I added this book to the top of my to-read list because it seemed like every other book-reading friend of mine had read it. I had no idea what it wasI added this book to the top of my to-read list because it seemed like every other book-reading friend of mine had read it. I had no idea what it was about other than an astronaut stranded on Mars.
I really didn't like the log entry format of the book, and I didn't like the main character's personality. I thought the entire book was going to be this way. Then Mark started growing on me, and then the format of the book completely changed.
Then I realized that I just couldn't put this book down. I love the different narrative styles, and the different feelings that were evoked throughout the course of the story. I can see how this will make a pretty good movie, although it'll probably miss a lot of the charm. Highly recommended, even (maybe even especially) for readers who "don't normally read science fiction."...more
Better-written and more engaging than A Hologram for the King; I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The premise and the events in the latter third of theBetter-written and more engaging than A Hologram for the King; I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The premise and the events in the latter third of the book are questionable and strange, but maybe that's just because Eggers takes us from a familiar world inundated with technology to a weird dystopia without a discernible leap. It's not that it's far-fetched that someone could have and try to implement these ideas, but someone or something more shadowy would pay big money to stop them upon conception. There are a few great thought experiments here, too. Recommended. ...more
I went into this with a recommendation and little else; I had no idea what I was getting into. What started as a kind of Renaissance-era con tale tookI went into this with a recommendation and little else; I had no idea what I was getting into. What started as a kind of Renaissance-era con tale took a twist midway through and turned into something even more, with more than just a hint of magic and fantasy. Props to being the first in a series that doesn't end on a total cliffhanger, but now that I know there are two more, I want to read them immediately....more
A great, engaging detective novel. I admit that I really only picked this up because I know that Robert Galbraith is JK Rowling's pseudonym, but theA great, engaging detective novel. I admit that I really only picked this up because I know that Robert Galbraith is JK Rowling's pseudonym, but the writing would stand even without a famous name behind it. One of my favorite characteristics of the book is that you get to witness Strike figure things out without actually being told what he knows! It's part of what makes the book great to the very end....more
Short but not-so-sweet. Interest in the trailer for The Edge of Tomorrow made me pick this one up, but I can already see that the film will be quiteShort but not-so-sweet. Interest in the trailer for The Edge of Tomorrow made me pick this one up, but I can already see that the film will be quite different. Whether that's a positive thing remains to be seen, but the book was very entertaining.
A lot of people compare the novel to Groundhog Day, which is only fair in that there is a time loop, but the similarities end there. War rages against strange aquatic aliens that evolve to beat everything humanity can throw against them.
Quirky (or maybe just very Japanese), intense, violent, and entertaining....more
I had seen that a few people thought this novel suffered from a sophomore slump, but I couldn't disagree more. It wouldn't have been a great novel ifI had seen that a few people thought this novel suffered from a sophomore slump, but I couldn't disagree more. It wouldn't have been a great novel if it was the exact same story, setting, and characters as the first. About a third of the way through, the novel takes an unexpected turn and only gets better from there. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger (and so I started the third book immediately.) Red Seas is less baroque, less wish-fulfillment, and better written than the first. I'm glad Locke Lamora is set to appear in quite a few more novels. ...more
The second part of the Henry VIII story from an uncommon point of view was much easier to digest and follow than the first. Perhaps it was because IThe second part of the Henry VIII story from an uncommon point of view was much easier to digest and follow than the first. Perhaps it was because I already knew all or most of the characters or because I had become more familiar with some of the history of this story, but whatever it was, it took me much less time to complete. There's so much left to cover in the four years Cromwell has left, and I absolutely cannot wait to see how the foreshadowing of his fall we see in Bring Up The Bodies gets fleshed out in the next volume....more
Well-written, and the over-arching story moved forward, finally, but I think it fell a bit flat at times.
I get that we needed a flashback to learn howWell-written, and the over-arching story moved forward, finally, but I think it fell a bit flat at times.
I get that we needed a flashback to learn how Locke and Sabetha came to know and love one another, but that whole bit just didn't work for me like the flashbacks in the first one did. It didn't ever go anywhere, and it was extremely predictable.
I definitely am looking forward to the next part of the story. I have a feeling that there will be some recurring characters in the next book or two....more
Not nearly as bleak as the other McCarthy novels I've read, but still pretty sparse. I read this (well) after seeing the film, and it's amazing howNot nearly as bleak as the other McCarthy novels I've read, but still pretty sparse. I read this (well) after seeing the film, and it's amazing how close to the source material the film stayed.
What starts out as a confusing, violent, and somewhat simple story about a drug deal gone wrong turns into something bigger, deeper, and more complex, and ultimately becomes a story of morality and regret. It's not a happy novel, but it's a great one. ...more
The familiar Henry VIII story, told from another side. Thomas Cromwell is painted in a decidedly different light.
This took me forever to read, andThe familiar Henry VIII story, told from another side. Thomas Cromwell is painted in a decidedly different light.
This took me forever to read, and not only because I'm a slow reader. Mantel writes in a particular style; for example, she often uses the pronoun "he" to refer to Cromwell without any further identification.
Still, this book was fantastic, riveting, and well-written. I can't wait to read the sequels....more
Probably my favorite so far, even over A Storm of Swords, which a lot of people think is the best. The story has grown so large, and the charactersProbably my favorite so far, even over A Storm of Swords, which a lot of people think is the best. The story has grown so large, and the characters are growing and facing incredible situations and decisions. I can't wait to see where the books go next and how the show interprets the two and half books it has left to cover....more
Insightful, inspiring, hilarious, and so profoundly sad.
It's also worth noting that this will help anyone who has started or struggled throughInsightful, inspiring, hilarious, and so profoundly sad.
It's also worth noting that this will help anyone who has started or struggled through Infinite Jest. To see Wallace's thoughts behind the process and the structure is eye-opening. ...more
More great detective writing. I think I liked this one as much or better than the first. I hope Rowling continues to write under the Robert GalbraithMore great detective writing. I think I liked this one as much or better than the first. I hope Rowling continues to write under the Robert Galbraith pseudonym....more
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