A Man in Full

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Summary: A NOVEL IN FULL
Review: This is proof that Wolfe is a true national treasure. "A Man In Full" is quite simply a modern day masterpiece destined for classicdom!

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Summary: A punishing experience!
Review: I opened this book filled with hope. There is no question that Tom Wolf can write but unfortunately he did not possess a brutal editor to go with the brutal writing and cut all that redundant verbiage. Hurricane hair was good the first time. The first time. The first time. I did enjoy the chapter about the rut of Charlie's stallion, First Draw, and found it to be the perfect metaphore for this "tome". I can not suggest this book to anyone that has a life and things to do. Perhaps if I were bedridden and an avid soap watcher then it would be a worthwhile read. Try something else if you are looking for characters with an ounce of depth or just plain old credibility. Was the author payed by the word? Ah, that explains it. The ending remained true to the horse metophore, a tease and nothing more.

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Summary: Scooby-Doo epilogue? C'mon Tom!
Review: I deeply enjoyed the first 700 pages of this book, but then it felt a little rushed. And the epilogue was so immensely bad that I started to get angry. But the rest of the book is very well-written and is worth a look.

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Summary: Great book...poor ending
Review: Having read some reviews written here prior to finishing this novel, I promised myself I would like the ending -- how could I not? I was enjoying this story so much. Advice to readers: if you want to keep this book close to your heart as I did, read up through Chapter 31 and then STOP. The story really ends there, everything that follows is as superfluous as Martha Croker (thinks she is). Leave it to your imaginations to finish the story. Having read the ending, though, I kept asking myself: Why? Why would Wolfe end the story this way? The book is a plausible, engaging, enjoyable read the entire way through. Then it turns absurd, ridiculous, and disappointing. I can forgive Wolfe for what happens to Charlie; but how can I forgive him for Conrad? Conrad, the true "man in full," who (what, saves something like four people's lives throughout the book?), deserved better at the hands of the author.

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Summary: Best first 730 pages, worst last 10 pages, I ever read.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this delicious tome. The characters were interesting and multi-dimensional and I think Wolfe truly understands people. HOWEVER, this was the most unsatisfying, rushed ending to a book I've ever read. It almost made me think, "What was the point?" If the ending had been better, this book clearly would have rated 5 stars. As it stands, it's obvious that Wolfe had a deadline to meet. What a disappointment!

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Summary: Needed way more editing
Review: WHAT a disappointment. The book was way too long by several hundred pages, and the constant repetition of descriptions (HOW many times did I need to know about Serena's cascading hair??? etc. etc.) was really tiresome. Perhaps Mr. Wolfe's reputation discouraged his editor(s) from actually doing their job. A pity. I have no idea what all the raving over this book was about. It was interesting in spots, but overall not worth the necessary investment in time. Could have been a lot better if the constant repetitions and endless descriptions had been pared down, and more effort had gone into the ending.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Wolfe writes arrogantly, repeatedly reminding me what the Deep South (in his imagination) pronunciation is of hundreds of words. And he must be paid by the word since there is excessive repetition of meaningless sounds -- - crutches go clackclack over and over again. Interesting yarn but far below Wolfe's abilities.

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Summary: A terrible let down after Bonfire
Review: This book just doesn't get very interesting. The characters are developed O.K., but the plot just stagnates. Boring is the best way to sum it up.

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Summary: Solidifies Wolfe's position as one of our greatest authors.
Review: This book allows us to forgive Tom Wolfe for the long hiatus between novels. Once again, the reader is reminded of how engrossing and entertaining an "American snapshot" novel can be. The intertwining of characters and plot is complex and fascinating without seeming tedious or unintelligible. Perhaps the feeling that the ending was thrown together too quickly was, in actuality, disappointment that this great story had ended.

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Summary: Slow Start, Good middle, non-believable ending
Review: Highly anticipated reading, some good descriptions of the banking business, alot of boring descriptions of clothes, cars and social circles. Some likeable characters, most are not. It seemed too me the ending was rushed, did the editors say O.K. Tom let's have it?