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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
I'm not even sure what to write about this. I'm not even sure what I just listened to. Interesting concept and the beginning had lots of potential, but didn't really go anywhere. Psychics, dead mothers, self analysis, mothers and daughters, meaning of life, and disappearing seem to be the main themes. Well written, but it's seemed to be a story that was building forever but never climaxed. Even the main character didn't seem to understand what was going on. By the end of the book I couldn't wait for it to end.
dark
emotional
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
I didn't feel like this character learned anything from her journey, nor could I understand how the pieces of the journey fit together. There was a lot of foreshadowing without much resulting from this, and often the reader was expected to extrapolate conclusions that were not clear, even when explained. There was no resolution at the end. Maybe this has to do with me not understanding the intricacies of the spiritual/psychic planes, but this book was just not well organized for me. I wouldn't recommend it.
I should know that any book that has any kind of supernatural element is going to be a hard sell for me, and this was no exception. That said, Julavits' writing is top-notch, her imagery is memorable, and she's wryly funny, all of which saved the book for me.
Enjoyed this book, but was a little confused at the end. The story revolves around Julia who is (was) a student at the Paranormal College where she had an honored position as a stenographer to the faculty superstar. Circumstances lead to a fall from grace and then a leave of absence as her health deteriorates. Eventually she realizes that her health issues are due to being psychically attacked by her former mentor. This leads to several plot twists in which she encounters a number of people who want to help her--or exploit her. Eventually, there is doubt about her attacker--and finally we realize....that's where I am confused. There were so many alter egos, regressions, plot twists, etc, that in the end I am not sure who were the attackers and who were the victims. But--I did enjoy not quite finding out.
4.25
Great descriptive language and i enjoyed the concept of it but it left me unsatisfied. Unsettled. The main character doesnt truly want to get better, she wants to hold on to the attachment of her mother, her anger. That doesn't necessarily make it a bad novel, just one that leaves the reader with a sense of : ok this sentiment can reflect life.
She becomes/replaces her mentor.
Great descriptive language and i enjoyed the concept of it but it left me unsatisfied. Unsettled. The main character doesnt truly want to get better, she wants to hold on to the attachment of her mother, her anger. That doesn't necessarily make it a bad novel, just one that leaves the reader with a sense of : ok this sentiment can reflect life.
She becomes/replaces her mentor.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Minor: Body horror, Blood, Abandonment, Alcohol
I'm so confused. I have no idea what happened in this book. It is extremely well-written. That is to say, the author has an amazing command of the language and a talent for imagery. I may have to reread this book to understand it completely.
I gave this one an honest effort and tried to keep going. After hitting the halfway point and still not quite understanding the book or getting into it, I am putting this one down.