Reviews with content warning for Addiction - Isaac and the Egg

SPOILERS THROUGHOUT!!!!

Absolutely beautiful. In my top 5 of books I have ever read.

I didn't think I was going to cry until the end, and I just lost it. So heartbreaking but wholesome?? I can't even explain all the emotions this book conjures up, honestly.

I love the different ways that Palmer explored rhe presentation, I mean integrating the wordsearch with the 5 stages of grief in it was an amazing addition, especially since I don't think many people would've taken the time to recognise that they are all in there.

I love Egg. He's wonderfully funny, so sweet and so cute. I love the impact he had on Isaacs life, despite the reality of him, it didn't really matter. I'd say it's effectively a given than Egg didn't exist, and wasn't real but the idea of him being there like Nanny McPhee (lol) was wonderful. When you need me but do not want me I must stay, but when you want me but no longer need me, I must go!! That's Egg! Had me hysterical at the end.

Devastating and uplifting and heartbreaking and every other emotion you could ever feel.

Would like to read this from another perspective that isn't Isaac. Like how would it seem from the perspective of simply observing Isaac and his life?

Content Warnings

citrusboombox's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

krissysbooked's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content warnings: grief, death, suicide, depression.

I know this book is everywhere right now... but it's beautiful so you now have to deal with my gushing about it as well. I was also approved for this on Netgalley quite a while ago but I had a blip in my reading and only just got around to listening to it recently.

The beginning of the story throws you in at the deep end with the main character, Isaac (who would have guessed), trying to die by suicide. But something stops him, a noise from somewhere nearby. He follows this noise until he discovers what looks like an egg and on further inspection realises it's quite fluffy for an egg. The 'egg' emits strange sounds and shocked by his discovery Isaac abandons his plan and takes the 'egg' home.

I am so glad that I opted for the audiobook version of this. Johnny Flynn has a smooth warm voice that is like being wrapped in your favourite blanket and snuggled up on the sofa. It makes me think of reading a bedtime story with a parent or grandparent as a child. His voice draws you in intimately to the story and then makes you jump out of your skin halfway down the road when he does the creature noises (sorry spoiler, it's not an 'egg'). You now look like a weirdo in public! But those creature noises are excellent.

The combination of Bobby Palmers world building and intimate tale of grief, coupled with Johnny Flynn's comforting narration, made me wish the story wouldn't end. The story was hilarious, sad, and confusing, all at the same time, perfectly mimicking the rollercoaster that grief and loss can cause in its aftermath.

I'm honestly tearing up just writing this right now but I don't know how best to convey the strong emotions and love this story made me feel whilst listening, and clearly still makes me feel 2 weeks after I finished.

As the weather is now starting to turn autumnal here in the UK this is the perfect book, print or audio, to be curled up with. Give in to the hype!

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