Take a photo of a barcode or cover
brendamn's Reviews (370)
It is more flowery and gracefully written than the average book I suppose, but it is without enough depth to claim any greatness when it comes to prose. Though for the reader that would gravitate towards this book in regards to similar ones, it maybe would stand out in that regard.
This is another case where there was a failure on my part to notice that I am not part of the typical crowd that reads these kinds of books. Though while romance is not my forte, that element being the ultimate focus did not actually detract from my enjoyment.
The book's summary and my knee jerk interest in science fiction is what drew me to read this. Its concept was unique enough to draw me to it, and it did end up unfolding pretty well in that regard. It being a short read at least for me in particular though I think ended up being a strength. In the end the science fiction aspect was pretty much just a vehicle for the romantic focus.
If I went into the book with a keener sense of what to expect I probably would not have picked it up. Though having now completed it regardless, I cannot deny it was surprisingly enjoyable despite not being in line with my taste.
This is another case where there was a failure on my part to notice that I am not part of the typical crowd that reads these kinds of books. Though while romance is not my forte, that element being the ultimate focus did not actually detract from my enjoyment.
The book's summary and my knee jerk interest in science fiction is what drew me to read this. Its concept was unique enough to draw me to it, and it did end up unfolding pretty well in that regard. It being a short read at least for me in particular though I think ended up being a strength. In the end the science fiction aspect was pretty much just a vehicle for the romantic focus.
If I went into the book with a keener sense of what to expect I probably would not have picked it up. Though having now completed it regardless, I cannot deny it was surprisingly enjoyable despite not being in line with my taste.
What Schur does well with this book is offer accessible explanations to different ethical theories, as well as a view into other philosophical schools of thought through the lens of ethics. For the most part the examples he uses in order to show the strengths and complexities each present are useful and generally on point, but in the end are also what make this not a maximally effective starting point for the topic in general.
Schur has heavily self-inserted himself into this book, and consequentially gives the book a heavy bias. The general conclusions and condemnations he comes to I do agree in the majority of cases presented, but that definitely is not something that would be true for a lot of people. Using cultural and political examples to convey what ethical and unethical behavior looks like quickly marginalizes large swaths of people from benefiting from this book.
It is a good book for those who already have a decent baseline for what ethical behavior looks like, but for those that don't they would just end up pissed of and possibly reject what is being presented to them wholesale. And those people are going to typically be the people who ironically would benefit the most from a book explaining the philosophy of ethics. Maybe we ought not care what those people think (which would be at odds with a large part of Schur's message and intention), but it still does limit the reach of this book's impact.
Schur has heavily self-inserted himself into this book, and consequentially gives the book a heavy bias. The general conclusions and condemnations he comes to I do agree in the majority of cases presented, but that definitely is not something that would be true for a lot of people. Using cultural and political examples to convey what ethical and unethical behavior looks like quickly marginalizes large swaths of people from benefiting from this book.
It is a good book for those who already have a decent baseline for what ethical behavior looks like, but for those that don't they would just end up pissed of and possibly reject what is being presented to them wholesale. And those people are going to typically be the people who ironically would benefit the most from a book explaining the philosophy of ethics. Maybe we ought not care what those people think (which would be at odds with a large part of Schur's message and intention), but it still does limit the reach of this book's impact.
Do not let the hedgehog deceive you, this is a dark and disturbing book containing a good handful of traumatic events. That is the primary thing I feel should be known going in, the plot and everything else is best discovered as you read.
Earthlings explores the pressure to conform and challenges taboos in modern Japanese society. If the reality is as rigid and demanding as depicted in this book, it sounds miserable. It is not the culture I was born into so it is not something I can personally properly assess. Her writing style does feel to over exaggerate things for effect, which proves a strength rather than a detriment, but even with a ludicrous as the tale gets there still is a valid critique you can see at its core.
My main issue was with the ending. It took the tone of the book and dialed it up way too high way in a short span of time. It definitely felt intentional and for many it probably landed well, it just did not for me. It felt rushed, a gradual build up I think would have served better. That is a small issue though and very subjective, everything else was very well executed.
Earthlings explores the pressure to conform and challenges taboos in modern Japanese society. If the reality is as rigid and demanding as depicted in this book, it sounds miserable. It is not the culture I was born into so it is not something I can personally properly assess. Her writing style does feel to over exaggerate things for effect, which proves a strength rather than a detriment, but even with a ludicrous as the tale gets there still is a valid critique you can see at its core.
My main issue was with the ending. It took the tone of the book and dialed it up way too high way in a short span of time. It definitely felt intentional and for many it probably landed well, it just did not for me. It felt rushed, a gradual build up I think would have served better. That is a small issue though and very subjective, everything else was very well executed.
While I was not completely taken with the main plot of the book, the final chapter and the epilogue were superb. The epilogue especially salvaged what otherwise would have been a disappointing end to The Border Trilogy.
It was great to be able to get John Grady Cole and Billy Parham together in this novel, but it felt like there was a lot of missed opportunities that could have utilized the first two books of the trilogy. John Grady Cole's character also just got done so dirty. Maybe I am not just enough of a romantic at heart to appreciate his story here, but it did not feel like there was enough there to justify how dumb he was here. Other than him being young, I guess.
What this book did not lack was of course McCarthy's masterful prose and profound insight. I am amazed that be this underwhelmed yet completely awed at the same time.
It was great to be able to get John Grady Cole and Billy Parham together in this novel, but it felt like there was a lot of missed opportunities that could have utilized the first two books of the trilogy. John Grady Cole's character also just got done so dirty. Maybe I am not just enough of a romantic at heart to appreciate his story here, but it did not feel like there was enough there to justify how dumb he was here. Other than him being young, I guess.
What this book did not lack was of course McCarthy's masterful prose and profound insight. I am amazed that be this underwhelmed yet completely awed at the same time.