reviews
Sep 25, 2009
Laura
rated it: 
If this had been a novella, sitting somewhere around 30,000 words, it would have been a perfect thing. Some beautiful prose, evocative descriptions, intriguing bits of mysticism and harrowing glimpses of a future life as a slave are the strong points here. The negative would be that I cared not a jot for any character, that there were words, passages and chapters throughout that did nothing for the story, and that repetition of thoughts and narrative were overused.
This has taken me More...
This has taken me More...
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May 24, 2011
Adepeju
rated it: 
I was on a journey with the beautiful Prince and the awkwardly lovely maiden and watched as they come to realization of their love and what it could conquer. But underlining all these are serious issues and bravery. Okri has been able to use language with such poetic essence that I was spell bound and dreamed dreams even with his characters. To understand this book is to share a common experience or to know your history well. Howbeit, there were to loud cry as regarding any issue and you just h
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Feb 16, 2008
Nathaniel
rated it: 
At a few points, for maybe thirty or forty pages at a time, Okri's narrative gathers speed and escapes his overdone myth-making and oracular wisdom in favor of genuine story-telling. These reprieves, in concert with my high regard for Ben Okri, are the only reason I was willing to consume the repetitive lessons that constitute this predictable "legend."
I recognize that my criticisms of this book only prove that I have not fully absorbed the ideals that it was composed to el More...
I recognize that my criticisms of this book only prove that I have not fully absorbed the ideals that it was composed to el More...
Dec 26, 2007
David
rated it: 
I didn't like this book at all. I don't like to write scathingly negative reviews--hey, every author is trying something different, right? So I try to have respect for that. But I can't muster any repect for this at all.
Okri uses a faux-fable style to tell the story of a prince and a maiden, who live in a magic kingdom, and fight spirits and have dreams and face portents of all sorts. It's eye-glazingly dull, in part because his style necessitates endless lists; at one point he lists More...
Okri uses a faux-fable style to tell the story of a prince and a maiden, who live in a magic kingdom, and fight spirits and have dreams and face portents of all sorts. It's eye-glazingly dull, in part because his style necessitates endless lists; at one point he lists More...
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Oct 10, 2010
Miss Vex
rated it:
This book is a work of art.
I truly feel sorry for the people who feel the need to belittle this artistry simply because they were too impatient or unable to understand.
This is not the kind of book you read in one go, this is not even the kind of book you truly and fully understand after reading it the first time, this is the kind of book that provides you with so many opportunities to ponder about life that you will need a lengthy time to finish it. I have filled an entire moleski More...
I truly feel sorry for the people who feel the need to belittle this artistry simply because they were too impatient or unable to understand.
This is not the kind of book you read in one go, this is not even the kind of book you truly and fully understand after reading it the first time, this is the kind of book that provides you with so many opportunities to ponder about life that you will need a lengthy time to finish it. I have filled an entire moleski More...
May 27, 2011
Halik
rated it:
Here's a few hours i'd like back. Picked this up looking for some surreal fantasy but what i got was some meaningless abstraction trying to dress up what is essentially a simple core. Completely put me off picking anything up by Okri again. And reminded me once again the risk associated with reading fantasy and surreal fiction. There is always a thin indistinct line between utterly awesome and bitterly incorrigible.
Oct 01, 2010
Debbie
rated it:
Very dull and tedius, the sort of book that you get to the bottom of the page without a clue what youve just read. I gave up at page 65, then felt guilty as it was a reading group choice and skimmed through the rest. Set in a unspecified mythical period where the king laughs in a knowing way, the prince sees the future in his dreams whilst seriously ill from a glimse at his true love, the maiden sees the prince in her dreams and ponders lifes mysteries and the elders and tribe plot and argue. W
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Jul 31, 2011
Katie
rated it:
As with many reviews here I was attracted to this story because the blurb sounded interesting. The blurb gave the impression I was about to read a phenomenal story set in a fascinating mythical land. However what I got was very different. There is very little plot to this story the book is filled with repetition and imagery. While the imagery is at times beautiful it is just not enough to carry the reader through the story. It had such promise but unfortunately it really did not deliver.
Aug 02, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
I liked the idea of this book, magical land and fairytale story but sadly the writing style frustrated me. Okri has a beautiful poetic way with words but I became very impatient, as it made it very difficult to follow the plot. Although with hindsight, maybe this was because there wasn't an actual plot... oh dear
Aug 04, 2011
Helen
rated it: 
Love Okri's writing style and this book was a lovely read. Only quibble is that, particularly earlier in the book, it feels a little repetitive, like we're being told the same thing but in several different ways. I can forgive the book this though!
Dec 08, 2008
Kate
rated it:
Lyrical and beautiful but very, v e r y slow. Characters are 'unreal' but therefore not real. There is a great conceit of a hinted terible future which is very clever.
Feb 05, 2010
Sydney
rated it:
I like Ben Okri, really enjoyed The Famished Road. Was rather disappointed by his later books but Starbook is a delight. He is back on form with this one. But as is typical of him it should be about half as long as it is. The man does go on just that little bit too much. But in the end I can't help but love the book anyway. Also I just skipped some bits that were ridiculously repetitive. Like myths and fables the stories are rich with enchantment and meaning.
from the book
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from the book
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Mar 26, 2011
Jen
rated it:
This should have been a short story, because it was an incredibly boring novel. Possibly the most boring novel that I have ever read.
Aug 06, 2011
SanjeeB
rated it:
Just couldn't get into it. Too long, too detailed - just plain boring. Perhaps later, I may give it another go.
Nov 21, 2011
Huw
rated it:
Twenty years after doggedly ploughing my way through The Famished Road, I came across this work in our local library. "I must give Ben Okri another try, it can't be as bad as I remembered", I thought to myself, thought I. It was, every bit as bad as I recalled. It was so bad I was grateful that I had to return it, unfinished, and I have no plans to get it out again.
Dec 27, 2010
Corvinus
rated it:
I struggled to finish this book before the year ran out. Okri has beautiful language granted; but he can be a little verbose. There are passages that are so beautiful that they made me cry. The story was a little out there (magical kingdoms and tribes). For lovers of language and musical language then Okri is a must-read.
Nov 14, 2011
Aimee
rated it:
Very beautiful. Long and slow. Starbook doesn't try to be 'The Famished Road', and so I guess it doesn't fail. Part moot Siddhartha story and larger part an abstracted, poetic art manifesto? Although every part of it was a pleasure to read, as Okri always will be, ultimately he has said very little with quite a lot.
May 29, 2008
Katie
rated it:
more than half way through the book and have highlighted and folded down more pages than any other book i have read in the past year. i guess that means i love it. Themes of transformation (self & societal), death, love, and learning really speak to me as i find my own way. more when i am finished...
Feb 27, 2010
Katherine
rated it:
I have yet to finish this book in part because of school-related reading I have to do, but I'm enjoying it so far. It does have a tendency to get caught up in itself and the mythical tone Okri uses. It hits you over the head with the fable storytelling and is very slow going.
Dec 02, 2010
Anamika
rated it:
Loved the magical and poetic quality of the prose. Struggled to get through it (it could have been shorter)and at the same time couldn't put it down.
Oct 05, 2007
mi-chan
rated it:
i haven't finished reading yet, so, i'll tell after i'm finished with it
but one things for sure: it's a fun book to read!
but one things for sure: it's a fun book to read!
Jan 31, 2010
Aretha
rated it:
Took me a while to read this one but as always written in a beautiful and poetic style. I really enjoyed it.
