Almost four and a half stars. I first read this several years ago, and remember being vaguely confused and perhaps a little disappointed by it. But on a second read, it really is very good. I particularly enjoy the tie to magical parts of her other books; in particular the consequences for acolytes of great magicians.
Reviews and Comments
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ibk rated A Visit From the Goon Squad: 3 stars
A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Jennifer Egan's spellbinding interlocking narratives circle the lives of Bennie Salazar, an aging former punk rocker and record executive, and …
ibk rated Hello Friend We Missed You: 4 stars
ibk reviewed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
ibk reviewed Grey Nomad by Alison Ferguson
Ok
3 stars
I wasn’t expecting much, and my expectations were met. The story is ok, the setting is ok, the characters are ok, the writing is ok. But none are more than ok. I found the intergalactic politics confusing and rather boring, but I know there are those who like that sort of thing. I was confused by the setting: notionally a decade into the future, but somehow the character of Joyce is from a decade (or more) in the past. The paucity of mentions of social media is baffling, especially at the denouement. The knitting motif is a bit hit and miss: sometimes it is the core of Joyce’s being, but then we’ll go for chapters with no mention. It could have been used more. It’s probably only 2 and a half stars really.
ibk reviewed 2061: Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke
Ok
3 stars
I wasn’t expecting much from this, having been badly burned by reading one of the other “great ideas” authors in the form of Isaac Asimov (he may have had some great ideas, but his writing is third-rate and his characters are poorly drawn…) So I was pleasantly surprised by how easy Clarke is to read (as long as you can get over the inbuilt sexism and colonialism, and the curious devotion to Great Men of Science and Business). But not much happened, really. Short version: there is other life in the solar system, and the Monoliths are full of woo. Most of the book seemed to be setting up for a climax that never really arrived. Probably of interest to Odyssey completists, but there are better books out there.
ibk reviewed 2061: Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke
Ok
3 stars
I wasn’t expecting much from this, having been badly burned by reading one of the other “great ideas” authors in the form of Isaac Asimov (he may have had some great ideas, but his writing is third-rate and his characters are poorly drawn…) So I was pleasantly surprised by how easy Clarke is to read (as long as you can get over the inbuilt sexism and colonialism, and the curious devotion to Great Men of Science and Business). But not much happened, really. Short version: there is other life in the solar system, and the Monoliths are full of woo. Most of the book seemed to be setting up for a climax that never really arrived. Probably of interest to Odyssey completists, but there are better books out there.
ibk reviewed Limberlost by Robbie Arnott
Evocative of Tasmania and the 20th century
3 stars
Content warning Minor plot points and minor theme mentioned
Probably more 3.5 stars - I’d certainly try one of his other books. Starts very well, with writing and images wonderfully evocative of the mid-20th century Tasmanian setting. Loses its way a few times, which was annoying: its not as if the author is struggling to keep things moving the whole time and the writing is generally not excellent. Perhaps I get a bit too picky, but in detailed realist writing I sort of want the details to be realistic. But that’s not how you would make a rudder (grain direction wrong), and you would not use shellac on a boat (not waterproof). Which makes me doubt most of the details of sailing. Although uncertain memory is a theme, this isn’t Illywhacker so I’m not quite sure why the research is awry. Also a few weird moments, such as learning about quoll habitat from one of his mother’s books (a character detail for the mother that is not otherwise explored or even hinted at, and when there was a perfectly formed vet character who could have given this information).
ibk reviewed Our man in Havana by Graham Greene
Great writing
4 stars
One of those books that makes you realise that great authors are considered great for a reason. A fairly simple comedy - perhaps it was more unusual when first published - but still full of good ideas, characters and action. I only felt it had lost its way once or twice, which is so much better than many books.
ibk reviewed The Tournament by John Clarke
Wow
4 stars
A very strange trip through the 20th Century and its intellectuals. I admit to not knowing details of most of the players, but those whose stories and contributions I did know are captured perfectly. Possibly a bit too much tennis for me…
ibk reviewed The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman (The Invisible Library)
Not great
2 stars
Some ideas here, but in dire need of better editing. Too many meanderings, too much poor phrasing, too many stereotypes. The last chapter does nothing but set up for a sequel. Sigh. I finished it only because I fell for the Sunk Cost Fallacy (and I hoped it would get better).
ibk finished reading The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman (The Invisible Library)
ibk stopped reading The stainless steel rat by Harry Harrison
ibk reviewed Theatre of the Gods by M. Suddain
A wild ride, possibly in want of a little thinning down
3 stars
An action-and-idea-packed book, which certainly kept me reading. Probably a few too many ideas, to be honest: some of them could have done with a little more development. I would have given it 4 stars (which to me means "would recommend"), but had to deduct a bit. A very solid 3. Not as strong as Suddain's later book.
ibk reviewed Jokes for the Gunmen by Mazen Maarouf
Worth reading this different voice and setting
4 stars
Short stories full of the non sequiturs one gets in dreams, set against a backdrop of terrible war. Normally I don’t like “dream sequence that reveals a deeper meaning”, but here it works. A genuinely different voice and setting. We’ll worth a read