Only Revolutions: A Novel by Mark Z. Danielewski
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Book Reviews of Only Revolutions: A Novel
Book Review: A book that needs to be heard to be understood
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a GREAT book. The only problem is your left-brain is getting in the way. Having to read the words distracts you from the story. I recommend you listen to the audio book read by the author (and an actress) in order to truly understand the epic narrative as the author envisioned it.Book Review: Only Quality
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent condition. Purchased a 'used' product that arrived in 'new' condition. Very pleased with speed of delivery. Would definitely purchase from this seller againBook Review: Extremely difficult, but quite thought-provoking once you get into it
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm not going to lie; this book is incredibly frustrating. It's a classic sophomore novel; after his commercially and artistically successful House of Leaves, Danielewski seems to have tried to stretch himself to his (superhuman, if HoL is any indicator) limits and in the process has sacrificed any kind of easy point of entry to his thoughts. House of Leaves succeeded because it only gradually introduces the reader to its depths (heights?); Only Revolutions starts, philosophically and in terms of complexity, where House of Leaves left off. This means it's very hard to get into, but when you do it's every bit as sly, mind-bending, and terrifying as House of Leaves. Which is not to say I "get" it; there are still entire pages where I literally have no idea what is going on. If House of Leaves was a puzzle without a solution, Only Revolutions is a puzzle with a million useless solutions. Which is not to say it isn't worthwhile, as long as you have the time and the patience. Here are some things that I've found helped my reading most of all:
House of Leaves, Lewis Hyde's Trickster Makes This World, and a good book of American history are extremely useful background reading.
Have a dictionary and/or the Internet on hand; the vocabulary is confusing, but there are far fewer made-up words than you'd think, and a quick Google search will decode most of the historical notes.
Ignore the publisher's suggestion to alternate between a chapter of Sam and a chapter of Hailey; for your first reading, just pick a side and barrel on through, only paying attention to the historical notes and opposite text when something really captures your interest. For subsequent readings, you'll probably have created a set of rules for yourself to follow.
In later readings, go slow. The amount of information packed into each chapter is enormous. Take the time to get familiar with the relevant portion of American history. Spend some time on the opposite page and upside-down text (the entire book is symmetrical two ways). Take notes.
If the above hasn't made it clear enough, have a lot of spare time.
Book Review: Interestingly strange...
Summary: 4 Stars
Either you'll love this book, or you'll hate it. There's no happy medium. You can't "enjoy" parts of it, and then be "frustrated" with others, because this book is written in the same tone, with the same technique throughout the whole thing. The "story line" is a bit jaded, but you have to see beyond the stream of consciousness to see it.
I can't say whether or not anyone will like it or hate it. My opinion is no less or more than the others who have used this forum. However, I do think that if you like a puzzle and a major theme like "love," then you'll enjoy this book. If you don't like that, well...switch to something else.
The House of Leaves was indeed his better work, but nonetheless, at least he's a consistently convoluting writer.
As I usually say, "It could be worse..." and indeed it could be.
Book Review: Only revolutions
Summary: 4 Stars
Only revolutions, though a task to read and sometimes boringly repetitious, was a book I truly ended up enjoying. The two narrators produced a vivid image of myself throughout the years. I could relate to the naivety and brutality of the world, and the struggle that comes with relationships. I could have done without the semantics, but that's neither here nor there because I recommend this book to any friend who appreciates a certain kind of lyrical poetry.