The Weight of Numbers : A Novel [Hardcover]

Simon Ings (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Canada, Limited; First Edition edition (2006)
• ISBN-10: 0002007711
• ISBN-13: 978-0002007719
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fine Idea - Awkward Structure, March 15, 2007

By 

Chris "AY" (NORTHAMPTON, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Weight of Numbers (Paperback)

There are many good stories here, but I'm not sure they should have been in the same book. Whenever the narrative gained momentum, it came to an abrupt halt as another character (with complete back story) was introduced. I know this was done to ultimately link the characters and stories through the logic of number theory (hence the title), but for me it didn't work. I became frustrated with a book that I really wanted to like and ended up skimming the last 100 pages.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The Numbers Don't Add Up!, June 21, 2009

By 

P. Collins "Cork Book Worm" (Cork) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Weight of Numbers (Paperback)

I bought this book based on many rave reviews by reviewers in the broadsheet newspapers. I have to say that this is the most disappointing book I have ever read. Yes there are some interesting sub-plots/stories in the book BUT in spite of the promise that it would all come together (add up) at the end it certainly didn't for me. I found myself getting closer and closer to the end WILLING the various stories to all come together for an impressive conclusion and was hugely disappointed with how it ended. It was like waiting for a big firework show's final explosions and, instead, there was a quiet phuuuutt of a damp banger! Sorry Mr Ings but in spite of the quality of the narrative in the various stories it led nowhere for me :-(