The Emperor's Children
 

The Emperor's Children

by Claire Messud


From a writer “of near-miraculous perfection” (The New York Times Book Review) and “a literary intelligence far surpassing most other writers of her generation” (San Francisco Chronicle), The Emperor’s Children is a dazzling, masterful novel about the intersections in the lives of three friends, now on the cusp of their thirties, making their way—and... (read more)

Top tags: fictionnew yorkcontemporary fiction9/11man booker prize list (all tags)

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Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Lea Lea
  • Rated 4 stars

This book got it right. It says exactly what I have thought, and been unable to articulate, about my own generation.

Lea Lea’s full review »
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Didn’t Like It

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.
Anita B
  • Rated 2 stars

I really wanted to like this book but the characters were all so awful. I didn't like this one....

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Community:
  • Rated 2.921875 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 5 stars
 

Newest Comments

  • Kerri W

    kerri w said:

    Does anyone know any read-a-likes for this book? I'm reading Three Daughters and that might be a good suggestion. Thanks!

    posted 2 weeks ago ( | view 1 reply )
  • jlbrazell

    jlbrazell said:

    I can't get through it. It's presumptuous in tone and, quite frankly, just underwhelming. I, too, cannot relate to any of the characters - nor would I want to.

    posted Saturday, May 24 2008 ( | view 1 reply )
  • Dara T

    dara t said:

    I HATED this book. I cannot fall in love with a book when every single one of the characters is repulsive to me. They had no redeeming qualities. I finished it because I kept thinking it would get better but it never did. I wish I hadn't wasted my money.

    posted Monday, April 28 2008
  • Yana

    yana said:

    One of the aspects that I find most remarkable about this book is Messud's use of language and vocabulary. This book clearly can not be classified as an 'easy read' so her decision, or ability to incorporate long drawn out descriptions and inner thoughts of characters, without fear of losing her readers is commendable.

    posted Saturday, February 9 2008
  • Kirsten H

    kirsten h said:

    Hard to get into this one - and it's a big one (read the hardcover.) But once I did, I really became involved with the characters; they were easy to spend time with, and I found it hard to put down. I generally avoid post-Sept. 11 stuff, but the bit at the end was done well. It felt real and surreal at the same time, which is about as real as that gets for me. Not sure that I would recommend it necessarily. If I am going to feel so-so about a book, I prefer it to be less of a commitment size-wise.

    posted Saturday, December 29 2007
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