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Big Machine A Novel Victor LaValle 9780385527989 Books

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Big Machine A Novel Victor LaValle 9780385527989 Books

Kind of a crazy, herky-jerky wordsmithing exercise. Lavalle at times shows flashes of brilliant writing and is able to both maintain and develop the two major characters throughout. The plot, well reviewed and summarized by many others, runs smoothly for satisfying stretches and then veers into a ditch and is badly dinged up--wobbles along on a blown tire and shaky steering after that. The sci-fi element doesn't rear its (ugly? perplexing?) head until well into the story and fails to really fit in with what's come before. There are certainly worthy digressions, some masquerading as sub-plots, like the look at odd religious cults and their effect on adherents and the children of adherents, or peephole vistas at the working poor and their struggles to get by and stay both sane and alive. There was good writing here. And yet, this under-educated, under-employed, chronic junkie (albeit an observant one) main character spills out tidbits of high fashion, haute cuisine and historical references that are simply unbelievable and in fact, takes away from the suspension of disbelief that every storyteller need achieve. In the end my reaction was "Why did he write this? To what end? What purpose does this book serve?" Try as I might, I was unable to answer those basic, but all-important questions.


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Big Machine A Novel Victor LaValle 9780385527989 Books Reviews

Great beginning and a fascinating character in this well-narrated, very odd story. But having finished it, I still wonder what it was about. The set up seemed to suggest something other than what evolved. I keep wondering if I missed something, or if the author was aiming at a readership I'm not part of, comprising people who would have understood due to their own circumstances what the author was getting at. I'll try another LaVelle novel, as this was witty and had its delights. But this one led me down a rabbit hole and I'm not sure it actually led anywhere.
I must preface this review by saying I'm not a science fiction reader- while appreciate any well-written book, the genre as a whole just isn't for me. Exception Big Machine. Victor LaValle's novel describes what happens when Ricky Rice decides to follow the directions on an anonymous note telling him to take a bus to Vermont. He becomes an "Unlikely Scholar" at a mysterious library, which is just the beginning of emotionally intense, unbelievable adventure.

Crazy Good (and at Times Just Plain Crazy)
- The best way I can describe LaValle's writing style is Urban Intellectual- told from the perspective of his main character, who has been around the block a few time (if you know what I'm sayin'), the reader understands that this man may not be book-smart, but is definitely life and street smart (with a few exceptions). I didn't feel as if I was reading LaValle write from Rice's perspective, I felt as if I was truly reading Rice's memoir.
- Rice's back story is just as interesting as what's going on in the present (a cult, heroin, flesh eating cats), which some author's fail to do. Another character's, Adele's, who becomes just as important, background is also divulged and is just as intriguing. LaValle deliberately creates flat characters and well-rounded ones, leaving no doubt who's important.
- One of the most important concepts of the book, redemption, really makes the reader turn inward, forcing them to examine their own values and willingness to forgive (others and themselves).
- This isn't a scifi book that's beating you over the head with aliens or time travel. While there are some visible elements, especially towards the end, the text is scifi in the sense that it presents different explanations and possibilities for how we view life around us and how people communicate.
- LaValle gives credit to Darth Vader.

Nor For You
- If you don't care for different ideas involving religion
- Are turned off by drug or sex references
- Don't want to have to pay attention

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am excited to read other works by Victor LaValle
I'm sort of torn on this book. The writing itself was good. Solid straightforward prose, interesting descriptions, and hearty dialogue. Yet, half of the time I had no idea what the characters were talking about nor what the hell was going on. There are vague references to spiritual and supernatural events. I can detect a religious undertone. I get the whole theme of those alienated by society getting a second chance. But I have no idea their purpose or what they are trying to achieve. The Washburn Library, Solomon Clay, Ricky becoming impregnated, his soul being devoured by cats? Not sure the message regarding any of these things. I'm sure there is a deeper meaning somewhere, but to me it is never really clear. When I reached the end of the book I felt unfulfilled. The book has a very mystical quality to it, which overall is very confusing. Yet the action kept moving and there were side stories that were somewhat interesting. I would have to reread the book to try to catch some of the hidden meanings. Not sure I would want to do that though.
Kind of a crazy, herky-jerky wordsmithing exercise. Lavalle at times shows flashes of brilliant writing and is able to both maintain and develop the two major characters throughout. The plot, well reviewed and summarized by many others, runs smoothly for satisfying stretches and then veers into a ditch and is badly dinged up--wobbles along on a blown tire and shaky steering after that. The sci-fi element doesn't rear its (ugly? perplexing?) head until well into the story and fails to really fit in with what's come before. There are certainly worthy digressions, some masquerading as sub-plots, like the look at odd religious cults and their effect on adherents and the children of adherents, or peephole vistas at the working poor and their struggles to get by and stay both sane and alive. There was good writing here. And yet, this under-educated, under-employed, chronic junkie (albeit an observant one) main character spills out tidbits of high fashion, haute cuisine and historical references that are simply unbelievable and in fact, takes away from the suspension of disbelief that every storyteller need achieve. In the end my reaction was "Why did he write this? To what end? What purpose does this book serve?" Try as I might, I was unable to answer those basic, but all-important questions.