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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I read this because my little sister told me I had to. I am easily influenced.
First, I was completely and totally infuriated by this book because rotting away on my computer is a story I started about a guy who dies and ends up in a heaven that looks a lot like earth, and he discovers that God basically has no control over anything (He feels really bad about it, but just sort of wishes everyone would leave him alone). Well, there are parts of Elsewhere that are eerily similar to my writing. Oh well. I guess this is a lesson on that made-up word that I hate--stictoitiveness.
Oh yes, I'm supposed to be telling what I actually thought of the book. It was excellent. It's funny and the protagonist is infuriatingly and accurately adolescent. There's just a certain amount of titillation to keep YA readers reading, and yes, I did tear up a couple times. I thought the middle dragged a bit, but I was so enamored of its initial cleverness that I was eager to forgive.
The book also jump-started my desire to organize a lunch time book club with my 7th graders. I have a long list of interested kids, and books are on order. I can't wait.
First, I was completely and totally infuriated by this book because rotting away on my computer is a story I started about a guy who dies and ends up in a heaven that looks a lot like earth, and he discovers that God basically has no control over anything (He feels really bad about it, but just sort of wishes everyone would leave him alone). Well, there are parts of Elsewhere that are eerily similar to my writing. Oh well. I guess this is a lesson on that made-up word that I hate--stictoitiveness.
Oh yes, I'm supposed to be telling what I actually thought of the book. It was excellent. It's funny and the protagonist is infuriatingly and accurately adolescent. There's just a certain amount of titillation to keep YA readers reading, and yes, I did tear up a couple times. I thought the middle dragged a bit, but I was so enamored of its initial cleverness that I was eager to forgive.
The book also jump-started my desire to organize a lunch time book club with my 7th graders. I have a long list of interested kids, and books are on order. I can't wait.
This was one of my favorite books from middle school. The concept is so intriguing and I really wish there were more books that explored this world/idea. Listening to this book as an adult was a big change in perspective. The narrator was much more annoying and bratty than I remembered. The love interest was barely there (and also a little creepy…26 and 15? I don’t care how long you’ve been dead). Overall though I love the world this book is set in. Absolutely recommend.
Ever wonder what happens after you die? Zevin apparently did, and her version of the afterlife involves taking a cruise ship to "Elsewhere", where death is pretty much like life, but in reverse. Oh, and people don't die, because they're already dead.
There were parts of this book that I really liked (the beginning and the end come to mind), but there were also parts that annoyed the hell out of me (talking dogs? a friendship with a washed-up singer/drug addict? communicating with the living through water faucets?). Still, the message that this book imparts on the reader -- about focusing on quality, not quantity -- is a good one, and I like the idea that life and death can be two sides of the same coin. It kind of makes me a little less afraid to die.
There were parts of this book that I really liked (the beginning and the end come to mind), but there were also parts that annoyed the hell out of me (talking dogs? a friendship with a washed-up singer/drug addict? communicating with the living through water faucets?). Still, the message that this book imparts on the reader -- about focusing on quality, not quantity -- is a good one, and I like the idea that life and death can be two sides of the same coin. It kind of makes me a little less afraid to die.
slow-paced
I read this book when I was around 13 and I loved it then. I just re-read it, aged 31, and it’s still just as brilliant ✨
a book where not much happened but it gave you a lot to think about :)
It was difficult to finish this book, but not because it was bad. It was because this book was amazing. I was so upset near the end because of the whole backwards thing. I nearly cried. I didn't want this amazing life and story to end. You should definetly read this book because Gabrielle Zevin is an amazing author and you will fall in love with this book just like i did.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
This book is a fun, light read about what happens after you die. It’s a fresh look at the afterlife.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I should start by saying this book was probably not meant for me. I liked the creativity and it was well written but any glorification of afterlife when suicide rates are increasing just makes me sad. I believe when you die, you die - that's it. So it bothered me throughout that there was this glorification of an afterlife that even the teen protagonist is like (I'm paraphrasing) "I'm ok, I've had a good run, I'm happy here in this made up afterlife, I found love, can communicate with dogs, have a great job, and got to meet my grandma who died before I was born."