Rating:  Summary: How can anyone like this book? Please tell me. Review: This book made me very upset. I looked forward to reading it, but I found it terribly dull and static. Just a group of people spending months doing nothing in a remote beach in the Gulf of Thailand. Is that interesting or fascinating? I waited and waited for something interesting to happen, but nothing changed. I must admit it: I didn't finish it; I couldn't read more than 300 pages (2/3 of the book) and it has not been easy, believe me.
Rating:  Summary: Quick read - A real page turner Review: I picked this up on a flier and found it to be quite engaging. It's one of the few books I've liked that my wife also enjoyed. It's well written and interesting. I hope there's a sequel.
Rating:  Summary: read it! Review: I don't read many books but I found it hard to put this one down. It is definitely worth reading. However, I think that Ewan Mcgregor would have suited Richard better than wimpy yet, attractive Leonardo Dicaprio, but I am still looking forward to its release. If you are even considering reading this book, do. If you don't you're missing out!
Rating:  Summary: Ignore the hype, this book stinks! Review: Having indulged in the Full Moon party antics of Ko Phan Gang myself and mixed in the company of 'professional' travellers I thought that Garland's characters were way off the mark and the plot completely ludicrous. He didn't convince me that these people were having fun in their little island paridise and the phychology and social dynamics of the group just didn't convince. The dialogue lacked imagination and the characters were poorly drawn. How this has become a best seller I just don't know.
Rating:  Summary: A Classic! Review: Easy reading at its best. No need to take this work seriously, it's just a great story! If you're a traveller (especially to the region) it's a must read. Can see how stay at home yanks might not find it appealing but anyone with a sense of adventure will be gripped!
Rating:  Summary: It was dull Review: He writes pretty well, spare, simple stuff, but nothing that blows wind up my skirt. And it's just a pretty boring story. I managed to get maybe half way through, and then I gave up, because NOTHING was happening and I didn't care. Not worth all the hype. Not worth buying.
Rating:  Summary: game over, man Review: THIS BOOK IS NOT, ON THE ROAD. not even close.this book is more like some video game memory. its a fast paced game loaded with archetypal postmodern characters for the generation x players of the new world. its short, shallow chapters and fast cuts ala mtv are what makes it a good read. "this (book) is the split second before game over." its cool, give it read.
Rating:  Summary: THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE BEST Review: I think that this is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Not just the way in which it is written but the way it provoked images in my head. Some of the theories explored in it are really exciting and new ideas. I absolutely loved it!
Rating:  Summary: read it on a train and don't expect much Review: This book is bound to be passed around by backpackers (hopefully none will buy another copy). I gave mine away as soon as I finished and have not considered the plot or the characters since I turned the last page. Read it while you are stuck on a train and you will be happy.
Rating:  Summary: Did I miss something? Review: My little brother recommended this to me and I'm going to have to turn his flat over looking for the crackpipe because this book is horrible. Longwinded and clumsily written (the insertion of the Gameboy had to be a hasty pop-culture filler as the need to shop for batteries on the mainland completeley dilutes the semi-ceremonial aspects of the "rice run"). What a disappointing book. Does any generation need a single literary voice to emerge? If they do should we be stuck with Garland? One positive: it's inspired us all to find some shaky premise and wring a "novel" out of it. Oh, as for the denoument -- was the hard drive running short of memory or was the handily rapid carnage supposed to suggest the flitting nature of life? Good grief.
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