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Review Date: 12/21/2008
Helpful Score: 3
With a recommendation on the cover by Neil Gaiman and a comparison of a Futurama plot written by Terry Pratchett, this book comes highly recommended.
I must say, I was disappointed. It was readable, but very difficult. This book reads like a stream of consciousness writing from the author. No one is very solid, there is no development and the plot jumps all over the place.
There are one or two bizarre twists in the series. Not interesting ones or fun ones, just twists for the sake of having them.
I read this book almost the entire time with high hopes, praying that perhaps the ending would redeem the first 200+ pages. I was unfortunately not that fortunate.
I must say, I was disappointed. It was readable, but very difficult. This book reads like a stream of consciousness writing from the author. No one is very solid, there is no development and the plot jumps all over the place.
There are one or two bizarre twists in the series. Not interesting ones or fun ones, just twists for the sake of having them.
I read this book almost the entire time with high hopes, praying that perhaps the ending would redeem the first 200+ pages. I was unfortunately not that fortunate.
Review Date: 7/9/2008
This book sounded like it had potential from the blurb. I was sorely disappointed. The characters were underdeveloped and incredibly one dimensional. There was a lot of potential to build on certain plot points, but each route Koontz took the easy way out with his conviniently written characters. The ending...well I won't spoil it for you, but let me assure you there is NOTHING to spoil. That's right. The book ends with absolutely no closure. The protagonist (of the chapter, it jumps to so many different characters) doesn't figure out what the hell happened, the mother doesn't find out about a revenge plot and NOTHING was resolved. I read the afterword hoping there was a secret page somewhere that went "psych! Here's the real ending! Thanks for playing along!" I was really upset I wasted my time on this book.
The only positive thing I can say about this book is that at least it was a quick read. I had problems forcing myself to read it simply for its absurdity, but once you are reading, the pages turn quickly.
So yes. Koontz has written some good books. This is not one of them. I recommend reading something like Life Expectancy or The Servants of Twilight if you want to read something silly and unlikely, but at least well written and thought out.
The only positive thing I can say about this book is that at least it was a quick read. I had problems forcing myself to read it simply for its absurdity, but once you are reading, the pages turn quickly.
So yes. Koontz has written some good books. This is not one of them. I recommend reading something like Life Expectancy or The Servants of Twilight if you want to read something silly and unlikely, but at least well written and thought out.
Review Date: 3/22/2009
Helpful Score: 4
I have to say, I was very disappointed with this book. I am a giant fan of Jon Stewart's comedy, both on the Daily Show and his standup and writings. When I discovered there was a book of his I didn't already own, I immediately ordered it from this website.
Sadly, it doesn't hold up to his levels of humor. There were one or two clever essays (Spring Break with the Kennedy's and the high school reunion spring to mind) which were brilliant, but sadly the rest were rather lackluster and lacking in humor. It's feels what would happen if Jon Stewart's comedy were watered down to a Family Guy level with very one dimensional "trying too hard" jokes.
Sadly, it doesn't hold up to his levels of humor. There were one or two clever essays (Spring Break with the Kennedy's and the high school reunion spring to mind) which were brilliant, but sadly the rest were rather lackluster and lacking in humor. It's feels what would happen if Jon Stewart's comedy were watered down to a Family Guy level with very one dimensional "trying too hard" jokes.
Review Date: 12/21/2008
Helpful Score: 2
I love this book. I have read it multiple times (I just finished reading it again this morning). It flows well with intense and well written characters. It is heart wrenching, beautiful, intense and an incredible story.
With that said, I have some minor problems with the story that intensify as the book continues. This is the ultimate "mary-sue" story. A Mary Sue is a term in fanfiction for a story that the writer writes about themselves as the heroine. Audrey Niffenegger is a fiery redhead, and an avid reader who works in paper arts and lives in Chicago. The main character Clare is a fiery redhead who loves to read, works in paper arts and lives in Chicago. There is a fine line between writing what you know and writing yourself into a fantasy universe. I love to lose myself in a story, but when the writer writes a story seemingly for only herself, it is hard to become completely enveloped.
A few other qualms. First of all, every copy of this book I have read comes with questions at the end of it for thought. Had I read a teacher's copy and another one didn't include that, this wouldn't be an issue. However I believe Niffenegger wrote these questions herself. Some of them are absurd and way too full of themselves. She penned a fantastic book, but I think it got to her head.
Secondly, there were a lot of holes. For example, Henry thinks on one page about how Clare's friend said something odd to him at the wedding. What she said was never revealed. Generally, Niffenegger was very good about eventually filling in the full story, entire conversations, etc. However there were numerous events which contradicted themselves and a handful of unanswered questions which though minor, were worthy of mention.
Finally, the major one that people who aren't nitpicking will notice is this book's intensity. Everyone loves SO intently. A widower loves his wife and loses his life to her for 30+ years after her death. Clare sits and pines away for her dead husband 50 years, waiting for the promised single moment she gets to see him again. An ex-girlfriend who wasn't that close to begin with (the book says it was a relationship where they both loved to torment the other) intensely loves the protagonist enough to kill herself. There is a time for grieving, then people move on. The characters in this book can't seem to get past the grieving stage.
Despite me airing my grievances with this novel, I highly recommend it. My qualms begin in the final quarter of the book. By that point, you're already too sucked in to put it down.
With that said, I have some minor problems with the story that intensify as the book continues. This is the ultimate "mary-sue" story. A Mary Sue is a term in fanfiction for a story that the writer writes about themselves as the heroine. Audrey Niffenegger is a fiery redhead, and an avid reader who works in paper arts and lives in Chicago. The main character Clare is a fiery redhead who loves to read, works in paper arts and lives in Chicago. There is a fine line between writing what you know and writing yourself into a fantasy universe. I love to lose myself in a story, but when the writer writes a story seemingly for only herself, it is hard to become completely enveloped.
A few other qualms. First of all, every copy of this book I have read comes with questions at the end of it for thought. Had I read a teacher's copy and another one didn't include that, this wouldn't be an issue. However I believe Niffenegger wrote these questions herself. Some of them are absurd and way too full of themselves. She penned a fantastic book, but I think it got to her head.
Secondly, there were a lot of holes. For example, Henry thinks on one page about how Clare's friend said something odd to him at the wedding. What she said was never revealed. Generally, Niffenegger was very good about eventually filling in the full story, entire conversations, etc. However there were numerous events which contradicted themselves and a handful of unanswered questions which though minor, were worthy of mention.
Finally, the major one that people who aren't nitpicking will notice is this book's intensity. Everyone loves SO intently. A widower loves his wife and loses his life to her for 30+ years after her death. Clare sits and pines away for her dead husband 50 years, waiting for the promised single moment she gets to see him again. An ex-girlfriend who wasn't that close to begin with (the book says it was a relationship where they both loved to torment the other) intensely loves the protagonist enough to kill herself. There is a time for grieving, then people move on. The characters in this book can't seem to get past the grieving stage.
Despite me airing my grievances with this novel, I highly recommend it. My qualms begin in the final quarter of the book. By that point, you're already too sucked in to put it down.
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