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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I would rate this 3 1/2 stars. I did very much enjoy the way the style reflected the character’s mindset; however, there were times that I wanted more detail or more development. The story reminded me of “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” in a lot of ways. Definitely worth a read.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ehhhh
It's been over a year now since I've finished this book I believe, but I still find myself thinking about it constantly.
Though the story itself was compelling and what intrigued me to read this book in the first place, it was really the writing that made me finish it as fast as I possible could.
This book's story and Nathan Filer's writing style is beautiful and mesmerizing from start to finish.
(Spoilers ahead)
I remember reading the chapter from Matthew's (protagonist) past where he was 10 I believe, and stabbed a classmate with a compass needle and having to put the book down for a minute to take everything in. The writing in that particular chapter is what made me fall in love with the whole book.
"There is weather and there is climate. If it rains outside, or if you stab a classmate's shoulder with a compass needle, over and over, until his white cotton school shirt looks like blotting paper, that is the weather. But if you live in a place where it is often likely to rain, or your perception falters and dislocates so that you retreat, suspicious and afraid of those closest to you, that is climate. These are the things we learnt at school. [...] The teacher put on a video, about the weather and the climate. Do you remember the difference? The lights were off to help us see the screen better, so I don't think Jacob noticed me reach into his pencil case and take out the set of compasses. I've already said what happened next. Sorry, Jacob."
I shiver every time I read that particular chapter and while it might've seemed obvious what was about to happen, especially when you know about Matthew's condition, which you do as a reader, I did not see that coming and all the air left my lungs. That chapter took my breath away from the first line to the setting of the scene up until the last two words. This book is a must read in my opinion and I think it captures mental illness and the topic of grief very well.
I also feel the intense need to reread this book now.
Though the story itself was compelling and what intrigued me to read this book in the first place, it was really the writing that made me finish it as fast as I possible could.
This book's story and Nathan Filer's writing style is beautiful and mesmerizing from start to finish.
(Spoilers ahead)
I remember reading the chapter from Matthew's (protagonist) past where he was 10 I believe, and stabbed a classmate with a compass needle and having to put the book down for a minute to take everything in. The writing in that particular chapter is what made me fall in love with the whole book.
"There is weather and there is climate. If it rains outside, or if you stab a classmate's shoulder with a compass needle, over and over, until his white cotton school shirt looks like blotting paper, that is the weather. But if you live in a place where it is often likely to rain, or your perception falters and dislocates so that you retreat, suspicious and afraid of those closest to you, that is climate. These are the things we learnt at school. [...] The teacher put on a video, about the weather and the climate. Do you remember the difference? The lights were off to help us see the screen better, so I don't think Jacob noticed me reach into his pencil case and take out the set of compasses. I've already said what happened next. Sorry, Jacob."
I shiver every time I read that particular chapter and while it might've seemed obvious what was about to happen, especially when you know about Matthew's condition, which you do as a reader, I did not see that coming and all the air left my lungs. That chapter took my breath away from the first line to the setting of the scene up until the last two words. This book is a must read in my opinion and I think it captures mental illness and the topic of grief very well.
I also feel the intense need to reread this book now.
I had never heard of this book and picked it up entirely on a whim. I’d completely forgotten what it was about, but... it was fantastic. I adore unreliable narrators and unexpected plots filled with grief and heart-wrenching emotions. So glad I picked this up!
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a sad book all around. The end had me crying like a baby. I do think its a book the shines a light on mental issues in a different way. I found it really messy at the begging trying to keep up with the different time lines and jumps on the story, but by the end I got used to it.
It's difficult not to be absorbed by the atmosphere of the book.
I felt so sad for the rest of the day after finishing it.
It's difficult not to be absorbed by the atmosphere of the book.
I felt so sad for the rest of the day after finishing it.
The shock of fall and the blood on my knee. I don't know if I got it right but this truly had something in it which kept me reading. It's something entirely new, it's like discovering something extraordinary. I don't even know if all this makes any sense or if it is a "review" but this book just is beautiful and made me think deeply.