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sjnastri's review against another edition
1.0
i assume a lot of us were brought here on a recommendation from lewis or tolkien.
but here's the thing-- while they saw that it was the first of its kind, they also knew it was a disaster. i used to be a "Never-Met-A-Book-I-Didn't-Like" kind of gal. this book has decimated that.
this book is poorly written, plotless, and cobbles together an incoherent philosophy of death, gender, and love.
dont read it. just dont.
but here's the thing-- while they saw that it was the first of its kind, they also knew it was a disaster. i used to be a "Never-Met-A-Book-I-Didn't-Like" kind of gal. this book has decimated that.
this book is poorly written, plotless, and cobbles together an incoherent philosophy of death, gender, and love.
dont read it. just dont.
bperl's review against another edition
4.0
This book took me about five months to finish. I read the last half in two days. The philosophical and allegorical journey portrayed here is fantastic and mysterious, if ultimately hopeless.
It'll take several more reads before I pick up on all the obscure references and nods. I've seen Voyage to Arcturus referenced as the "great underground novel of the 20th century", and a strong case could certainly be made for such a claim. Its influence can be seen in Lewis' Space Trilogy, for one strong example.
However, David Lindsay has the audacity to accuse God of parasitic behavior, leading to an unfulfilling and despairing conclusion. This is the only reason the book receives 4 stars instead of 5.
It'll take several more reads before I pick up on all the obscure references and nods. I've seen Voyage to Arcturus referenced as the "great underground novel of the 20th century", and a strong case could certainly be made for such a claim. Its influence can be seen in Lewis' Space Trilogy, for one strong example.
However, David Lindsay has the audacity to accuse God of parasitic behavior, leading to an unfulfilling and despairing conclusion. This is the only reason the book receives 4 stars instead of 5.
ksilvennoinen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
akwrunge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
cryingalot49's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
paintedpolarbear's review against another edition
totally cannot get past weird bioessentialism
outcolder's review against another edition
3.0
I get how British veterans of the metapsychic wars might seek wisdom here. I appreciate the unrelenting strangeness and unlike Tolkien, I dig the framing device. If you’re going to Tormance, be sure to gird your third eye with queer theory. I did not love it though. I think the philosophy behind it has a lot that is just Wrong and the opposite of helpful. I don’t think I would want to read it again, but I have to see the 1970s Antioch student movie version of it as soon as possible!
book_nerd_1's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars because I KNOW it was way over my head. Every page of this book was a struggle and I finished only out of stubbornness.
Still have no idea what it was about. Lots of philosophy about male and female, love and duty, pain and death; but it all comes at you so fast I really couldn't begin to understand it.
Still have no idea what it was about. Lots of philosophy about male and female, love and duty, pain and death; but it all comes at you so fast I really couldn't begin to understand it.
toniak's review against another edition
2.0
I can see how he was influenced by George MacDonald (an author I usually enjoy), but the plot was pretty boring as all books about religion and morality often are. The seance scene at the beginning tricked me into thinking this would be a more fun and exciting book than it is. It definitely feels like it's a product of it's age.
wylsonated's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25