Customer Reviews

Crowe's Requiem : A Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this book two months ago in Ireland after hearing Mr. McCormack read. Even though I knew that the quality of writing would be remarkable from having heard passages from the novel, I avoided reading it because I thought it would be too dark, too depressing. When I finally succumbed, I was dumbstruck by the the richness of character, the sharply turned phrases, and fluid description throughout. It would have been a shame if the "macabre" on the fly leaf had scared me off before I gave it a chance.

This book was very interesting. I loved how it kept me guessing at what would happen next; it was a definate page-turner. Crowe's character was very well developed and thoughtful. Even from his birth the reader knew he was gong to be a different person in one way or another

I was a rabid fan of this mans first book, "getting it in the head". It lives up to the blurb of being poe meets borges. I was thus dying to read this. Unfortunately, this is a short story that was spun out too long. The central conceit does not "pay off". Unfortunately, McCormack has brought out that difficult second book. I look forward to a more mature third effort.

I happened to pick this book up randomly in Galway, Ireland. I didn't have high expectations from it, but as I read on I found myself hating the thought that I was coming closer and closer to the end each day. I finished it last night and I cried. This is a brilliant new writer and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. This might be my favorite new book.

I finished this book and then read it again. I thought it was brilliant! Mike McCormack is dead on with some of his insights into life, people, love, etc.

Purchased it in Ireland when it first came out and read it while there. If you don't mind a little darkness, it is a good read.

McCormick opens his book with a nice Goth overlay and hints at dark mysteries surrounding his protagonist, but he doesn't end up delivering a satisfying read. Crowe regards himself with great wonder, but this self-regard seems unjustified. He's just a shy kid with long fingernails. He does nothing remarkable and a peculiar illness is the only remarkable thing that happens to him. Those grand mysteries? McCormick seems to have forgotten them by the end of the book.

This book had potential but turned out disappointing. I like McCormack's writing style but the story was lacking. I couldn't bring myself to care too much about the characters or their problems.

I bought this book while in Ireland, and in the authors' hometown. It offers a very unusual outlook on life and love. It is not a paperback thriller, but a book to get you thinking.

I was a rabid fan of this mans first book, "getting it in the head". It lives up to the blurb of being poe meets borges. I was thus dying to read this. Unfortunately, this is a short story that was spun out too long. The central conceit does not "pay off". Unfortunately, McCormack has brought out that difficult second book. I look forward to a more mature third effort.