Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
36(36%)
4 stars
35(35%)
3 stars
29(29%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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A truly fantastic writer emerged from an unlikely background. This individual had the courage and curiosity to learn from some of the most marginalized and unexpected sources. They spent time with prostitutes, delving into their lives and experiences, uncovering the hidden stories and emotions that often go unnoticed. They also interacted with junkies, understanding the struggles and addictions that consumed them. But that wasn't all. This writer even had the opportunity to learn from Afghani guerrillas, back when they were on our side against the reds. These encounters provided a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, shaping the writer's unique perspective and voice. Their writing would go on to captivate audiences, as they brought these diverse and often overlooked worlds to life on the page.

July 15,2025
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I have this strange perception that bugs and electricity seem to be forever. Bugs, those tiny creatures that inhabit our world in such vast numbers, have been around for countless millennia. They have adapted and evolved, surviving through various environmental changes. Their presence is ubiquitous, whether it's in our gardens, homes, or even in the most remote corners of the planet.


Similarly, electricity has become an integral part of our modern lives. It powers our devices, lights up our cities, and enables us to communicate and access information instantly. Since its discovery, electricity has revolutionized the way we live and work. It has become so essential that we can hardly imagine a world without it.


In conclusion, bugs and electricity, in their own unique ways, seem to have an eternal quality. They are both a part of our lives, and it's difficult to envision a future without them. The end.

July 15,2025
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My enjoyment was cut in half as I found myself reading through the pages.

Every 100 pages seemed to be a chore rather than a pleasure. It was truly a disappointment.

Respectfully speaking, it felt like an absolute waste of time. I had high hopes for this article, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver.

The content was lacking in substance and failed to engage my interest. I found myself skimming through the pages, hoping to find something of value.

However, it was to no avail. I would not recommend this article to anyone looking for an enjoyable read.

It simply did not meet my expectations and left me feeling dissatisfied.

Perhaps with some revisions and improvements, it could have been a better piece. But as it stands now, it is a missed opportunity.

I hope that the author takes this feedback into consideration and makes the necessary changes to enhance the quality of the article.

Until then, I will look elsewhere for my reading pleasure.
July 15,2025
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The original article:
This is an interesting story. It happened in a small town. A young man named Tom was walking along the street. Suddenly, he saw a strange object in the sky. He was very curious and wanted to know what it was. He ran towards the object, but it disappeared before he could reach it. Tom was very disappointed.

Expanded article:

This is truly an interesting story that took place in a small town.

A young man by the name of Tom was strolling along the street. All of a sudden, his eyes caught sight of a strange object up in the sky.

He was extremely curious and had a strong desire to know exactly what it was.

Without hesitation, he broke into a run towards the object. However, to his great dismay, it vanished before he could get anywhere near it.

Tom was left feeling very disappointed.

He stood there for a while, looking up at the sky, wondering what that mysterious object could have been.

Perhaps it was something from outer space, or maybe it was just a figment of his imagination.

Either way, this encounter had left a lasting impression on him.

He would always remember that moment when he saw the strange object in the sky and the excitement and disappointment that followed.
July 15,2025
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I truly love this book. However, it's quite astonishing that not a single person to whom I've recommended it has been able to complete it.


The narrative of this book is sort of all over the place. If you are seeking a story with a high degree of narrative cohesion, then you might as well look elsewhere. Nevertheless, it is, without a doubt, the most cynical expression of environmentalism that I have ever encountered. Additionally, the love story within the novel functions remarkably well as an interstitial of melancholic reality, juxtaposed against the rest of the novel's bitter surrealism.


For me personally, the major selling point lies in an individual passage. In this passage, Vollman describes a train ride (one that I take on a daily basis). The tone and detail of this description are absolutely perfect, yet it lacks context or any kind of macro-view. It is so incredibly intimate and specific that I felt a genuine sense of shared experience, which, in my opinion, is an extremely rare thing.

July 15,2025
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Imaginative doesn't even begin to cover this book.

Not nearly. Straight weird is a start in the right direction. However, I do mean that in a delightful way and not a bad way.

I did find it to be confusing at times, and sometimes even a bit frustratingly so. But most times, it was interestingly so. Nevertheless, it is an engrossing read.

I enjoyed the book. Though if I were the author's psychiatrist, I might explore some med options given the contents of the book.

But, I think the weirdness is the prime reason to read this book. At the same time, Vollmann doesn't lose the story in the weirdness.

The story is still solid, even with the focus on the weirdness, making for a truly memorable book.

It's a unique piece of work that challenges the reader's perception and takes them on an extraordinary journey.

The strange elements add an extra layer of depth and intrigue, making it stand out from other books.

Despite the confusion and frustration at times, the overall experience is one that is well worth having.

It makes you think, question, and explore new ideas, all while being entertained.

This book is a must-read for those who are looking for something different and are not afraid to step out of their comfort zones.

It's a testament to the power of imagination and the ability of an author to create a world that is both strange and captivating.

July 15,2025
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Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.
July 15,2025
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Juvenile and amateurish twaddle. What an absolute drag this was.

It seems that the author of this work read Against the Day and childishly misattributed his enjoyment to his own mind, rather than giving credit to Pynchon's genius.

It's like a kid covering his own eyes and thinking others can't see him.

What's worthwhile in the book could be distilled to a short story's worth of pages, maybe just ten out of the 640+ pages.

To his credit, this is only slightly less than the tally of utterly reprehensible passages in the book. Here, he seems to be attempting to cash in on pure tone-deaf audacity, similar to how other authors might use a well-timed off-side interjection.

In fact, the whole structure of the book reminds me of the way a pre-verbal child will pick up the intonations and cadences of conversational speech and mimic it with nonsense sounds.

Incidentally, this is not the least accurate description of the remaining 620 pages.

Throughout the book, I kept thinking of this line I heard once, somewhere: god grant me the confidence of a mediocre white man.

After spending 20 days on subway rides reading this, I'll never get those moments back.

It's truly a disappointment.
July 15,2025
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Review available on Episode 2 of the VOLLMANNIA Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Episode 2 of the VOLLMANNIA Podcast offers an engaging review.

The podcast delves into various aspects, providing valuable insights and discussions.

Listeners can expect to be entertained and informed as they tune in.

The link provided allows easy access to the podcast, enabling interested individuals to explore further.

Whether you're a fan of podcasts or simply looking for something new and interesting to listen to, Episode 2 of the VOLLMANNIA Podcast is definitely worth checking out.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to discover a captivating audio experience.
July 15,2025
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I am really kicking myself for sitting on this for such a long time before finally getting around to reading it.

I clearly remember that I enjoyed Vollmann's writing from having read the first volume of Rising Up and Rising Down a good decade ago.

However, well, as I'm on Goodreads, I probably don't need to explain to anyone seeing this how easily we can get bogged down in our to-read queue.

But having devoured this novel in just a few days, I now feel like the rest of Vollmann's enormous bibliography has instantly pushed most of my queue aside.

This is because I am absolutely hungry for more of his work.

I am well aware that this book is an outlier in his oeuvre, but his writing excites me like few others' ever since we lost DFW.

His words have a unique charm and power that draw me in and keep me engaged from start to finish.

I can't wait to explore more of his works and see what other literary treasures he has in store for me.

July 15,2025
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I really hate it when Americans lie on the Internet.

It seems that in the vast virtual world, some Americans think they can get away with false information and deception.

Maybe it's for various reasons, such as trying to gain an advantage, attract attention, or simply out of malicious intent.

But no matter what the reason is, their lies can cause a lot of harm.

It can mislead others, disrupt the normal order of the Internet, and even have a negative impact on real life.

We should be vigilant against such behavior and not be easily influenced by false information.

At the same time, we also hope that Americans can be more honest and responsible on the Internet and jointly create a healthy and clean network environment.

July 15,2025
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Probably one of my all-time favorite debut novels, this work is as close as I'm ever likely to see to the perfect realization of the novel I would want to write if I had enough talent. It truly stands out. The author has managed to create a world that is both captivating and unique. The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to discover what will happen next.


I especially appreciate the author's use of language. The descriptions are vivid and detailed, painting a clear picture in the reader's mind. The characters are well-developed and believable, each with their own distinct personalities and motives.


One thing that I hope Vollman will do is rediscover the nasty sense of humor he displayed in this book. It added an extra layer of depth and entertainment to the story. I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us in the future.

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