Review of Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
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Mihaela Bobic
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- Latest Review: Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise by John K Danenbarger
Review of Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
[Following is a volunteer review of "Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise" by John K Danenbarger.]
In Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise, by John K Danenbarger, there is no single main character. Instead, each chapter explores the perspective of a different character, alternating between them at key points in the story. The book starts out slowly, introducing the crooked lives of each unfortunate soul and then snowballs into a doomed, entangled fate spanning many decades, from about 1984 to about 2044. Each of the protagonists - Beth, Joe, Kevin, Geena, Martin, Ellen and Cricket have their own personality and a part to play. They are all connected in one way or another, often in unexpected ways. This is a story with no real answers, and if there is one, it is hidden deep between the words, sentences, paragraphs and chapters. Perhaps the ambiguity, in itself, is what demonstrates the concept of 'Quantum Entanglement'.
What I liked in this book the most were the characters. Some I liked for who they are, like Beth and Joe, others I enjoyed for what they meant to represent and portray, such as Kevin. I also appreciated the deep and unexpected connections between the characters. It is commendable that the author seems to have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and concepts. I even learned what a 'megalodon' and a 'bony-eared assfish' is.
As for the things I did not like...I did like most of the characters and their portrayal, but there were times when some of them and their actions were too much for me. The line between 'good' and 'evil' is very thin, if it even exists. There are sensitive subjects within this book, such as adultery, age gaps between lovers, murder, explicit vocabulary, and more. These could pose as more neutral, or even positive aspects of the book, depending on the reader. I am also a bit disappointed that the conclusion to the book is not quite in harmony with my expectations of the plot as a reader. This, again, is disputable. Another point is that the language felt a bit convoluted or ambiguous at numerous points, with complex phrases spanning many lines at a time. The message was lost on me because of this sometimes.
Perhaps Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise would appeal the most to more mature and well-read readers, and those who like dark humor and don't mind sensitive subjects. Most of all, it is best for those who can enjoy the journey rather than the destination.
To be honest, I was not sure what rating to settle on for this book. In the beginning it was pretty low for me, as the book started slow, then my opinion raised as it reached the climax, then it fell flat in the conclusion. If I could give it a more accurate rating, it would be somewhere in between two and three stars. But I do believe in its potential, despite its shortcomings. This book haunted my mind. In the end, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars.
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Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise, by John K Danenbarger, there is no single main character. Instead, each chapter explores the perspective of a different character, alternating between them at key points in the story. The book starts out slowly, introducing the crooked lives of each unfortunate soul and then snowballs into a doomed, entangled fate spanning many decades, from about 1984 to about 2044. Each of the protagonists - Beth, Joe, Kevin, Geena, Martin, Ellen and Cricket have their own personality and a part to play. They are all connected in one way or another, often in unexpected ways. This is a story with no real answers, and if there is one, it is hidden deep between the words, sentences, paragraphs and chapters. Perhaps the ambiguity, in itself, is what demonstrates the concept of 'Quantum Entanglement'.
What I liked in this book the most were the characters. Some I liked for who they are, like Beth and Joe, others I enjoyed for what they meant to represent and portray, such as Kevin. I also appreciated the deep and unexpected connections between the characters. It is commendable that the author seems to have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and concepts. I even learned what a 'megalodon' and a 'bony-eared assfish' is.
As for the things I did not like...I did like most of the characters and their portrayal, but there were times when some of them and their actions were too much for me. The line between 'good' and 'evil' is very thin, if it even exists. There are sensitive subjects within this book, such as adultery, age gaps between lovers, murder, explicit vocabulary, and more. These could pose as more neutral, or even positive aspects of the book, depending on the reader. I am also a bit disappointed that the conclusion to the book is not quite in harmony with my expectations of the plot as a reader. This, again, is disputable. Another point is that the language felt a bit convoluted or ambiguous at numerous points, with complex phrases spanning many lines at a time. The message was lost on me because of this sometimes.
Perhaps Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise would appeal the most to more mature and well-read readers, and those who like dark humor and don't mind sensitive subjects. Most of all, it is best for those who can enjoy the journey rather than the destination.
To be honest, I was not sure what rating to settle on for this book. In the beginning it was pretty low for me, as the book started slow, then my opinion raised as it reached the climax, then it fell flat in the conclusion. If I could give it a more accurate rating, it would be somewhere in between two and three stars. But I do believe in its potential, despite its shortcomings. This book haunted my mind. In the end, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise by John K Danenbarger
