Victor Sebestyen

Advantages: the best Ellis novel in my opinion
Disadvantages: you hate all the characters - even the hero!

...okay, so this will be the last Ellis book I review as I'll just start repeating myself. I have to say I enjoyed this one the most, although still being typically Ellis, it had more of a storyline to it, and wasn't as bleak as "Less than Zero" or "The Rules of Attraction", and not as unpleasant as "American Psycho". Victor, the main character is as wonderfully vain and shallow as Patrick Bateman, but whereas we never get to have any compassion for Bateman, for Victor his plight draws you in gradually to feel sorry for him whereas earlier in the book he is easy to despise. How can you describe this without giving the plot away? I know. I won't. A great story of dopplegangers and an inescapable plight. Read it.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Layered, romantic, emotional, amusing
Disadvantages: Quite a dark and uncomfortable read in places.

...The most common misconception surrounding 'Frankenstein', is that the title shares its name with the book's monster. Well in a way it does - but there is more than one kind of monster isn't there? Victor Frankenstein is a young Swiss with an unquenchable thirst for scientific knowledge. As a young man he becomes obsessed with the ancient science of Alchemy, particular with it's branch concerned with the creation of life. The young Dr. Frankenstein ardently pursues his ambition to inject 'life into an inanimate object', and in doing so effectively isolates himself from society. Victor's love interest - the angelic Elizabeth - waits for him at home in Geneva caring for his young sibling William, but he almost forgets her in his obsessive toiling. At the precise moment of success, the enormity (and monstrous appearance) of his creation... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Quite eroticising actually
Disadvantages: Excellent story but bogus ending to it all

...Choke is yet another enviable masterpiece of the Palahniuk dynasty collection alongside his other hits including- Fight Club (Tyler Durden-butt-for-brains), Survivor (the story of a 747 Boeing Jet which is about to smash nose first with the last cult-survivor in it), Lullaby (euthanasing babies) and Diary (his latest novel involving coma husbands) “What you’re getting here is a stupid story about a stupid little boy. A stupid true lie story about nobody you’d ever want to meet. Picture this little spaz being about waist high with a handful of blond hair, combed and parted on one side.” What you’re getting here is black satire to its very best, its take on of nymphos especially revolving around the main character of Victor Mancini. This is a man with problems – not to mention the problems of others as well as his own. Victor... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful