Only Revolutions: A Novel by Mark Z. Danielewski
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Book Reviews of Only Revolutions: A Novel
Book Review: Not just over most peoples head, this one is plutonian in its distance.
Summary: 3 Stars
House of Leaves was a revelation to me when i was 16, about the possibilites of literature and horror and textural themes. I have gifted HoL to many people in my life, and forced a girlfriend to buy me a copy when she damaged mine under the threat of ending our two year relationship.
Now that I've placed that book on such a high pedestal, lets get to Revolutions. I always keep my expectations of things low so i can be surprised, and even though i was sold on the technical mastery of this book, i really felt let down. Now I'm not an idiot. i can cut through philosophy and metaphors and tap into deeper intentions of books with little difficulty.
But on the flip side, i hate reading books where i feel like i need a english professor and a masters degree in literature to even get an idea of what is going on. and here is the problem of Only Revolutions. Its nearly impenetrable. And the worst part is that you spend hours reading the story, navigating your confusion and trying to keep some semblance of a story in your head, and it just ends. Very little seems acccomplished, and now I'm angry.
So now do i suffer through the book again with the meager hope that I will understand more this time? Given the strain from the first round, no. especially since I see little reward in doing so. This was a masterful letdown of a novel, that went so far over me i need Hubble just to see it.
Book Review: Another difficult read from an interesting author
Summary: 3 Stars
Prose. That's how this book is written. Very tough to read. i haven't finished it yet because it's been difficult to get through and I'm busy. An interesting premise, telling three stories in one. This is a very different story and writing style from House of Leaves, which I loved. However, Danielewski puts a lot of thought and research into his books, and that's evident. I gave it three stars because it's tough to get into the mindset of reading a book of, basically, poetic sentences. Once you do, it goes quite quickly, and leads you down a long, beautiful journey. Buy, but be ready for a challenge.Book Review: Fine to read, not a good buy
Summary: 2 Stars
After Danielewski's House of Leaves I immediately bought this book, no questions asked. I had it reserved and got one of the first copies, and, while this is a great thing from a fan's standpoint; from a literary standpoint this work is disappointing.
Only Revolutions tells the tale of two young lovers who may, or may not, have lived at the same time. While Danielewski still has imbued the work with riddles and hidden meanings the tale is lost in arbitrary rules set forth by himself for the book to have supposed meaning. While it sounds amazing read aloud, and the tale could have been a good one, Danielewski's attempt at an "epic poem" largely fails. The story and the poetic form did not mesh as well as could have been hoped, and it pails when compared to such works as The Singer Trilogy by Calvin Miller.
It is obvious that Danielewski still has things to say, and they are well worth hearing. It is obvious that he will continue to make an impact upon the literary world, but Only Revolutions seems to follow an ever lengthening line of poor poetry peddled as great story telling (while he still manages to stay above the level of Ellen Hopkins -- hailed as a ground-breaker, truly just hack).
Book Review: This is a work of art. It's not a novel, nor is it a narrative.
Summary: 2 Stars
I loved House of Leaves, and, in a way, I was not disappointed by Only Revolutions.
Where HoL was art and readable as narrative, OR is a work of art not readable as narrative. If you're looking for a read, this isn't it. If you're looking for fine binding combined with exquisite typography, this is your book.
Make no mistake: I take the book out occasionally, and look at it, and admire it. But I can't read it, and I suspect few can. But by gosh, it's beautiful.
Book Review: Brilliant I THINK
Summary: 2 Stars
Like Mark Danielewski would write an easy book. Ever read HOUSE OF LEAVES? As compilcated as it was, LEAVES was an easier read than this. You read so many pages, 8, turn the book over and read back from the other end and then back, all the way through. And its in rhymn. Very tough challenge. Up for it?