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dw_'s review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
stevienixit's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
2.0
This book is for anyone who ever wondered, “What if Lars Von Trier directed an adaptation of Wonder Boys?”
doughboyy's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kay_xoxo's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ola_wnka's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
3.0
We start with Mona who wakes up in a train station, wrecked with no memory of what happened to her (at least, we are not told). She drags herself home and then remembers that she has to attend a writer's conference in a small Swedish town. She has been nominated for an award. When she gets to Sweden she meets writer from all over the world and we get to see the awkwardness of writers who job is solitary. But something mysterious is going on in the private residence where the writers are housed, from dead animals to other traces of violence.
After so many tangents, I was quite tired of the book at this point (don't get me wrong, the writing was fantastic). There just seemed to be a lot of conversations, reflections and interactions that just felt out of place to me. From the hot tubs to the random discussion on social media problems; honestly I was exhausted reading this book.
Then we got to the final award ceremony, a Nordic writer who seemed to had gone missing begins some sort of ritual and becomes Poseidon or Ragnarok; or some sort and floods the whole place. Honestly, if my review seems all over the place that is because this book made me feel that way. It ended and I was happy. oh and by the way; watch out for sexual assault because we found out why she was passed out in a train station; lots of drugs also was consumed, so maybe the Ragnarok part was a drug haze but what do I know
I did like the authors knowledge of language and I believe this book is a good exploration of literature, culture, translation, writing and identity.
After so many tangents, I was quite tired of the book at this point (don't get me wrong, the writing was fantastic). There just seemed to be a lot of conversations, reflections and interactions that just felt out of place to me. From the hot tubs to the random discussion on social media problems; honestly I was exhausted reading this book.
Then we got to the final award ceremony, a Nordic writer who seemed to had gone missing begins some sort of ritual and becomes Poseidon or Ragnarok; or some sort and floods the whole place. Honestly, if my review seems all over the place that is because this book made me feel that way. It ended and I was happy. oh and by the way; watch out for sexual assault because we found out why she was passed out in a train station; lots of drugs also was consumed, so maybe the Ragnarok part was a drug haze but what do I know
I did like the authors knowledge of language and I believe this book is a good exploration of literature, culture, translation, writing and identity.
erikateneva's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
wendell's review against another edition
3.75
I liked it! Something about the prose just flowed really well for me and meeting all the fun little characters in the retreat. As a satire, I don't think it really says much about the world it's satirizing but it's still enjoyable enough.