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Big Machine
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
15 posts | 17 read | 20 to read
Ricky Rice is a middling hustler with a lingering junk habit, a bum knee, and a haunted mind. A survivor of a suicide cult, he scrapes by as a porter at a bus depot in Utica, New York, until one day a mysterious letter arrives, summoning him to enlist in a band of paranormal investigators comprised of former addicts and petty criminals, all of whom had at some point in their wasted lives heard what may have been the voice of God. Infused with the wonder of a disquieting dream and laced with Victor LaValles fiendish comic sensibility, Big Machine is a mind-rattling mystery about doubt, faith, and the monsters we carry within us.
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vivastory
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Day 6 of #21DaysofHorror
Victor Lavalle's Big Machine. Why Big Machine? My fave Lavalle changes day-to-day, it even changes the same day. Out of the 4 full length Lavalle novels that I have read, Big Machine is the only one that I rated less than 5 stars. I recently readjusted my rating to a 5 star rating because I realized I had read it over 3 years ago & still think about it often. Our protagonist Ricky Rice, the survivor of a suicide cult,👇

vivastory is working a menial job at the beginning of the book. To quote the succinct plot summary of the NPR review, “Big Machine is the story of Ricky Rice, a recovering heroin addict, who has been summoned to a mysterious place called the Washburn Library in Vermont. He, along with several other societal misfits nicknamed the Unlikely Scholars, is instructed to peruse archives of newspaper clippings, and to investigate a mysterious Voice that 2y
vivastory spoke more than 200 years ago to Judah Washburn, the library's founder.“ As another review noted, Big Machine (& I find this to be true of much of Lavalle's work) is a genre-bender, fusing satire, noir & horror all conveyed with his tender narration. Although it has been 4 years since his last novel, Lavalle is still churning out work. Most recently he was credited as being the author of 1 of 6 tales in upcoming Horror Noire dir by Tananarive Due 2y
Reggie I have this stacked already but this definitely sounds, “Wow!” Also, I‘m a bit sad I have never read him. 2y
55 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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GreenGrl87
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Pickpick

Finally finished my first book for February (even though I started this one at the end of last month). I give it 4/5 stars. I really enjoy LaValle‘s writing, although at times I feel like going through his works in reverse, I can really see the progression of his skill at getting a message across (if that makes sense lol). I absolutely love his portrayals of ordinary people and lives however, and that‘s what makes this one a winner with me.

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GreenGrl87
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Let‘s have a little fun... I am 🤓 but always 😉

Lisa0223 😕 4y
GreenGrl87 On no @Lisa0223 hope you find the perfect book to pull you out of it soon... 4y
4 likes2 comments
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GreenGrl87
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle

“Was it progress that now black boys and white boys, yellow girls and brown ones, could be born so privileged that they never doubted themselves? So coddled they considered themselves infallible? Pity them. They dive into chaos where others have the common sense to run away.”

Nute Victor LaValle‘s writing is a journey within itself. Hopefully, his day of true” recognition is coming soon, because he has talented writing and storytelling skills! 3y
6 likes1 comment
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Squidapus
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Pickpick

There was something going on in this book that was over Squidapus' head. It had a fantastic premise but the main character rarely moved events along and often just watched others act while complaining. Towards the end the tension ramps up fantastically as more and more comes to light, written wonderfully in alternating chapters from the past and present. But then the ending just happens and Squidapus wasn't sure if he missed a greater meaning

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Squidapus
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Next up is Squidapus' first full novel from Victor Lavalle. He read and enjoyed a number of Lavalle's novellas and shorts so he's interested in how his full length hold up! Guess we'll see!

Clare-Dragonfly Oh man… this is a weird book. I look forward to reading what Squidapus thinks. 5y
13 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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RealBooks4ever
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Whoever owned this book before me must have been a REALLY slow reader. Almost every other page is dog-eared! Boooo! 🚫🐕👂👂!!

vivastory I loved this one! 6y
RealBooks4ever @vivastory I think you were the one who recommended it after I read The Changeling! 😄 So far I'm really intrigued! 6y
vivastory I still need to read The Changeling. I will definitely be making it a priority! 6y
night_shift Definately should've just gotten a bookmark at that point lol 6y
RealBooks4ever @UnidragonFrag I know, right?! 😂 6y
20 likes5 comments
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vivastory
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Cinfhen 😂😂😂 6y
LeahBergen Yep. 😂 6y
Betty True words 6y
See All 7 Comments
rustoryhuf @lizzlehuff Never. Again. 6y
MicheleinPhilly 😂😂😂😂 6y
Maria514626 Done. It‘s on my TBR. 6y
70 likes4 stack adds7 comments
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vivastory
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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The Bible is weird

readordierachel Hahaha. 6y
saresmoore So weird. 6y
Suet624 Yowzer. 6y
55 likes3 comments
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bitterbear
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Trying to organize some of these... #horror #dontjudgeme

emilyhaldi Love all those big chunkers! 7y
bitterbear @emilyhaldi me too.. Horror is my favorite. 7y
22 likes2 comments
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Betty_Bookworm
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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I am enjoying this but...wtf is going on?

bitterbear Lmao... I loved this book but I thought the same thing! 7y
8 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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RealBooks4ever
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
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Maybe I stopped at Powell's. Maybe I picked up this book. Maybe I blame it on @tracyrowanreads . 😆 #blameitonlitsy

Nat_Reads Very impressed that you bought only one! 7y
RealBooks4ever @Nat_Reads If I order online then I can run in, pick it up, & run out before I get distracted by more shiny books! 😆 7y
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tracyrowanreads Heh, guilty as charged. 7y
vivastory His new one comes out Tuesday! It's received rave reviews 7y
RealBooks4ever @vivastory Aww man... I'm going to have to check THAT one out now! 😄 7y
bitterbear Have you read any of his other stuff??? 7y
bitterbear @vivastory Tuesday!!!!! EEEEEEE!!! Finally!! 7y
vivastory @bitterbear Right?! I requested it at the library, but I'm thinking about buying it on Tuesday. 7y
RealBooks4ever @bitterbear I haven't but he's been on my radar for awhile! 7y
bitterbear My favorite... 7y
RealBooks4ever @bitterbear That one sounds like my cuppa too! Always interested in stories addressing mental health! 😻 7y
16 likes1 stack add14 comments
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tracyrowanreads
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle

I would read anything by Victor LaValle. I'm just sayin'.

RealBooks4ever Omg, I've got this one on my tbr and I don't know why I haven't read it yet! It sounds fantastic! 💜 7y
tracyrowanreads @RealBooks4ever Everything I've ever read of LaValle's has been well written and involving. 7y
10 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Nancethepants
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
Mehso-so

Characters and premise jumped off the page and flew me to a completely different (to me) world, almost making up for the ending. Nothing wrong with a little mystery, but I like to at least know what my antagonists' motivations really are, and whether cunning or dumb luck makes them so formidable.

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Karen
Big Machine: A Novel | Victor LaValle
Pickpick

Great book!