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The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)

Scott Lynch

Start date: March 21, 2017

Finish date: April 11, 2017

Discussion: Book Discussions

Discussion leader: Davy

Why we're reading this: Group contemporary Novel discussion March 2017
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What Members Thought

Jan 19, 2014 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: would-read-more-from-author, all-time-favourites

Oh wow. Last year I read The Rook and I loved everything about it - it became my favorite book of the year. This was written in 2006 so I am a bit late to the party, but I react to this the same way I did to The Rook. That blend of action, adventure, sarcastic wit and fantasy just works!

The story is told by using the present day plot and a series of flash backs and historical interludes. At first I really liked the way the flash backs were used to explain the world and the characters. Then I was ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Mar 07, 2021 Komal rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Update 4/6/21

Review was supposed to come much earlier than now. But such is life, is it not? To be honest, I have forgotten most of my specific thoughts on this book so I will express--shortly and sweetly--the 'after feeling' that has lingered with me and left a very abstract opinion of the book in my mind and memory.

Lies of Locke Lamorra starts off slow--much slower than most readers may anticipate. This is the reason why I actually dropped it the first time I tried to read it. Years later I tr Update 4/6/21

Review was supposed to come much earlier than now. But such is life, is it not? To be honest, I have forgotten most of my specific thoughts on this book so I will express--shortly and sweetly--the 'after feeling' that has lingered with me and left a very abstract opinion of the book in my mind and memory.

Lies of Locke Lamorra starts off slow--much slower than most readers may anticipate. This is the reason why I actually dropped it the first time I tried to read it. Years later I tried again and, like an adult, I grinded my teeth and waded through the first quarter.

My experience with the first quarter of this book was, shockingly, not shared by most of my friends or other readers whom I know. This also left me feeling a little unintelligent because Locke Lamorra has been written in a very unique, very enriching and dramatic style. I found it hard to read it fast. I had to read it slowly and sometimes double back to reread the long metaphors and other figures of speech which Lynch appears to be so fond of. I think I just needed to get used to the writing style.

And yes. That was exactly it. Because once I walked past the first quarter, the rest of the book became, very suddenly, interesting and action-packed. Things made sense. My reading speed increased. And I finally managed to settle down in the fictional town of Camorra.

I think I underwent a cultural shock with this book.

I will skip to talking about the end now. Beginnings and endings, I think, are always the most important parts of a book (or a movie, or a videogame). The ending of Locke Lamorra was satisfying. The entire journey I undertook with the book led to a nice little oasis. It was, literally, a good read.

Good reads deserve a 3 or a 4 star. For Locke Lamorra, I will give it a 3. Simply because I was not motivated enough by the first book to start the second one. It is there in my mind to continue the series, but if you look into my mind and see what else is there for me to continue, you would understand why I feel dejectedly about my ambition to continue this series.

Maybe if someone repeatedly requests me to give it another try, I will.

Conclusion: 3 stars
Everyone I know loved this book. I had to pick it up twice to finish it and I think it was just okay. I also think it is worth a read for the general fantasy reader. If for nothing, for the writing style. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 03, 2020 Tanya (Novel Paperbacks) rated it liked it

I can see why people like this book. The second half is truly brilliant. So action packed and emotional and intense. So many twist and turns. It’s definitely a page turner. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for the first half of the book. Whilst interesting at first, it is too much dry description and not enough plot and characters. And the character stuff that is there was delivered in such a dry, unattached way that I struggled to really care about what happened. About 40% of the way thr ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 22, 2012 Komal marked it as prioritized-to-read

The literature was heavenly. Perhaps too heavenly. I picked it up during the wrong mood - it took too much effort to wrap my head around the events and run the cogs of my imagination, but I could tell it was sinisterly interesting.
Definitely need to pick it up again.
When the right time comes.

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2015 Text Mess rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-books, owned-books-hardcover, owned-books-firstedition, owned-books-autographed, y-fic-fantasy

Quite honestly, every complaint I've seen about this book has been valid. I had to sort of force my way through the beginning via audiobook to finally make some progress on this book past the first 50 pages. I've owned this books for years and I would read the first dozens of pages and give up and re-read and give up again. Audiobook format is my favorite way to plough through books that are not easy reads.

I don't want to imply the book was incredibly bad -- I've read incredibly bad books and ev ...more

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Sep 22, 2015 Charles rated it liked it

this was a good book. nice buildup, good background on the people and where they come from, not too much magic. my main problem was that the climax was too short. like we wait all that time for the buildup and stuff and was a little disappointed with how easily it was resolved.

i will say that i had two main problems with the book. first, in comparison to other books I've enjoyed, it's hard to really cheer for a liar and a thief. kinda feel like he deserves to be punished, so I'm kinda moot to ei ...more

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