Review of Cooperative Lives
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Matlhogonolo Dibetso
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Review of Cooperative Lives
[Following is a volunteer review of "Cooperative Lives" by Patrick Finegan.]
Cooperative Lives by Patrick Finegan is an ever-evolving matrix of stories about a group of residents living in a co-op building scheme in New York. They range in life stages from around middle age to retirement. Their lives are defined by varied circumstances ranging from widowed to still married, well-kept to getting by. You learn about each of the characters’ colorful backgrounds, and the effects of their interactions through friendships, rumors, and chance encounters. They share a jaw-dropping mix of secrets, cover-ups, sadness, affairs, and adventure between them.
I love the detailed pictures that the author paints with his words. You get to know most of the characters well because you’re privy to their thought process. I found myself thinking ‘hmm, I know this guy, I hope he doesn’t do what I think he will’… but then he does! So it’s wonderful to be able to identify with the characters not just because of a great description, but rather because I know them so well from swimming around in their heads.
I found the book to be a very witty, quick, and clever read. Small comments here and there keep the book on a consistently fast-moving, absorbing track. There are quite a few unexpected twists, and the writing- in terms of both content and style- has a uniquely intelligent flavor to it.
The time stamps throughout the book are very helpful in navigating the event timeline. I also appreciated that the book rounded all the stories off in a very satisfying way. Yet it still manages to have a nice twist at the very end.
I don’t want to admit this, but at times, big, uncommon words create a pause and disturb the flow of the book, tipping it from intelligent to slightly annoying! I think that my vocabulary borders on average, but was rendered inadequate for reading this book with ease in some places.
The many details, dates, and facts about background situations can be overwhelming and difficult to absorb at times. Flipping through too many brains all at once, at a very fast pace, and along different timelines gets confusing if you’re not in the headspace to read in full focus. It can feel like a history lesson, followed by the news, and then a drama unfolds, all on one page.
I’m rating this book a 3 out of 4 stars because it is so cleverly, carefully, and yet beautifully written. Sometimes though, the pace and volume get too much for an average-brained person and I found myself wishing the words and visuals were a little more simple.
This book is a fast-paced and complex read, so is best enjoyed if you want to slow down, and focus on other people's lives for a while. It’s also great for those who enjoy history in different forms, enjoy watching news channels, are maybe proud of the extent of their worldly knowledge, and have a fairly wide vocabulary.
I think it’s most suitable for an adult audience, who can comprehend and process the events and references in the book. It’s not suitable for children and teens, as it does contain some slightly sexual material and crude language. If you’re a young adult you might enjoy it if you find your parents interesting.
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Cooperative Lives
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Cooperative Lives by Patrick Finegan is an ever-evolving matrix of stories about a group of residents living in a co-op building scheme in New York. They range in life stages from around middle age to retirement. Their lives are defined by varied circumstances ranging from widowed to still married, well-kept to getting by. You learn about each of the characters’ colorful backgrounds, and the effects of their interactions through friendships, rumors, and chance encounters. They share a jaw-dropping mix of secrets, cover-ups, sadness, affairs, and adventure between them.
I love the detailed pictures that the author paints with his words. You get to know most of the characters well because you’re privy to their thought process. I found myself thinking ‘hmm, I know this guy, I hope he doesn’t do what I think he will’… but then he does! So it’s wonderful to be able to identify with the characters not just because of a great description, but rather because I know them so well from swimming around in their heads.
I found the book to be a very witty, quick, and clever read. Small comments here and there keep the book on a consistently fast-moving, absorbing track. There are quite a few unexpected twists, and the writing- in terms of both content and style- has a uniquely intelligent flavor to it.
The time stamps throughout the book are very helpful in navigating the event timeline. I also appreciated that the book rounded all the stories off in a very satisfying way. Yet it still manages to have a nice twist at the very end.
I don’t want to admit this, but at times, big, uncommon words create a pause and disturb the flow of the book, tipping it from intelligent to slightly annoying! I think that my vocabulary borders on average, but was rendered inadequate for reading this book with ease in some places.
The many details, dates, and facts about background situations can be overwhelming and difficult to absorb at times. Flipping through too many brains all at once, at a very fast pace, and along different timelines gets confusing if you’re not in the headspace to read in full focus. It can feel like a history lesson, followed by the news, and then a drama unfolds, all on one page.
I’m rating this book a 3 out of 4 stars because it is so cleverly, carefully, and yet beautifully written. Sometimes though, the pace and volume get too much for an average-brained person and I found myself wishing the words and visuals were a little more simple.
This book is a fast-paced and complex read, so is best enjoyed if you want to slow down, and focus on other people's lives for a while. It’s also great for those who enjoy history in different forms, enjoy watching news channels, are maybe proud of the extent of their worldly knowledge, and have a fairly wide vocabulary.
I think it’s most suitable for an adult audience, who can comprehend and process the events and references in the book. It’s not suitable for children and teens, as it does contain some slightly sexual material and crude language. If you’re a young adult you might enjoy it if you find your parents interesting.
******
Cooperative Lives
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Unfakeable Code® by Tony Jeton Selimi
