This review is going to be very unpopular. Lily and the Octopus seems to be the 'it' book at the moment, and many readers, bloggers and reviewers I know have fallen in love with this book. I just didn't. I might cop some flack for this but I have to be honest, I hated Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley.
The best parts were every segment of dialogue from Lily the dog. Great voice and amusing dialogue.
The reason I hated this book was because I couldn't stand Ted, the main character. I thought he was a self-absorbed, narcissistic, self-indulgent, vacuous man and I just couldn't warm to him or his plight.
And that was even before I got to the magical realism that didn't quite work and a 30 page dream sequence that had me hoping the finish would arrive soon.
I know I'm going to be in the minority of readers here, but sometimes that happens. This book wasn't for me, but I know it has made readers laugh and cry and provided enjoyment for plenty of others.
I was going to give this book 2 stars until I checked my own rating scheme. Two stars for me means not a good read, didn't really enjoy this one, whereas one star means terrible read, don't bother. I really wouldn't bother with this one and it was a terrible read for me, so one star it is.
My rating = *
Carpe Librum!
I'm so glad to see your review: I thought something was wrong with me when I didn't love this book.
ReplyDeleteI was irritated with Ted's (a grown man!) inability to call Lily's tumour what it was; and the dream sequence had me thinking the same thing that you did - like, "how did this go so far off the rails, and when will I get either to the "good part" or the end?"
I rated it 3 stars - which for me is 'meh' but I applaud your rating.
Thanks so much Debbie, your comment means the world and I'm glad I'm not on my own here. It's hard when you don't enjoy a popular book but you'll always get an honest review from me.
ReplyDelete(Oh, and I hated the part where Ted turned up on his friend's doorstep and said: "pills", and when he likened himself to a veteran suffering PTSD, ugh!)