing part for me wasn’t even that the book was mediocre, but rather I was disappointed by how many devoted Cormac fans refuse to view this work objectively. Instead, Cormac has ascended to ‘do-no-wrong’ territory for them. Some have lauded it as his magnum opus, which is gravely incorrect.
I plan to finish this two-volume tale with Stella Maris, but I’m not keeping high expectations. We may have passed the golden era of Cormac works.
Nothing happening isn’t always a bad thing. Atmospheric stories have a vital place in literature. They can be tomes of self reflection or a catalyst for contemplation. However, The Passenger didn’t even accomplish that because there is very little to be gleaned below the surface. Unlike The Road, there’s little to think on once you close the pages.
I think the most disappointing part for me wasn’t even that the book was mediocre, but rather I was disappointed by how many devoted Cormac fans refuse to view this work objectively. Instead, Cormac has ascended to ‘do-no-wrong’ territory for them. Some have lauded it as his magnum opus, which is gravely incorrect.
I plan to finish this two-volume tale with Stella Maris, but I’m not keeping high expectations. We may have passed the golden era of Cormac works.
loupinnegar's review against another edition
Just can’t get through it. Fucking awful and don’t have a clue what’s going on.
Disappointed cos the premise is so interesting but I just can’t go any further nevermind finish for my reading group.
Usually don’t mind lack of speech marks but when it’s multiple characters having a conversation together it means I’m not getting any character development. I don’t even know about our main character because I don’t know what’s being said by him or a side character.
Disappointed cos the premise is so interesting but I just can’t go any further nevermind finish for my reading group.
Usually don’t mind lack of speech marks but when it’s multiple characters having a conversation together it means I’m not getting any character development. I don’t even know about our main character because I don’t know what’s being said by him or a side character.
dw_hanna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0