Customer Reviews

World Elsewhere: A Novel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

...or were other readers put off by the self-congratulatory, faux-humble erotic obsessions of the narrator? Did anyone else have trouble imagining that this viewpoint was other than an extension of the author's fantasies...all the more icky since he's, like, 4 or 5 times the age of the frolicing tahitian playmates in the book. I don't think I'm a prude and enjoy the racy scene as much as the next reader, but I thought this was spookily voyeuristic, occasionally pedophiliac (is that a word?)

This is one of several books I read before a trip to Tahiti and there were aspects I enjoyed. Bougainville's explorations seem to have been represented pretty faithfully, and gave me a wonderful historic foundation for our own trip. The details were striking enough to stay in my mind even through all the Mai-Tais - and I was certainly ready to forgive errors of first-novel-itis (clumsy backstory opening, occasionally heavy narrative etc.)

But I never did manage to get rid of the ick factor.

I loved this book: Peter Brooks is a fluent writer and the plot keeps the reader's interest throughout. The hero, Charles, is winningly naive; the narrative irony gentle (occasionally too gentle). Brooks' literary criticism made me expect an excellent novel, and I was not disappointed. Bravo, and I look forward to more fiction from Brooks.

I will admit-- upon reflection I see flaws in the book. By this, I do not mean plot holes or the like, for indeed, there were none. However, despite the fact that the book certainly held my interest, the themes and philosophical notions upon which one was supposed to pick up were a little bit forced. Shall we say-- rammed down the gullet of the reader? But I found Brook's prose to be fine, fine. And although the notions within the novel have been explored many times before, they seemed fresher than in other attempts at literary fame than ones by other authors.

I loved this: romantic, thought-provoking, illuminating. A true novel of ideas, sensitively written and astute.

I loved this: romantic, thought-provoking, illuminating. A true novel of ideas, sensitively written and astute.

Maybe because I don't have a good background knowledge about 18th century France and Germany to build on, I didn't see much historical knowledge gained from reading this book. It was OK as a weekend book to read for pleasure. Perhaps because I agree with the idea that native peoples, in general, are better off left alone instead of "converted" to western ideas and customs, this book will not stay in my mind for long nor did it give me food for thought after I had finished reading it.

An intriguing look at a young man's discovery of a new world and a new form of passion. Brooks has delicately chosen a fascinating linear path to carry the parallels between the cognitive and physical manifestations of discovery. I highly recommend this book.

I liked it alot. It was really interesting the way the main character kept going even when he was tired. I recommend this book highly.

This book shows the many misconceptions the European "discoverers" of Tahiti had-- althought the book may romanticize Tahiti a bit, I like it because it shows how little the European's realy understood it: this total incomprehension is the novel's theme, as Charles, the hero, must come to terms with the fact that he doesn't know much. But the author is sympathetic to his young heroes dawning awareness of his own limits, and the Tahitians are very realistically portrayed. Bravo-- romantic and a fun read.

If you are interested in the moist sexual fantasies of a "well-known" literary critic, filtered through his rather conventional political/historical imagination, and decorated with an assortment of Eastern bric-a-brac and thinly masked literary motifs, but practically no plot, read this book.