All Reviews
4 + 3 in other languages
Peter Carey never lets you down! This is probably his best novel so far. Funny, witty, entertaining, written in a magnificent prose, this book will capture you and will not let you go until you have reached the last page.
Here is our XXIst Century Dickens. Carey at his very best (see "Oscar and Lucinda"). I strongly recommend it to all those who like a good plot, full of events, humour, irony and lively characters on a substantial - but not overwhelming - historical basis.
Here is our XXIst Century Dickens. Carey at his very best (see "Oscar and Lucinda"). I strongly recommend it to all those who like a good plot, full of events, humour, irony and lively characters on a substantial - but not overwhelming - historical basis.
Typical Carey...though with problems
I've liked Carey's writing from his earliest work. He has a number of writing styles, and this is one of his more idiosyncratic novels. I enjoyed the read, though its a big tome, and I confess I think the story here ran out of steam before the book finished. A shame, as the characters are well-drawn, and the tale of a French aristrocrat sent (against his will) to the nascent US was funny and compelling.
But in the end overlong and lost its way towards the close. I prefer Carey's more punchy works, such as 'Theft: A Love Story'.
He's still essentially a great writer though.
Typical Carey...though with problems
I've liked Carey's writing from his earliest work. He has a number of writing styles, and this is one of his more idiosyncratic novels. I enjoyed the read, though its a big tome, and I confess I think the story here ran out of steam before the book finished. A shame, as the characters are well-drawn, and the tale of a French aristrocrat sent (against his will) to the nascent US was funny and compelling.
But in the end overlong and lost its way towards the close. I prefer Carey's more punchy works, such as 'Theft: A Love Story'.
He's still essentially a great writer though.
This was painful. It took me about 300 pages to realise I would never get into it. I had a similar experience with the Kelly Gang, so I fear Carey's style doesn't do it for me.
This was painful. It took me about 300 pages to realise I would never get into it. I had a similar experience with the Kelly Gang, so I fear Carey's style doesn't do it for me.