The Luminaries in Reading the Chunksters

May 16, 2020 Greg rated it did not like it

Shelves: historical-fiction, reviewed, worst-of-the-worst, 2013, wtf, man-booker-winner

"The last section...is an act of bravado analepsis,* with chapters thinning out into mere pages..." says The Guardian's review. True, this is the BEST example of 'bravado analepsis'* I've ever read! 3 stars to the first 500 pages: tons of whoring, drugs, murder, treasure and more drugs! Question is, why did the author keep going? Too much free time? *No idea of this meaning. Unless it has to do with boring drugs and sex, 2 of my favorite things. ...more

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Apr 16, 2023 Lisa Who? rated it liked it

Excellent writing but dragging story. Its so well written that when I pick up the book, i’m drawn to keep reading and follow the piecing together with all the characters. The characters are all very interesting and with different depth, but non is really likeable. I felt i would be so drawn by this kind of story writing like piecing puzzles from different angles till it forms the full picture, but not really I just feel drawn out at the end; and happy that I’v finally finishes this long 951 page ...more

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Sep 09, 2015 Alana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery, man-booker-prize

I read this along with others who enjoy books over 500 pages, and I highly recommend that, because it's easier to keep track of the myriad of characters by discussing them with others. I was pretty thoroughly confused about all of the characters and the connections until well over halfway through the book, but it all began to sort itself out and became and incredibly detailed, cohesive story.

It reminded me very much of a Columbo-type story, wherein the identity of the murderer and at least part I read this along with others who enjoy books over 500 pages, and I highly recommend that, because it's easier to keep track of the myriad of characters by discussing them with others. I was pretty thoroughly confused about all of the characters and the connections until well over halfway through the book, but it all began to sort itself out and became and incredibly detailed, cohesive story.

It reminded me very much of a Columbo-type story, wherein the identity of the murderer and at least part of the method and motive for the murder is known from about 1/4 of the way through, but the fun is in watching the detective solve the case and coerce the confession.

Apparently, the some of the Man Booker judges claimed to have read the book two or three times in one year. After finishing, I can understand that better, because it circles back on itself and you almost have to go back to pick up the rest of the clues from the beginning. Definitely one for a re-read in the future!

There are a plethora of astrological references, but after trying to follow all of that in the beginning, I eventually just ignored most of it and didn't feel like I missed out on any story for not looking for all of the meanings. The signs do tie the characters together in a number of ways, but it's not necessary to deeply follow all of it to get the storyline. It is much like The Lord of the Rings: there are more layers to it if you WANT to go deeper, but you certainly don't need to in order to follow along with the main story.

I think it's going to be one of my few 5-star reads, I enjoyed it that much! Not a conventional story-telling method, but still, all of the pieces are there, and the whole puzzle is visible by the end. If you're not enjoying the story, I'd say it probably won't improve for you, and no need to press on with something you're not liking. But if you're struggling because the story and number of characters is confusing, I'd encourage you to press on, because it does all come together in the end. ...more

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Sep 14, 2015 Kaycie rated it liked it

Really struggling right now with what to rate this. In it's defense, I was pretty interested and read it very fast up through about 60% of the book. On the other hand, though, the story composition and set-up seemed extraordinarily lazy. I know that Catton was trying to make a story fit around astrology, but I don't know much about astrology and read the story for the story. In that regard, its really lacking and highly unbelieveable. 2.5 stars, maybe? I'll round to three since I was "hooked" fo ...more

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