Pedro's Reviews > The Colony

Right on, Pedro!

Maybe this is what they call postmodernity? It is all there, but we are not capable enough to notice it? (Dear irony, how I love thee)

Compact but eloquent review.

Nice punchy, brief review Pedro - so 'nothing happened' and you gave it 4-stars?? Must be a good writer........ 😉

Judith wrote: "Right on, Pedro!"

Judith, I don't know what's wrong with all these modern authors.
Or maybe it's just me picking up the "wrong' ones. I don't know...
What I know is that I need a proper story packed with violence, sex, drugs and hell, even some rock n'roll, for god's sake.

Márcio wrote: "Maybe this is what they call postmodernity? It is all there, but we are not capable enough to notice it? (Dear irony, how I love thee)"

Márcio, please, don't even mention post-modernism as I nearly burned my last brain cell last week trying to finish one of those arty masterpieces.

Bianca wrote: "Compact but eloquent review."

Thanks, Bianca.

This was good but left me unsatisfied (and grumpy).

Mark wrote: "Nice punchy, brief review Pedro - so 'nothing happened' and you gave it 4-stars?? Must be a good writer........ 😉"

I'm going to quote you, Mr President.

Here it goes:
"Yeah I reckon (it's) a trap Pedro, because the writing is pretty good, we are duped into thinking something significant will happen".

You'll always have my vote. ;D

It was a five-star read for me. I'm betting that it makes the short list and maybe turns out to be the winner. I thought a lot went on overlaying the persistent violence.

Pedro wrote: "Mark wrote: "Nice punchy, brief review Pedro - so 'nothing happened' and you gave it 4-stars?? Must be a good writer........ 😉"

I'm going to quote you, Mr President.

Here it goes:
"Yeah I reckon..."

Bahahaha - great reply mate :))

Jay wrote: "It was a five-star read for me. I'm betting that it makes the short list and maybe turns out to be the winner. I thought a lot went on overlaying the persistent violence."

I'm glad this one was a complete winner for you, Jay.

It is a good book and the writing is very, very good. I'm just a bit tired of arty books where the story doesn't go anywhere (when there's a story at all), I guess.

And I don't know which books are going to make the Booker shortlist as I have only read this one and Oh William! so far.
I tried Nightcrawling and found the writing as pleasant as a visit to the dentist.

Oh, well, I never read all the Booker nominees anyway...

Mark wrote: "Pedro wrote: "Mark wrote: "Nice punchy, brief review Pedro - so 'nothing happened' and you gave it 4-stars?? Must be a good writer........ 😉"

I'm going to quote you, Mr President.

Here it goes:
..."

Thanks for the inspiration, Mr President. ;D

Correct..it's about pace, characters, theme and plot..if any one of them is missing it's not worth reading

Well, I'm sure it doesn't surprise you to know that I'm just curious enough about this one to add it anyway, Pedro! It's the setting that initially attracted me to it. It's too bad the storytelling was a drag!

Jonathan wrote: "Correct..it's about pace, characters, theme and plot..if any one of them is missing it's not worth reading"

That's it, Jon. Thanks for your support.
This one lost a star because of its repetitiveness and the completely underwhelming ending. I really thought some characters were going to end up having the most savage sex of their lives while others would be going straight to the bottom of the ocean... But no... Nearly four hundred pages and... Nothing. Absolutely nothing happened.

Candi wrote: "Well, I'm sure it doesn't surprise you to know that I'm just curious enough about this one to add it anyway, Pedro! It's the setting that initially attracted me to it. It's too bad the storytelling..."

No, Candi, it doesn't surprise me at all. Aha. And besides, a four star rating means that I though the book was very good, right?!

Let me just clarify a few bits just so you don't think I'm just being grumpy. First of all, I wouldn't say the storytelling was a drag - it just felt like it after I turned the last page and thought "well, nearly four hundred pages of people drinking milky tea to wash down slices of bread with butter and jam. That's definitely a story worth telling (not!)". Ahah.

Second of all there's a LOT of dialogue and what we get from the setting is based only on what characters say to each other and occasionally from what they think. If you're expecting lots of beautiful passages describing the island you might end up a bit disappointed, my friend.

Anyway, this is quite an unusual novel and there's plenty to love about it. I just wish the ending hadn't been so dull.

Looking forward to your review. :)

Thanks for the further clarification, friend! I do see what you mean. After that many pages, we hope to reach some kind of climax (even if the characters fail to - ha! :D) And you are right - I was hoping to read some lovely setting descriptions - you know I like to travel with my books ;)

I'll give it a try at some point... but for now, I'm actually craving bread and jam (skip the butter ;)

Candi wrote: "Thanks for the further clarification, friend! I do see what you mean. After that many pages, we hope to reach some kind of climax (even if the characters fail to - ha! :D) And you are right - I was..."

Candi, the characters definitely didn't reach the climax.
There were a few scenes where it felt like the only way was up but everything ended in a very floppy way. They talked too much... Ahah.

Ha! It seems that people don't talk when they should, and when it's really unnecessary they won't shut up :D :D

Candi wrote: "Ha! It seems that people don't talk when they should be, and when it's really unnecessary they won't shut up :D :D"

Ahah. You're such a wise person, friend. ;D

Well, I’m torn. I like talkers but I want action, too. Your short review made me laugh. I think I’ll pass! Ps., This comment thread is hilarious!

Debbie wrote: "Well, I’m torn. I like talkers but I want action, too. Your short review made me laugh. I think I’ll pass! Ps., This comment thread is hilarious!"

Debbie, I think this is a good book with plenty to like about it.
But yes, the characters talked a bit too much and the ending wasn't very satisfying. Maybe give it a go and see for yourself... there's lots of five star reviews of it... ;D

The Writers of the Modern World are Goodreaders (as opposed to "good readers")? Anyway, the reverse psychology is making me curious, too. Rating is well over 4, author is Irish, and characters trying to find themselves somewhere other than California.

Add.

Ken wrote: "The Writers of the Modern World are Goodreaders (as opposed to "good readers")? Anyway, the reverse psychology is making me curious, too. Rating is well over 4, author is Irish, and characters tryi..."

I always find your comments very enlightening, Ken. I appreciate the little tips. Thank you.

And I'm sure you're going to find plenty to love about this novel. I look forward to your review. Enjoy.