The Bloggerblaster reviews AWAKE IN THE NIGHT LAND:
Moments ago I finished Awake in the Night Land by John C. Wright.
As I sit to give you my thoughts on it… the first thing that comes to
mind is a question. How does one review… or critique… something
like this? I am unfit.One does not critique the great works of literature. One appreciates
them. You define good and bad by them. Good and bad do not apply to
them….I would offer some advice to the reader. Read with patience. Each
story builds upon the last. You will have questions and frustrations as
you go. Keep going. The struggle of the climb improves the view from
the top.
One theme that keeps reoccurring in reviews is how the book forces them think about it afterwards. To me, that is one of the hallmarks of greatness in literature; one of Maupassant’s haunting stories, his best, in my opinion, once left me staring at the ceiling for nearly an hour.
It may strike you that this isn’t how we usually talk about one of my books, or one of Tom’s books, or one of Larry’s books. It’s not how we talk about the books we publish. It’s not how we talk about the award-winning stuff, be the awards merited or unmerited. This is one of those rare occasions when one discovers, much to one’s surprise, that one has stumbled upon genuine and timeless greatness concerning the observation of the human condition.
The book’s one four-star reviewer declared he only gives out five stars to Shakespeare… then thought about it and gave the book five stars anyway. If you’ve read my book reviews, you know I tend to grade on the severe side, I rarely give out anything above an 8/10, and yet, I don’t hesitate to tell you that this book rates 10/10. If you believe me, then read it. And if you don’t believe me, then read it and afterwards tell us precisely where and how you believe it somehow falls short.