Priest - The Islanders [Jan 14, 2020]

[Beige]

So far, I'm a very big fan of the style and creativity.

I got a bit distracted by real life so I'm still only at 60%. I'll should be back to reading tomorrow.

[Mayim]

I have finished and now I’m trying to convert the whole goodreads into reading this book immediately.

[Beige]

Mayim wrote: "I have finished and now I’m trying to convert the whole goodreads into reading this book immediately."

Haha! I does make me curious if it is possible to increase readership through one person's sheer will. I used to work in books and I always secretly laughed when the company said they were responsible for "making a hit". Imho, putting something in an ad and a featuring in a store doesn't lead to a groundswell. But here on Goodreads you can witness it in real time, albeit slow-mo real time.

[Mayim]

I have no delusions that I will make it, I’m not a popular influencer and I have rather consciously posited myself as the odd one out but I imagine it’s enough to take one of those top 100 reviewers on board to make some things happen.

[Beige]

Mayim wrote: "I have no delusions that I will make it, I’m not a popular influencer and I have rather consciously posited myself as the odd one out but I imagine it’s enough to take one of those top 100 reviewer..."

I meant it more as a thought experiment ;) If we really put our minds to it, is it even possible? How successful have individual fans been in the past? The path to a Teen or Romance a hit *seems* pretty straight forward; you need a few influencers to lose their shit. The literary, especially for a book so unique, seems infinitely more complex. Why did A Visit from the Goon Squad cross over, while so many (arguably) equally delightful books stayed in their niche?

I did see a Movie production company is adapting an A.I to figure out how to improve their hits and misses ratio. I'm assuming it will take a long time before publishing could afford such a beast.

[Beige]

So, I finally finished it.

Overall I liked the first half better than the second. The first half made me think (view spoiler)[ a more conventional story lay underneath the travel guide and that would be what emerged. I was looking forward to many things being slowly revealed. While that did happen in a roundabout way, it also had a high page count for short stories with ambiguous endings. I liked the stories of Meequa and Seevl by themselves, but within the novel, they felt out of place. I'd rather have read them as book 1.5. Instead of those I'd rather have read more about islands where the original characters could have been explored further.

I mentioned in my review that my favourite part was the art. Not only can Priest construct and intricate web like novel, but he can invent imaginative pieces of art! Mind. Blown.

I also loved how the elements of the mystery were unfolded and how each pov had their own truth of the matter.

But best of all, we learn that the introduction was written by someone who passed away years before the book was written. That was a nice touch.

Overall, lots to admire.

(hide spoiler)]

[Beige]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Finished... and was just left with a sense of "what?!?"

I kinda feel like I need to read the book again, to catch the importance of all the elements told out of order...

It's kinda like that play..."

Haha! Yes I did wonder if that play was (view spoiler)[ a cipher for the whole book. But having read it all now I don't think that is the case.
However, Caurer does seem like the most fascinating woman. I wish we'd had a few more details of her life (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm still reading it, but it doesn't go fast as I wanted. I'll post on Monday my thoughts about the allready read chapters. Haven't read your spoilers, Beige, I will after I've finished the book. I want to keep an open mind.

[Saar The Book owl]

I've finished, but will comment next week.

[Mayim]

I see it's a mixed bag of three stars. :) Curious to hear your thoughts.