My goodness. I can't for the life of me figure out what everyone thought was so great about this book. Along about page 160, I finally admitted that I had no idea what was going on. I couldn't follow who was narrating now and how they were connected...sometimes I truly didn't care about a particular narrator, mostly because the factoids given in such sections seemed to have no relevance whatsoever to the rest of the book.I know what you're wondering (if you haven't read it). And yes, it all did end up tying together in the end. But it was all much too clever and convoluted for me. Maybe if I read it a couple more times, I'd understand it. Too much work for pleasure reading, in my opinion. I still don't get it. But I'm moving on. This is me. Moving on.
9 comments:
I've been contemplating reading this one, so I appreciate the honesty and heads-up in your review. I may just give this one a pass.
I meant to comment earlier when I saw that this was the book you were reading----I never even finished it way back when I tried to read it! I wanted to like it and there were parts about it I DID like, but I was very confused and lost interest quite early on. I found I didn't even care how it turned out. Glad to know it all came together, but it was never worth reading the whole book to find that out. Thanks for doing it for us :)
This seems to be one of those love it or hate it books. I have it in my TBR collection waiting to be read because I'm curious about it. A couple of people whose reading tastes I value really liked it, but others I value just as much haven't. It will be interesting to see which side, if either, I fall into. I'm sorry you didn't find it to your liking.
Thank you, Lisa. I read this when everyone was raving about it and I couldn't figure it out either. I thought it was really quite boring. I'm so glad I'm not the only one.
I'm proud of you for moving on if you're not enjoying it! No sense wasting time when there are so many books you'll really love out there.
I wanted to like this book, after having heard the author read from it.
But put it down 1/3 of the way through.
Well, I love an honest review but I'm kind of horrified because this one has been on my wish list for ages. Hmmm. To keep on the list or not to? I guess I'll go ahead and give it a try, but I appreciate the warning!!!
I totally agree with you! I picked this book up because Nicole Krauss is dating Jonathon Safran Foer (who I love). I figured if she is dating such a fantastic writer she must also be a fantastic writer. That did not end up being the case...in my opinion, at least! I hate it when I just don't enjoy the book of the moment!
IF YOU ALL THINK THIS BOOK WAS CONFUSING, YOU SHOULD READ "DIVISADERO"-- I FINISHED BOTH AND THOUGHT "A HISTORY OF LOVE WAS FAR SUPERIOR". I DID THINK IT WAS LYRICAL AND POIGNANT.
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