Confused is the word for this book. I was confused from page one to the last page. It took me so long to read it. I could only handle a little at a time otherwise my focus would start to drift away. I still don't know what was going on. The only reason I'm giving a two instead of a one is the characters were muti-dementional and the writing style was nice. The concept, well all I can say is confused. ( )

I received my copy of Wednesdaymeter as a digital book through LibraryThing in return for an honest review – and one can always tell that my reviews are honest ;). As a result I put it in my First Reads reading list and in with my other ‘review’ books. About 2 weeks I ago I was able to start Wednesdaymeter.

Now, the reason that I mention the fact that I started the book about 2 weeks ago is because, like many people, I only read in the evenings. Consequently, I don’t spend much of my overall time reading, even though I am quite prolific. In fact, I recent read a non-fiction book of similar length in about 5 days. I hope everyone can see where this is going.

As you can see, I, unlike other reviewers, gave this book 2 stars (I reserve 1 star reviews for trash that doesn’t deserve print, let alone reading – I think I have one book, perhaps 2 that low) and I wonder why the others gave this book 3, let alone 4 or 5 stars. Do my fellow reviewers feel entitled to give a free book praise because it was free (I ask because most of the positive reviews didn’t really say anything at all) or did I just totally miss something in this novel? Unfortunately, I have to say the former because many of the issues I had with this book are mentioned or pointed out by the other reviewers and yet they still gave 3+ stars.

*SPOILERS*

Wednesdaymeter begins 8 years in the past in the middle of an action sequence where a character, Amanda, is running away with her stolen plant supply after dropping plot points that the world has become contaminated by dream logic seeping into reality. She is then engaged by ‘reckless plant users’ who have become polygons. Unfortunately, Amanda has made a fatal mistake, but rather than kill her she is to become a career counselor. Now, fast forwards to the ‘present’ and a bland and boring office scenario of the Felid Corporation of New Bensonville where we are introduced to the main character of Pearson.

Pearson is a quality control specialist in a society where polygons are attempting to create conformity, plant use is illegal (as well as, apparently, emotions), and a few people seem to somehow be against the system. Unfortunately, the novel never really explains any of this. We are constantly being introduced to situations, characters, and events that have no background within the story itself and without logic in the narrative. At the beginning it appears that a few of the characters are plant users that have decided to rebel against the system making us, the reader, see this as perhaps an allegory around government prohibition of psychotropic substances; but then things get more complicated, and it turns out that nothing is what it seems. However, unlike say the Illuminatus! Trilogy (which is both way better and way worse), where our lack of understanding is in actually part of the point, Wednesdaymeter just comes off as bad writing. In addition, important plot elements aren’t built, but rather dropped into our laps fully formed like the baby that a stork delivers in old cartoons.

Finally, after sloughing our way through chapters and chapters of unexplained phenomenon and events we ultimately are lead to the climax of the story. Apparently, 4 characters are in fact one. This would be an amazing reveal, but Michael isn’t really a character, Helene doesn’t do much of anything until the end, the Lady in the dream world who talks to Pearson seems to just be a plot point until this reveal, and the Silver Triangle – the ultimate polygon nemesis – is a plot point until this moment. In addition, since this is really Pearson’s story, we should be learning things as he does, but the narrative doesn’t unfold ideas they just appear. Consequently, we don’t learn anything about how the society truly works nor its history until the finale and epilogue, and even these ‘answers’ don’t give us an explanation only clarify certain events in the narrative leaving the reader confused as to how this world and magic system actually operates.

Certainly, as some others have pointed out, there elements of the writing that is good. The office humor is great, and certain aspects of the ‘mundane’ that exist (purposefully) lead to moments which can be appreciated by most; however, these are few and far between. Essentially, this novel reads like a story in a continuing universe that has already had many stories written about it – it is like reading the middle book in a series; for example, reading God Emperor Dune first would be possible since it is a standalone novel, but you wouldn’t understand the plot or character actions without the first 3 novels. Yet, this is the author’s debut novel and therefore there is no excuse for such sloppy or lazy writing. It is possible that Mr. Carnby will improve as a writer and that later books, should they appear, will address most of these issues, but, until then, avoid unless you wish to be frustrated and confused by something with much potential. ( )

This book is a READ. It started off with a little confusing introduction and from there it just lessened a bit. However, it was incredibly fun and entertaining to read. It was really... something else. I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this. It's unique, it's funny, it's quirky, and it's a must-read. Seriously, even when I got confused I just kept on turning the pages because I had to know what was happening. If you've ever wanted to be thrown into a bizarre world, grab this book. ( )

This is a very unique and creative story! This takes world-building to a whole new level, taking normal words and terms and using them in very unusual ways. It is a great read if you really like a challenge and like reading between the lines. In all honesty, though, it really confused me and I didn't understand what was going on. I suppose it takes a different kind of person to really get into this. But if you can, I'm sure it would be great! ( )

"Oh, for the love of beets!" might be the least convoluted sentence in this strange book. The plot seems more suited to a graphic novel making the extensive language all the odder. Just when you're lulled by the verbiage you find yourself chuckling and turning to the next page. Not for the faint of vocabulary or the grammatical purist this book will find it's own appreciative audience. ( )