Inside Out | Barry Eisler

Title: Inside Out
Author: Barry Eisler


Eisler knows how to write a good story, and he didn't disappoint with the second Ben Treven book, Inside Out. It was good to see the potential tie-in to the John Rain novels (which I will be able to go back to now), and I have missed John dearly.

To be completely honest, this book felt hurried. It's not really any shorter than any of his other books, but there are lots of distracting and careless punctuation errors that normally aren't such a huge presence in his work. Despite that, this was an enjoyable read. I really liked Paula's character, and I was super disappointed that she turned out to be the way she was. I guess the clues were there all along, though.

There is also a really interesting (and not altogether inaccurate, I'd say) take on the state of the American government, and it's fascinating, because it feels particularly accurate now, and this book was published in the pre-Trump presidency world. Hort has a bit of a speech near the end about what the American government is, and it's pretty spot on. The current real-life administration has only proven it further.

Anyway, I wrestled on how to rate this one, but I've ultimately decided 4 out of 5 stars. The plethora of errors nearly bumped it down another star, but the story was so good that I've decided to overlook it. It's still a great story. Maybe Eisler was rushed to get this one out so he could get back to John. I'm not sure what the deal there is.

-------------
READING PROGRESS:
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon: 51%
The Dark Half by Stephen King: 51%
Let's Dance, Snoopy by Charles M. Schultz: 43%
The Detachment by Barry Eisler: NOW STARTING

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Talking to Strangers | Malcolm Gladwell

Image
Title: Talking to Strangers Author: Malcolm Gladwell Malcolm Gladwell's Talking to Strangers is a thought-provoking book that grabs you and doesn't let go, even if it doesn't necessarily convince you. The text explores a variety of intriguing topics, weaving together psychology, anthropology, and even true crime. One of the book's most fascinating sections explores how we misinterpret facial expressions, especially across cultures. The idea that a machine can assess criminal risk more accurately than a human judge is downright shocking. These sections spark curiosity and raise interesting questions. However, the book falters when Gladwell attempts to draw grand conclusions from these disparate examples. For instance, the parallels he draws between police misunderstandings and political miscalculations feel like a stretch. Similarly, the discussion of the Stanford rape case as a "misunderstanding" is rightfully met with skepticism. Despite these weaknesses, Tal...
Read more

Educated | Tara Westover

Image
Title: Educated Author: Tara Westover Tara Westover's Educated is a captivating memoir that chronicles her extraordinary journey from a secluded, isolated upbringing to a world of academia and intellectual exploration. Raised in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, Westover's childhood was marked by a lack of formal education and a deep-seated distrust of mainstream institutions. Despite these challenges, Westover's innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge propelled her to defy societal expectations. She taught herself mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and eventually earned a scholarship to Brigham Young University. Her determination and resilience led her to Cambridge University, where she earned a Ph.D. in intellectual history. Educated is more than just a personal narrative. It is a poignant exploration of the power of education to transform lives and challenge deeply held beliefs. Westover's honest and unflinching portrayal of her family's unconventional lif...
Read more

Cell | Stephen King

Image
Title: Cell Author: Stephen King Stephen King. The name conjures images of masterful storytelling, chilling suspense, and characters that burrow their way into your soul. He's crafted some of the best stories ever written, tales that have shaped the landscape of modern horror. And then there's Cell. About halfway through this book, I remember thinking, "Wow, this must be what diarrhea reads like." And no, I'm not being intentionally crude for shock value. That's genuinely the most apt description I can muster for the experience of reading this book. It's a messy, unpleasant, and ultimately unsatisfying slog. The premise--a cell phone signal turns people into homicidal maniacs--had potential. King is a master of taking the mundane and twisting it into something terrifying. But in Cell, the execution falls spectacularly flat. The characters are largely forgettable, the plot meanders aimlessly, and the violence feels gratuitous rather than genuinely scary. It...
Read more