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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It “Tres novelas in crescendo. La segunda se lee como un cuento largo.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Ugh, existensialism is over my head.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Tres novelas in crescendo. La segunda se lee como un cuento largo.”
Montse DLL wrote this review Saturday, November 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very good.”
Zé Pedro Rodrigues wrote this review Thursday, November 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Fascinating post-modern, or at the very least existential, "mystery". Very literary, philosophic take on reality. Not a quick read, but very captivating.”
Marcia T wrote this review Tuesday, November 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Ugh, existensialism is over my head.”
Lindsay M wrote this review Tuesday, October 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Fun. Kinda smart ass, but well done.”
Joe B wrote this review Monday, September 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“loved it! more later.”
Danee M wrote this review Tuesday, September 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Fantasmas, fue el primer libro de la Trilogia de New York, y de Paul Auster, que lei. Y me parece realmente increible la astucia con la que es escrito este libro, te llena de misterio y te hace pensar en el desenlace desde el inicio hasta el final. Sin duda, una obra maestra de Auster.”
Hans R wrote this review Monday, June 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A very well written work, though not always clear.
Madhuri wrote this review Wednesday, June 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
All three stories: City of Glass, Ghosts and The Locked Room are more stories of obsession and alienation rather than detection. The narrative technique keeps the interest alive, always building up a mystery. Even when you realize that the mystery will never be solved (Or that there is no mystery), you keep reading to know how it ends.
I personally liked Ghosts best, where the distinction between the detective and the detected becomes blurred. How overwhelming it could be to realize from being the one in control, you have become the one controlled. ”
“I bought a beautiful copy of this book before a recent trip to Italy. Granted, I was looking for a typical detective story, but I am quite particular. I want well-developed characters, unique story lines, and a plot that keeps me involved. No J.D. Robb novels for me.
jennifer r wrote this review Tuesday, June 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This trilogy was quite disappointing. I read the first story and did actually complete it although I thought the main character to be pretentious and self involved. The mythology involved was quite complex, and that is one of the only reasons I did not leave the book on a train, barely cracked.
Identity is a main theme in all of these stories; however, I have read many other novels and stories that also explore such a theme while at the same time, keeping the reader entertained, thinking, and pushing toward the end.
The second story was, by far, the absolute worst. I had to stop reading in order to share the first several paragraphs with friends; the cast of characters included Black, White, Brown, and Blue (?). Were Mr. Auster an Evelyn Waugh, perhaps the dialogue and each character would have been able to stand on his own - Mr. Auster is no Waugh. My travel companions kept telling me to simply put it down since it was so awful, but I could not - not, however, because the story kept me in any way invested.
I did, eventually, leave the book in a bed and breakfast in Florence but felt as though I should have left a note stating: Reader Beware.
After reading others' reviews, I feel as though I should go back and give it a second chance, but there are too many other worthy novels out there for me to do so.”
“I only read "City of Glass" but I plan on reading the other two stories.
Zommbie1 wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I thought "City of Glass" was incredibly thought provoking. So many interesting ideas about identity and language. It had me guessing the whole time. ”
