Rating: 
Summary: A book in full; perhaps too full
Review: The story seems complex when considering all the various characters, however, in relation to events it is quite simple. For 700+ pages I am not satisified with an average book. Wolfe does have an interesting story, but he takes far too long to tell it. Epictetus is used as a source for much of the character development and events, which is probably the strongest point the novel has. The ending comes when he realizes (and that Epictetus is nearly out of advice) this and tries to tie it all up in record time. If you get that far, you will just be glad that it time to move on.
Rating:
Summary: A novel, half full or doubly stuffed....
Review: The jacket blurbs on Tom Wolfe's "A Man in Full" resound with the gravitas of praise from all the usual suspects: eminent voices of "The New York Times,""The Wall Street Journal," et al. Given its bloated length and absurd disunities of character and plot, one suspects that these breathless accolades must stem either from A) four decades of Wolfe's éclat (and the white suits) having blinded the critical eyes, or from B) these cover snippets having been very heavily edited--unlike the novel itself. Either way, the tale limps along, only occasionally reflecting the glory days of Wolfe's productive past -- much like its "ramblin'-wreck-from- Georgia-Tech" main character moves through Atlanta's "New South" social, political, and corporate worlds.Be ready for stereotyped characters, plot lines that disappear without a trace, disparate scenarios that struggle futilely to find connection, the most improbable--and idiotic--plot denouement I've witnessed in many years, and an insufferably supercilious attitude from the author. Oh, and pull out your old college text on Epictetus, renowned Greek stoic, since, evidently, Mr. Wolfe did about halfway through composing this mess. I, a confirmed Wolfe fan, am disappointed at both the inferior quality of this work and the apparent cowardice of the critics unwilling to state the sorry truth.
Rating: 
Summary: a solid hit
Review: Tom Wolfe wrote a fantastic book - okay so the ending took a quick dive. but from the very beginning the descriptions of the different characters grabbed you and as a woman, i had to laugh, because the picture of a man so full of himself and so awed by himself was accurately portrayed. The nuances, the chest thrusting, the sense that as a man in his prime (no matter what age) as a rooster, he will crow and loudly. It was so wonderfully well-written, that i wished about 300 more pages were written. what makes a great book? good writing and character development. a flawed ending yes, but you get your $ worth.
Rating: 
Summary: Like 2 different books
Review: The first 3/4 of this book was highly enjoyable; the last 1/4 was a grating, tedious, fingernails-on-the-chalkboard experience, too the point where it was almost unreadable. The direction the plot takes is bizarre and implausible, but beyond that, there is even a noticeable decline in the quality of Wolfe's writing. It is almost like a different author took over, without being briefed on the character development of the first 500 pages. And, if I never hear about Zeus again, it will be too soon.
Rating: 
Summary: A Man in Full has plots within plots
Review: Many characters with different inter-twining relationships. I liked it
Rating:
Summary: Great read, yet a flawed ending
Review: The first few chapters require you to get into Mr Wolfe's style ("Oh, the humility!","Oh, the humanity!" etc), and whilst I enjoyed the book immensely, the ending I thought was a bit flawed. Don't read this if you've not read the book, but Charlie Croker, in his final decision and the crux of the underlying theme throughout, decides to follow his heart and what his character tells him. But it's at complete odds to the way he's behaved throughout the book and apparently previously. It was more of a change of character more than delving into the heart of his soul. Nevertheless, I could reread it (eventually)
Rating:
Summary: Wanted : Editor for Famous Former Journalist
Review: Oh dear. This book provides indisputable evidence that once you become a Famous American Writer, no editor will dare to tell you when your writing stops being witty and perceptive and becomes instead a tedious, self-indulgent bore. No doubt Wolfe-as-reporter benefited mightily from the editor's pencil and A Man in (Very)Full shows all too clearly that Wolfe-as-novelist has retained this need. Repetitive, fetishistically obsessed with items of clothing, and badly paced, the book nonetheless still contains enough stunning passages to show what might have been. Finally, as others have already pointed out, the ending is a brutally incompetent disaster, a garbled summing up of the characters' fate. Presumably by this stage the author had had enough of his characters and their story, a sentiment many readers will have come to share.
Rating:
Summary: Promise Unfulfilled
Review: The book contains marvelous, larger than life characters, but falls apart at the end. It is as if Mr. Wolfe knew it was time to close the book, but lost interest instead.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable and rewarding read
Review: Really enjoyed this book not only from the point of view as a "good read" but also as a literary work. Haven't seen much else out there with such crisp characterizations, vivid descriptions, good storytelling and the ability to keep my attention!
Rating:
Summary: A Real Masterpiece!
Review: Do you want to know how today's American social life looks like? Just read this book! A great book.
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