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swampfaye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
msprufrock's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third book by Vonnegut that I've read (fourth if you count Man Without a Country), and it seems like every book I read by him makes me want to read more of his work.
I don't know that I can accurately describe what makes this so interesting (just like Rabo Karebekian can't or won't describe for most of the novel what he's keeping in the padlocked potato barn), but I know that I didn't want to put it down. I could feel that the plot was slowly, subtly, taking us to a specific destination and the last few chapters provides a catharsis for reader and narrator alike, though not in a way that I expected.
For anyone interested in the arts, or critical of them and their place-- or really anyone who likes a novel that will lurk around your brain days after you finish reading it, I highly recommend Bluebeard.
I don't know that I can accurately describe what makes this so interesting (just like Rabo Karebekian can't or won't describe for most of the novel what he's keeping in the padlocked potato barn), but I know that I didn't want to put it down. I could feel that the plot was slowly, subtly, taking us to a specific destination and the last few chapters provides a catharsis for reader and narrator alike, though not in a way that I expected.
For anyone interested in the arts, or critical of them and their place-- or really anyone who likes a novel that will lurk around your brain days after you finish reading it, I highly recommend Bluebeard.
gardnerhere's review against another edition
5.0
I always had a soft spot for this novel. I returned to it after 30ish years away and remembered why. It's Vonnegut dialed down but perfectly on pitch. Our lovably embittered narrator is a disillusioned abstract expressionist with a complicated war history and a coterie of very human weirdos in his orbit. It's also a low-key mystery as he's working on a large scale final piece in the potato barn of his Long Island home. It's hidden away like a duchess--none puts by the curtain in the potato barn but he--and the novel lands exquisitely with its revelation. These many years later, I remembered the reveal and little else. I'm chuffed to find all the other details of the novel so bang on.
sociotom's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable read. Didn't feel as moving as Slaughterhouse 5, but Vonnegut got the part of an old guy down pretty pat. Worth a read.
decaffinated's review against another edition
5.0
"You were no good as a commercial artist, and you were no good as a serious artist, and you were no good as a husband or a father, and your great collection of paintings is an accident. But you keep coming back to one thing you're proud of: you could really draw."
One of the most endearing, hilarious, and heartbreakingly sincere books I've ever read.
One of the most endearing, hilarious, and heartbreakingly sincere books I've ever read.
alyhowell's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
brendanlarson's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.5
my8s's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
avaughn4's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, it was so great the classic old artist but told so much better. Vonnegut writes so well. read this book if you create any art I think you'll love it. honestly it's 5 star rating I'm changing it from a 4 to a five.
lisasolomon's review against another edition
4.0
IT"S VONNEGUT - what's not to like?? of course it's funny. of course it's also simultaneously deep. that's always a winning combo in my book.
granted i'm partial to the subject matter here- abstract expressionism and new york as the backdrop for a fake memoir? YES. in the end bluebeard is about love, loss, finding your artistic voice and passion... all things that flutter around the recesses of my brain on basically a daily basis. and real or not, the rise, fall, and development of rabo as an artist/human is definitely worth a look.
granted i'm partial to the subject matter here- abstract expressionism and new york as the backdrop for a fake memoir? YES. in the end bluebeard is about love, loss, finding your artistic voice and passion... all things that flutter around the recesses of my brain on basically a daily basis. and real or not, the rise, fall, and development of rabo as an artist/human is definitely worth a look.