Okay i was in the worst reading slump. Like the “is reading really fun anymore?” type of slump. So I turned to sci-fi, a genre outside my typical seleOkay i was in the worst reading slump. Like the “is reading really fun anymore?” type of slump. So I turned to sci-fi, a genre outside my typical selection, and discovered Dark Matter after going through several lists of highly rated books. I turned my “reader” brain off for most of this, and honestly? It was so much fun. I had such a hard time putting the book down due to the relentless pace and intensity of the story. Would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, action-packed thriller filled with intense scenes and science fiction. Its got plot twists. Science. Boxes. Corridors. Guns. Chase scenes.
This is not “literature” though - it’s like reading a screenplay for a television show or movie. There isn’t much to think about. You are given all the plot and context you need, often through short, single word sentences.
Like. This.
Is it perfect? Is it an excellent demonstration of the craft of writing? No. But I wouldn’t say that means you should skip it. There are just issues that keep this book from being a strong 4 or 5 star read for me. The characterization for Daniella, and especially Charlie, is very shallow, I can’t quite decide if I want to claim that Amanda was a plot device or not, several events are way too convenient for Jason, and the ending felt too simple. In a way it reminded me a bit of Midnight Library, if Midnight Library was a good book.
But you know what? Not every book needs to be East of Eden or Stoner or Notes from Underground. Sometimes you don’t want to feel like you’re reading a book. If you want to feel like you are sitting down to watch a summer blockbuster with some delicious popcorn in a nice air-conditioned theater with your friends on a hot day, pick up Dark Matter.
This was one of the most beautifully crafted novels I've read this year. Baldwin is certainly a master of the pen.
Inspired by the words of our protagoThis was one of the most beautifully crafted novels I've read this year. Baldwin is certainly a master of the pen.
Inspired by the words of our protagonist, David, this book ~tore my heart slowly into many pieces. I watched them dance in the wind, carrying them away. As I turn and begin walking towards the next books on my Goodreads TBR list, the wind blows some of them back on me.~
Rating The Master and Margarita at 2 stars feels disrespectful, and likely would reflect my insufficient knowledge needed to appreciate the satire morRating The Master and Margarita at 2 stars feels disrespectful, and likely would reflect my insufficient knowledge needed to appreciate the satire more than an objective evaluation of its merits. So with that I’ll put it at a 2.5.
If only I had an understanding English teacher with an in-depth knowledge of Russian history to hold my hand and explain everything to me after I read each chapter.
Instead, I had no less than 6 tabs open at any given point in time trying to understand the complex plot, parallel narratives, and balls-to-the-walls wackiness, acquaint myself with Soviet history and patronymic naming conventions, and appreciate the (I’m assuming prolific quantities) of satirical commentary that is packed into this book.
I’m conflicted. I know this is considered a masterpiece and a classic, but overall, I simply didn’t enjoy reading it. The increasing levels of whimsicality and insanity + minimal character development made it hard for me to stick with. And that could very well be my own problem.
This is a wildly imaginative, chaotic fever dream. The writing is clearly ahead of its time. There are plenty of memorable scenes: Satan’s ball, the Master’s struggles to publish his manuscript on Pontious Pilate, and the magic show come to mind. Behemoth and Koroviev’s relentless shenanigans throughout Moscow were absurd and fun.
However, while the Master and Margarita is highly complex, this just felt inaccessible for someone lacking the appropriate historical context. The Pontious Pilate chapters were painfully tedious and uninteresting, and the consistent tomfoolery and fever-dream sequences weren’t enough to make this remotely fun. ...more
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