This Is Not Civilization
by Robert Rosenberg
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Book Summary Information
Author: Robert RosenbergEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-04-12
ISBN: 0618562060
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Mariner Books
Book Reviews of This Is Not Civilization
Book Review: A big disappointment
Summary: 2 Stars
This is Not Civilization starts off on the right foot by setting up the story line, populating it with interesting people, and setting it in an exotic and intriguing locale. And though it chugged along with a good deal of potential, before very long it started to come unraveled, and by the end it was a train wreck of a book.
First, the good news. Rosenberg clearly knows his material, having experienced Kyrgyzstan, the reservation at Red Cliff, and Istanbul. He also writes well. Unfortunately those are the book's only strengths. Frequently it seemed as if the author was simply looking for an excuse to share as many minute details about those places as possible, even when it was not necessary or even appropriate. When done well, this kind of fiction can make the reader feel like he's actually there. In this case it made me feel like I was listening to someone brag about how well traveled he his and how much he knows about other cultures and places.
One of the book's biggest shortcomings is that it is impossible to sympathize with any of the characters, with the possible exception of Nazira. Everyone else is so shallow, selfish, and self-pitying that I found myself completely annoyed with them. Or they simply aren't in the story enough to form an opinion one way or the other. Then there's the fact that the book begins with one protagonist - Jeff - but then ends up with two - Jeff and Adam. In fact, Adam becomes a more central character than Jeff by the end of the story for no apparent good reason.
Numerous events occur in the story that sometimes seem significant when they occur but that ultimately amount to nothing. The same could be said for the entire book. There is really no climax or resolution of any kind. Nothing happens to any of the characters that makes us care more about them or sympathize with them, and even the one major tragedy that occurs (I won't spoil it for you) isn't handled very well by the author and doesn't have the kind of impact it might.
The romance that develops in Istanbul (again, I won't spoil it for you) is utterly implausible and uncompelling. I found it impossible to visualize the two people in question being in love with each other, especially because we're given no good reason to even care about one of them. It was just too forced.
Overall this book was a big disappointment on many levels. It's just not a good story, however good the writing may be.
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