Good enough. A bit childish, cliche and predictable, but it IS young-adult fantasy. If I'd been the right age when this came out, I probably would hav...moreGood enough. A bit childish, cliche and predictable, but it IS young-adult fantasy. If I'd been the right age when this came out, I probably would have loved it. As it is, its good, but not amazing to me.(less)
Just as good as you would imagine. This is the advice we should be giving to graduates, and everyone else. NOT that crap about day in day out you don'...moreJust as good as you would imagine. This is the advice we should be giving to graduates, and everyone else. NOT that crap about day in day out you don't know what real life is like yet, goldfish bowl message. :-D(less)
I read this book as a child, loved it, and promptly forgot about it, as children do. Then, about a week ago, I got a text message from my sister that...moreI read this book as a child, loved it, and promptly forgot about it, as children do. Then, about a week ago, I got a text message from my sister that was something along the lines of "Do you remember a book we read as kids that was something abouta girl named Hickory Dock? And there's a van gogh painting involved somehow?" And light begins to dawn... "Oh, that's right! And something about a potato?" After much google searching of "YA mystery hickory dock van gogh potato" I FOUND IT. And of course I had to reread it. And it was just as excellent as I remembered. Though, in fact, Van Gogh is never actually mentioned, but art is involved.(less)
This book was so fantastic. I really wasn't sure in what direction this author could possibly go in after The Gone Away World, that book was so unique...moreThis book was so fantastic. I really wasn't sure in what direction this author could possibly go in after The Gone Away World, that book was so unique and wonderful. And this book tops it. This book is EVEN BETTER. (less)
This series is really truly brilliantly well done. Chock full of historical references to literature and culture (Bryant and May were even mentioned!)...moreThis series is really truly brilliantly well done. Chock full of historical references to literature and culture (Bryant and May were even mentioned!), with compelling characters and intriguing plots. The books just keep getting better. The only problem I see is that at this rate, he's going to to run out of history... The first book began in the 1880s, but this one goes all the way up to 1968. What happens when we reach current day?(less)
The writing style was awkward in some places and the characters are predictable, but this was definitely an easy read. It keeps you going, I finished...moreThe writing style was awkward in some places and the characters are predictable, but this was definitely an easy read. It keeps you going, I finished it in one sitting and don't regret it.(less)
You have to be in the right mood for this book. Definitely funny, in a deadpan ironic witty sort of way. It's hard to identify with the main character...moreYou have to be in the right mood for this book. Definitely funny, in a deadpan ironic witty sort of way. It's hard to identify with the main character though, a rich and entitled man who murders four wives and tries to kill the fifth....(less)
I don't know how to feel about this book, and how it ended. The reader is left VERY unsatisfied, but, well, something about that unsatisfaction is sat...moreI don't know how to feel about this book, and how it ended. The reader is left VERY unsatisfied, but, well, something about that unsatisfaction is satisfying. I guess its just written so very well you can't help but like the ending, even as you're hating not knowing the answers to so many questions. I mean really. SO MANY QUESTIONS.
Also, it was rather more graphically violent than I normally like in a book. But the violence is used well, I guess. It's not just there to make the reader feel uncomfortable, its not just there to make a point. It's necessary to the story, it's not superfluous, so I can get over it.
It was difficult to identify with the main characters. One is a very insane, violent, crude man, and the other is a rather coldly logical girl who is still sort of an idiot, but at least knows when she's being idiotic.
And yet to balance all that out, it was definitely one of the most original stories I've ever read. Its not like anything else. And its engrossing, it draws you in, and you definitely need to know what happens, what makes it all make sense. Except you never find out. Damn author. :-P
Anyways, for those with a strong stomach, who don't feel uncomfortable with awkwardly graphic sex and violence, this book should be read. I can't recommend it to everyone because of that (a lot of people will hate it because of that), but if you can get beyond it, its such a fascinatingly weird and unique story. And the style is integral to the story. You couldn't have this story without the way it was written, you'd get something completely different, and something a lot less original. (less)
This is one of those books that was fantastic... when I was 13. I probably shouldn't have reread it as an adult, it looses a lot... Still an entertain...moreThis is one of those books that was fantastic... when I was 13. I probably shouldn't have reread it as an adult, it looses a lot... Still an entertaining way to waste a couple of hours.(less)
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