Reviews

Leviathan by Paul Auster

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jeremiea's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

antigoon's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

blueyorkie's review against another edition

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5.0

A great writer was grappling with an ambitious subject, masterfully treated.
First, it is a perfect construction, an upside-down thriller that gives the dead man's identity and goes back to his story told by his best friend, who leads the investigation among the key characters, especially women who were essential to them both, doubles too. The narrator recounts with thoroughness and depth a few years of life in turmoil in this little world of the American intelligentsia of the Reagan years and their lost dreams. It is also the explanation of the genesis of a story with the strokes of chance, the vain research, the intersecting stories, and everything that will ultimately deliver a book to a publisher or the FBI. Magnificent!

rkaufman13's review against another edition

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2.0

Maybe it's because I read this immediately after Coetzee's Foe, but this book seemed to say the same stuff as Foe, only it took four times as long and was harder to slog through. Auster's sentences are like chores, except less rewarding.

On the other hand, I feel like I must have missed something big if so many other people like it..

stevewookeybook's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My first Auster novel. I am getting back into reading after a lengthy break - I went into my local Waterstones (Wells, Somerset, UK) and the lovely Archie responded to my request for ‘something more literary and less mass market with a strong narrative’ and he obliged with this and Auster’s Book of Illusions. I’m so grateful to him because he’s triggered my passion for reading once again. I would compare Auster to Ian McEwan. Feels like similar territory. Enjoy!