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Re: *SPOILERS* MAJORLY. Camilla Send a noteboard - 10/05/2010 09:59:57 PM
and I agree that the first chapter does not work. But apparently it works for a lot of people. And it works, and has some better moments, when you reread it (like Pestle's shoe thing in the empty place). But I liked and read the book despite it, not because of it.

I am not sure why you should need my forgiveness (although if I had not had a glass of wine or so, I might come after you for naming him "Babycakes"), though. I was not annoyed about repetition. Do you mean repetition of information?

Thief of Time - pratchett
Anansi Boys - Gaiman

Both deal with a single entity split in two - one at birth, the other - I no longer remember. Something about Anansi Boys is very slippery, I always need to reread it because I forget.

Anyway. I randomly decided that the narrator was either unrequitedly in love with Gonzo or his split-off inner self. (I do admire Harkaway's use of the unreliable narrator here, however boring the narrator in question is.)

At the moment, what comes to mind in terms of explanations is Babycakes' explanation of corporate drones, their levels, and how they are made. I think we see it, in varying forms, at least three times in the novel. Each time it is very clever, but it is still the same information over and over. If I had been his editor I'd've said, Nick Harkaway, you are very clever, but most of your readers are going to either read very slowly or be quick enough to catch up with you on the second repetition. Save it for your next novel. Or blog. Or letter to your mum. Anywhere but here!



I liked that. Mostly because I felt it was a terribly important point, and it deserved the emphasis. And I like it when he is clever. Books are not utilitarian things, after all. This one is as much about flourishes as about anything else. But I suppose you have to be in the mood for it.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
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The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway - 10/05/2010 06:01:50 PM 5216 Views
I have no idea what you just wrote : ) *NM* - 10/05/2010 07:01:53 PM 859 Views
Re: Shall I rewrite it? *NM* - 10/05/2010 07:02:37 PM 841 Views
It works perfect for the book then. - 10/05/2010 08:29:57 PM 1470 Views
Which Gaiman and Pratchett? *SPOILERS* - 10/05/2010 09:51:01 PM 1446 Views
Re: *SPOILERS* MAJORLY. - 10/05/2010 09:57:01 PM 1381 Views
Re: *SPOILERS* MAJORLY. - 10/05/2010 09:59:57 PM 1497 Views
Nice review! I'll read it at some point, in time for the book club if not earlier... - 10/05/2010 09:55:22 PM 1365 Views
Re: I'm resigned to being the only person who didn't like it. - 10/05/2010 09:58:10 PM 1420 Views
It did not remind me of Buffy. - 10/05/2010 10:00:41 PM 1346 Views
Re: SPOILERS for season seven of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. - 10/05/2010 10:18:45 PM 1391 Views
Re: SPOILERS for season seven of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. - 10/05/2010 10:26:13 PM 1389 Views
Re: Ooooh yes. - 10/05/2010 10:32:13 PM 1471 Views
Re: Ooooh yes. - 11/05/2010 12:11:53 AM 1330 Views
I don't like it so far. About 150-200 pages in. Not impressed. - 10/05/2010 10:02:21 PM 1399 Views
I don't recall it getting any better later - 10/05/2010 10:15:55 PM 1372 Views
Why are you not impressed? *NM* - 10/05/2010 10:16:29 PM 717 Views
Re: SPOILERS - 10/05/2010 10:22:52 PM 1386 Views
Re: SPOILERS - 10/05/2010 10:28:06 PM 1327 Views
Re: That last mentioned is awesome. - 10/05/2010 10:33:29 PM 1481 Views
Re: That last mentioned is awesome. - 11/05/2010 12:12:21 AM 1368 Views
Seems like he's trying too hard. - 10/05/2010 10:39:34 PM 1446 Views
Re: It does end better than it begins and goes on. - 10/05/2010 10:23:30 PM 1393 Views
This is a weak novel. - 11/05/2010 03:50:01 PM 1336 Views
This is one of the books you really should not judge until you've finished it *NM* - 11/05/2010 04:15:23 PM 737 Views
That's why I didn't. - 11/05/2010 07:59:54 PM 1379 Views
But that raises another question - 11/05/2010 08:03:45 PM 1356 Views
Re: It's definitely not fabulous. - 11/05/2010 06:47:01 PM 1408 Views
I understand your complaints - 12/05/2010 11:45:10 PM 1394 Views

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