A little disappointed with the heavy handed allegory (which I usually love). I haven't read the second half yet, so perhaps he addresses this, but the...moreA little disappointed with the heavy handed allegory (which I usually love). I haven't read the second half yet, so perhaps he addresses this, but the author sets it up: there is no government to regulate the "global free market" and therefore, witness: the horrors! Soooooo.......why is shit so screwed up today if we DO have governments "regulating" this "global free market"? The allegory breaks down there. Unless the argument is (and again, I haven't yet finished this slender volume) things AREN'T messed up today because of the government. Hah! He'll have a hard time getting that one past me...
Enjoyed for the pure ridiculousness, this is an entertaining distraction.\
Update: Yeah...soo....too much good stuff to read to finish this one...(less)
"David" said this book reads more like short stories, and I would have to agree. Perhaps it was reading in translation, but it just didn't have the fl...more"David" said this book reads more like short stories, and I would have to agree. Perhaps it was reading in translation, but it just didn't have the flow I expected. Or perhaps I heard too much hype before I got around to it. I had trouble getting to the end because the focus seemed to be on chaos rather than cohesion. Perhaps if I new more about Russian history and culture of the time period I would enjoy it more--from what I've read and heard, this seems to be its forte.
An afterthought: I really enjoyed the subplot of Pontius Pilate.(less)
While Smith is undeniably a good writer, and this book held me to the finish (perhaps this was due to a lack of alternatives...I'm notorious for dropp...moreWhile Smith is undeniably a good writer, and this book held me to the finish (perhaps this was due to a lack of alternatives...I'm notorious for dropping stuff that bores me), it just felt too forced. I'm not going to get carried along with all the hype about her. Read this if you're stuck on a beach and your other options are Crichton, Danielle Steele, and USAToday.(less)
The best part is when the boat leaps into the air, and is represented by a couple blank pages. Everywhere else there was so much damn writing I had to...moreThe best part is when the boat leaps into the air, and is represented by a couple blank pages. Everywhere else there was so much damn writing I had to slog through, it was a welcome relief. If only the whole book were blank...(less)