Painfully repetitive prose and weird, unlikable characters might seem like a recipe for disaster. However, in this particular work, they manage to achieve something quite remarkable.

They succeed in a powerful subversion of the traditional wilderness survival tropes. It's as if the author deliberately set out to break all the rules and expectations.

The repetitive prose, while initially grating, eventually takes on a hypnotic quality, drawing the reader deeper into the strange world of the story.

The unlikable characters, too, serve a purpose. They force the reader to question their own assumptions and prejudices about what makes a "likable" character.

Overall, this work is a good exercise for the mind. It challenges our thinking and makes us look at familiar tropes in a new light. However, it may not be so good for the soul. The strange and often disturbing nature of the story might leave some readers feeling a bit unsettled.

Nevertheless, it's a work that demands attention and respect for its boldness and originality.

An old book of dads.

I got it when mum was leaving Kyogle.

This book holds a special place in my heart.

I loved it deeply, not only because of the beautiful style of the prose, but also because of the engaging story.

The characters of Paul and Harvey, the brothers, draw me in with their depth and complexity.

We are truly immersed in their world, sharing their joys and sorrows.

It is a wonderful book that explores the relationship between brothers who are haunted by their father.

The themes of family, memory, and the search for identity are explored in a profound and moving way.

This book has left a lasting impression on me and I will always cherish it.

I thought this book would be more suspenseful and thrilling, as per the reviews printed on it.

However, to my disappointment, most of the tension was internal to the characters.

This made the book rather boring for me.

It never fully managed to catch my attention.

I was constantly waiting for something exciting to happen, but it seemed to be lacking that spark.

The story just didn't have the energy and excitement that I was hoping for.

Maybe it was the way the author presented the characters' internal struggles that didn't resonate with me.

Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this book.

I had such high expectations based on the reviews, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them.

I would not recommend this book to those who are looking for a fast-paced, thrilling read.

Tim O'Brien's work, while not on par with his later masterpieces like "THE THINGS THEY CARRIED" and "JULY, JULY", still manages to capture the essence of small-town life with great care.

His portrayal of the relationship between two brothers, one who went off to war and the other who remained at home, is truly captivating. The dynamic between them is complex and nuanced, adding depth to the story.

However, towards the end, the description of the blizzard feels a bit overdone. Nevertheless, this is still a solid piece of work from O'Brien.

One of the things I really appreciate about his writing is the way he uses a sparse atmosphere for long stretches, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the world he has created. It gives the story a sense of authenticity and allows the characters and their emotions to shine through.

On the other hand, the idealized women in this book are not O'Brien's strongest suit. But considering that this was written in 1975, it's understandable. Overall, it's a good read that showcases O'Brien's talent as a writer.

I really liked this book. It wasn't the kind of book that I would usually pick up and read. However, I didn't have any issue with the repetitive way of speaking in it.

In fact, I think it is quite common in real life. We often repeat ourselves when we are trying to make sure that we are understood by others. Maybe we are also trying to convince ourselves to believe something.

This repetitive style in the book added a certain charm to it. It made the characters and their thoughts more vivid and real.

Overall, I found this book to be an interesting and engaging read, despite its unconventional way of presenting the story. I would definitely recommend it to others who are looking for something different to read.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

Maybe 3.5.

I've been reading this in a day. I have truly enjoyed everything else that O'Brien has written. This particular work was his first, and although the story began with a great deal of promise, it never quite seemed to reach its full potential.

You can clearly observe how his writing style originated here and developed and matured throughout his other books. It is definitely worth reading, not only for the story itself but also to witness how he would continue to refine and evolve his writing style in his successive works.

Each of his books seems to build upon the previous one, showing his growth as a writer. This first book serves as an interesting starting point, allowing readers to see the foundation upon which his later masterpieces were constructed.

Despite its shortcomings, it still offers valuable insights into O'Brien's creative process and the evolution of his unique writing voice.

Another book that was salvaged by the last third.

I really had a hard time getting through the first 120 pages. It was a real struggle for me to get into the rhythm of the story. The repetition at the beginning was quite obvious and a bit obtrusive, which made it a bit difficult for me to fully engage.

However, as the story progressed, things started to change. The repetition became less prominent and less of a distraction. I began to appreciate Paul's slow and subtle transformation. It was interesting to see how he evolved throughout the story. At the same time, I also struggled with Harvey's character. His actions and decisions were sometimes hard to understand.

The ending of the book left me with a mixed feeling. It was simultaneously sad and hopeful. On one hand, there were some events that made me feel a sense of loss. On the other hand, there were also some glimmers of hope that gave me a reason to believe that things might turn out okay in the end. Overall, it was an interesting read that had its ups and downs.

It was as if time had stood still, and in a way, she was correct. In the harsh winter, amidst the blizzard, there was no sudden moment of clarity. Everything remained the same, without any epiphany or a sudden burst of light to bring awakening, comfort, or happiness. The old man was still down there, alive in his frozen grave, not truly dead. In the house, the cold persisted, except for patience, Grace, and the pond, which remained unchanged. Harvey was silent. Like twin oxen pulling in opposite directions against the same old yoke, they couldn't communicate, for there was only the long and burdensome history: the town, the place, the forest, and religion, a complex blend of human beings and events, partly a genetic predisposition, and an alchemy of circumstance.

That's precisely how I felt after finishing this debut novel by Tim O'Brien. It seemed as if the characters were trapped, unable and unwilling to change. The war that one had fought in and the other had avoided seemed to have stunted their ability to experience true happiness and growth. Perhaps they could have found happiness and growth if they had shared their thoughts and feelings, as if simply uttering those words into the universe would set them free. But, alas, they couldn't. They would rather perish than speak such things aloud.

One aspect of this book that truly impressed me was its ability to shift the mood with remarkable speed. Just three pages earlier, I had shed a tear after reading this passage:

He did not talk about the long days of being lost. The same way he never talked about the war, or how he lost his eye, or other bad things. He would not talk about it. “Yes, we’ll go to Nassau,” he would say instead. “Where it’s warm. By God, we’ll have us a lovely time, won’t we? Buy a sailboat and sail the islands, see the sights, sleep at night on the beaches. Doesn’t it sound great?”

This passage made me realize that I had allowed myself to forget that many years ago, I had endured near-death treatment to avoid certain death from illness. If I had forgotten that, then I had deprived myself of fully experiencing life. And if I had deprived myself of fully being alive, then I must now fully awaken. At least, that's what I thought immediately after crying. I had to put the book down and drive to be with my girlfriend, as that would be the most lively thing I could do.

However, just three pages later, I read the first passage above and realized that living solely for the rush of excitement, as Harvey was doing during the time described in the second passage, was really just a way to remain stagnant, to avoid growth, and to not seek true happiness. I then continued reading until the end, and now I feel completely content writing this review on a Friday night.

Oh, how fleeting our thoughts and feelings can be. Oh, the power of stories to make us reflect and grow.

The story presents a very convincing characterization, which truly brings the characters to life.

It also vividly portrays the effects of war, showing the harsh reality and the toll it takes on people's lives.

The part where the brothers get lost in the blizzard is extremely gripping. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next.

The description of the blizzard is so detailed that one can almost feel the cold and the danger.

As the brothers struggle to survive, their bond and determination are put to the test.

Overall, the story is a powerful and engaging read that effectively combines great characterization with a thrilling plot.

Northern Lights is the debut novel penned by Tim O'Brien. It is, in essence, a tale that delves deep into the complex relationship between two brothers. They are grappling not only with their own strained bond but also with the memory of their deceased father. At the very core of this novel lies the north woods of Minnesota. The small ex-logging town where they reside is vividly描绘, as is the arduous struggle for survival during a cross-country ski trip through the unforgiving wilderness. The characters within the story are so convincingly portrayed that they seem almost real. As you turn the pages of this book, you find yourself irresistibly drawn into their world, which comes alive with such authenticity that it feels as if you are right there with them, experiencing their joys, sorrows, and the challenges they face along the way.

I had to check this book out from the library no less than 4 times in order to finally finish it. The plot seemed to drag on and on, lacking the necessary momentum to keep me engaged. Moreover, the dialogue was highly repetitive, which made it feel rather monotonous.

I truly have a great affection for "The Things They Carried." That book had managed to touch my heart and stimulate my thoughts in ways that few others have. However, this particular book that I am currently referring to did not meet my expectations at all. It failed to capture my interest and left me feeling somewhat disappointed.

Perhaps I had set my expectations too high, but given the praise that this book had received, I had hoped for a more captivating and thought-provoking read. Unfortunately, it did not deliver on those fronts.