Pure brilliance - Rated 
To me, this novel is better than Birdsong - and thats saying something. I find SF's prose haunting and beautiful and some of the philosophy wonderful, e.g. the nature of time in relation to a human lifespan and what we do with that time. I suggest you spend some of that time reading this classic of a novel
Star of darkness - Rated
If I didn't know this novel was by Sebastian Faulks I would never have guessed. It marks a complete change of style as it is in a more modern setting to his previous work.
It took me about 30 pages to get into the way the eponymous narrator wrote & from then on I was hooked. I loved the references to real events that had taken place in Engleby's lifetime and also the musical and cultural references made the character come to life as a real if flawed person.
I know the character of Engleby was not warm but somehow I warmed to him in the same way as to my favourite literary character Holden Caulfield from 'Catcher in the Rye'.
This novel is definately in my top 5 of all time and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a thoughtful but darkly funny read. Do not be put off by the emotional detachment of Mike Engleby but identify with him as he tries to come to terms with a world he does not understand.
I personally feel that this will be seen as Faulk's masterwork & recommend it unreservedly
Below par - Rated 
This book was a big disappointment, and unworthy of the author of Birdsong. I found it wordy and heavy, the protagonist unsympathetic, and the plot laborious. The middle section - between the disapearance of the girl and the novel's denouement - was far too long, and I struggled to finish the book. Two stars rather than one because he writes beautifully. But that's the best I can say about a novel which (for me) fails to deliver.
Not a comfortable book - but a gripping read! - Rated 
I'm amazed by the number of reviews on Amazon that seem disappointed with this book because he is an 'unlikeable character' and has 'no warmth', and the ending is 'predictable'. Of course he is and it is - that's the point of the book! And as for the comment about whether at the end of the book, you wonder if you are 'mad' - yes, that's the point of it too! This is not a comfortable book - but it is a gripping read. The book introduces you to the internal life of Engleby through home, school, University and beyond. It explores the difference between our internal sense of ourselves, and the way we present ourselves, and act in the outside world. It avoids simple cliches about people who do terrible things being completely unlikeable or 'evil' - we are invited into the logic of Engleby's mind, and we understand, on his terms, why he behaves the way that he does. I agree with other reviewers that this gets a little 'clever' at times, and the end of the book does seem a little laboured, but don't let this put you off. Despite its faults, it is unputdownable!
Strangely thrilling! - Rated
This is one strange book as its the story of a very unusual individual whom I found myself liking. I began agreeing with things from his perspective but also confused about who he is. The whole book was well written and is one of the books I've most enjoyed reading recently but the lasting impression isn't a very happy one. I have to give it 4 stars for the enjoyment factor but it leaves a bit of a bad taste in the mouth.
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