Official Review: The Mathematician's Journey

[kfwilson6]

He appears to have confused the courtship rituals, in particular, with the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and as for the dialogue … well, no, let's just not go there. Furthermore, the research that has been done is not worn lightly. Our narrator feels the need to tell us what fashionable gentlemen typically wore during his boyhood; he also tells us about the gunpowder plot, gives us a quick history of Oxford University and recounts a visit to Stonehenge and Avebury. All that (well, OK, most of it) was accurate enough, but it was plodding and dull – and, more importantly, not in any way relevant.

First, I completely agree with the comment about how this review has so much personality. I love it! I laughed out loud when you said "let's just not go there" and really wanted you to "go there." Stonehenge, gunpowder plot, Oxford??? What??? Very odd. I like adventurous historical fiction, but I am just not sure about the oddities of this book. Great review.

[Libs_Books]

Stonehenge, gunpowder plot, Oxford??? What??? Very odd. I like adventurous historical fiction, but I am just not sure about the oddities of this book. Great review.

Many thanks for the positive feedback. It is a shame about those early chapters because it's almost as if the rest of the book (apart from the brief sojourn back in England) was written by a different person.

[AbbyGNelson]

Spoilers at the start is almost never a good idea. The fun of a story is the control of information so that you keep your readers interested and moving through the story. That's a weird choice! Thanks for the review!

[Libs_Books]

Spoilers at the start is almost never a good idea. The fun of a story is the control of information so that you keep your readers interested and moving through the story. That's a weird choice! Thanks for the review!

I agree - there has to be a reason, and I couldn't spot it here. Thanks for reading and commenting.

[Samantha Simoneau]

I agree with Jaime. The title was the reason I clicked on this review. When I saw the word "Mathematician," I thought, "Oooh, what's that about?" Although, I love history, especially books exploring the possible fates of missing people (if you do too, I highly recommend Roanoke by Angela Hunt), so the plot description didn't disappoint me. I appreciate the warning about the first few chapters dragging a bit. I wish more books I have read came with similar warnings, as I've given up on a few when I practically fell asleep in chapter one. Maybe I should revisit those - they might surprise me like this one would. Thanks for the honest review!

[Libs_Books]

I agree with Jaime. The title was the reason I clicked on this review. ... I appreciate the warning about the first few chapters dragging a bit. I wish more books I have read came with similar warnings, as I've given up on a few when I practically fell asleep in chapter one.

Yes, if I hadn't agreed to review this one, I might have given up, too. Thanks for reading and the positive feedback.

[gen_g]

Thank you for your review; it does seem a bit dry for me. However, it seems like a massive pity that Hudson did not do his research thoroughly before writing this book. Otherwise, it would have been a lot more fascinating!

[Libs_Books]

Thank you for your review; it does seem a bit dry for me. However, it seems like a massive pity that Hudson did not do his research thoroughly before writing this book. Otherwise, it would have been a lot more fascinating!

Thanks for commenting. The author is, I suspect an absolute expert on sailing ships, and probably also on tribal life, just not so sure of himself in England.

[Ginnamassa19]

This story certainly sounds intriguing--I'm a big fan of historical fiction, especially stories that extensively draw from the historic background they feature. The writing looks good as well, and I'm honestly relieved that there is little to no mention of Mathematics in it

Thank you for your nuanced review, it was really illuminating!

[Libs_Books]

This story certainly sounds intriguing--I'm a big fan of historical fiction, especially stories that extensively draw from the historic background they feature. The writing looks good as well, and I'm honestly relieved that there is little to no mention of Mathematics in it

Yes, once the author's in his comfort zone, he can certainly write. Thanks for reading and your kind comments.

[BriennaiJ]

I love historical fiction, so I am definitely going to be picking this one up soon. Thank you for the great review!

[Libs_Books]

I love historical fiction, so I am definitely going to be picking this one up soon.

Thank you for your kind comments - I hope you enjoy it.

[Elizabeth Pass]

Sounds like an interesting idea. The problem with historical fiction is that there's something to compare it to. If the reader knows what should be during that time period, then you're not going to fool them.

Your review seems very personable. I feel like you were talking directly to me and telling me about this book. Thanks!

[Libs_Books]

Your review seems very personable. I feel like you were talking directly to me and telling me about this book. Thanks!

I aim to please. Thanks for the feedback

[Sanju Lali]

very well written review and gave gave much more insight into this travel mystery book about Hudson but getting little less rating for this good books was regarding spoilers with misjudgement