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belovedsnail's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Bitter, difficult and brilliant in places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
ryanstinson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was an interesting, non-linear story but I kept waiting for something of importance to happen or for something that did happen to be elaborated on and made more important. I like Clevenger's writing, his level of detail, etc., but I was wanting more development of story areas throughout.
kcblythe's review against another edition
5.0
nice, real nice. math is cool, but still only if you can do it in your head, and instantaneously, and pretty much only if you use it for nefarious purposes. but, that's better than nothing, math (you bastard). Clevenger's writing is smooth, not a single sentence seems out of order or does anything to disrupt the rhythm. I'm on to his next book.
tori_storydelver's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay, the main character was annoying. This is the type of book I would have liked in my late teens/early twenties, but not so much now.
mcvaughn138's review against another edition
4.0
It had been about 10 years since I read this book and I'd been meaning to re-read it for awhile. Craig Clevenger's writing is crisp and powerful. His characters are full of depth and practicality jump off the page. I feel like Clevenger's one of the best modern writers out there, and The Contortionists Handbook is one well written and entertaining read.
kinea's review against another edition
5.0
En mann med 11 fingre som skifter identitet fortere enn du skifter sokker. Dyptgående og nøyaktige atferdsanalyser av han selv og andre (særlig de offentlige ansatte han møter) gjør det mulig.
Så annerledes enn alt annet jeg har lest på lenge. Så gjennomført. Så bra.
Så annerledes enn alt annet jeg har lest på lenge. Så gjennomført. Så bra.
deephi's review against another edition
5.0
A strange, yet powerful book, with a protagonist suffering a host of problems. Most notably that he has to exist in a netherworld of identities to avoid crooks, prison, or the psychiatric hospitals. He's an identity forger, and the details we get on his work are fascinating, and sound authentic. The world we are shown is brutal and frightening. Recalls Chuck Palahniuk's work in a very good way, so if you like any of that, you'll enjoy this. Kept my interest and didn't know how it would end, so was quite good.
persanguis's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic and riveting book.
1.) My version has a glowing recommendation from Chuck Palahniuk. The Handbook is similar Fight Club in some ways so I can see why the marketeers added that. But don't be discouraged if you don't like Palahniuk's other books.
2.) The main character is not a circus contortionist. He's a pre-Internet identity forger.
3.) Sometimes I felt like I was reading Johnny's part from House of Leaves. The Handbook would probably be called transgressive fiction.
1.) My version has a glowing recommendation from Chuck Palahniuk. The Handbook is similar Fight Club in some ways so I can see why the marketeers added that. But don't be discouraged if you don't like Palahniuk's other books.
2.) The main character is not a circus contortionist. He's a pre-Internet identity forger.
3.) Sometimes I felt like I was reading Johnny's part from House of Leaves. The Handbook would probably be called transgressive fiction.
jonjas's review against another edition
3.0
An author worth reading, his research and writing are masterful. Skillfully weaving facts and narrative together, the writing just flows beautifully. That said, the plot left me wanting a bit.. more. The story doesn't reach a climax, it just kind of accelerates slightly before putting on the brakes. I don't know, I felt like we're left hanging a little bit as the story didn't seem to conclude properly (if my memory serves me correctly).
Look elsewhere for summary, book worth rereading- it's possible the second time would be better.
Look elsewhere for summary, book worth rereading- it's possible the second time would be better.