Absolutely great, captivating and hard to put down. The story is not complicated, but it's told through diaries in a very interesting way, and this acAbsolutely great, captivating and hard to put down. The story is not complicated, but it's told through diaries in a very interesting way, and this achieves two great things: it constantly keeps you guessing and building theories, and you're often just one step ahead of the protagonist - you can put the pizzle together and very quickly feel gratification ("yay, I got that part right!"). Definitely recommend, very "cozy" reading.
The Beauty of the House is immeasurable, its Kindness infinite....more
DNF at roughly third of the book. I knew that modernism is not for me, but that one turned out to be just unreadable... At first even understanding whDNF at roughly third of the book. I knew that modernism is not for me, but that one turned out to be just unreadable... At first even understanding who the characters are was almost impossible without wikipedia's help. And as soon as I started to think "well, I kinda get it, it's not that bad" - there's a perspective switch to Quentin, and turns out that Benjy was an epitome of clarity.. So, yeah, that one's not for me....more
Probably more like 3.5, but still feels disapointing after first book. Maybe it's a usual problem of second book in the trilogy - we got introduced to Probably more like 3.5, but still feels disapointing after first book. Maybe it's a usual problem of second book in the trilogy - we got introduced to the world and characters in the first book, the grand finale is in the third, so second is just kinda there, with some exposition, journey and development, but without much of a high point. Still, major change of perspective, from researchers inside the Area X, to people outside who are watching from the sidelines, trying to understand without directly experiencing it was an interesting step. Protagonist is really good too - we can observe how he's thinking, how he's trying to make sense of everything that's happening, we know a bit more than him, but don't really understand much more - and his personal dramas are quite compelling too. Overall, it's definitely not bad, but I hope it will be small dip before an exciting resolution in "Acceptance"....more
Really, really good. Interesting and unusual premise, exciting, gripping story (starting from second half it was hard to put it down, I just needed to Really, really good. Interesting and unusual premise, exciting, gripping story (starting from second half it was hard to put it down, I just needed to know what happened next), and great arch-nemesis (I just love it when you see the point in what he's doing, and can't say that he's even that wrong..)....more
Quite interesting book, and I can feel that author really loves Britain and it's people. Very atmospheric, and after reading I want to (re-)visit manyQuite interesting book, and I can feel that author really loves Britain and it's people. Very atmospheric, and after reading I want to (re-)visit many places Bill mentions. At the same time, what constantly bothered me is that he is often unnecessary mean to people around him. I understand that it was probably quite exaggerated for comedic effect (whole youtube careers are made on "shouting in rage"), but it was still nagging me a lot. If you're looking for a more "whole" anthropologic study of Britain - I'll recommend "Watching the English" by Kate Fox (which has handful of references to Bryson's book), this one is more of travel diary along with funny stories, and grumpy narrator....more
Absolutely great story. The writing is very "stylish" and nice to read, the story is serious and raises a lot of important questions, but at the same tAbsolutely great story. The writing is very "stylish" and nice to read, the story is serious and raises a lot of important questions, but at the same time there's a lot of humor in how characters talk and act. In parallel with interesting SF story, you have a glance into "very english" society of a small town, with attitudes like "better not to make a fuss", "everything can be talked over and resolved over the cup of tea" etc....more
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