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bambiilisa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
2.0
Well. I remember watching this movie way long ago just for Kaya Scodelario (my one true love) and even though I don't remember much about the movie, I don't remember hating it. I think I thought it was decent?
But dear God, I did not like this book. Before I Die is about Tessa, a teenage girl who has been diagnosed with cancer. She has a list of things she wants to do before she dies, with sex being a top priority. (However, I'm not sure why the summary of this book puts such an emphasis on the sex part because this is cleared up in like, the first 20 pages of the book.) Working through her relationships with her wild friend Zoey, overly concerned dad, clueless mother, and many doctors, Tessa experiences many ups and downs as she tries to complete the final things on her list.
And uhhh, yeah. That's the majority of it. I think if I wanted to really force myself to like this book, I could say that Jenny Downham was realistic in the way she portrayed teenage love and sex and parental relationships and reactions to cancer and all that, but I just did not care for this book. I found the characters to be so god-awfully annoying that it made it hard to want to continue. The writing was also quite childish, especially at the beginning. Even though it was a teenager narrating the story, it just wasn't good. There were no compelling or enjoyable aspects. Sometimes I forgot I was reading a book about cancer since so much of it was just Tessa doing illegal things and fighting with everyone.
Admittedly, I did cry while reading this book, but that's because it's about a girl with cancer, which is inherently a sad topic--I did not cry because of anything the author specifically did. So yeah, I was extremely disappointed. The only reason I didn't give this one star is because the ending was alright and I guess that's it. Maybe I just am too generous with my rating.
But dear God, I did not like this book. Before I Die is about Tessa, a teenage girl who has been diagnosed with cancer. She has a list of things she wants to do before she dies, with sex being a top priority. (However, I'm not sure why the summary of this book puts such an emphasis on the sex part because this is cleared up in like, the first 20 pages of the book.) Working through her relationships with her wild friend Zoey, overly concerned dad, clueless mother, and many doctors, Tessa experiences many ups and downs as she tries to complete the final things on her list.
And uhhh, yeah. That's the majority of it. I think if I wanted to really force myself to like this book, I could say that Jenny Downham was realistic in the way she portrayed teenage love and sex and parental relationships and reactions to cancer and all that, but I just did not care for this book. I found the characters to be so god-awfully annoying that it made it hard to want to continue. The writing was also quite childish, especially at the beginning. Even though it was a teenager narrating the story, it just wasn't good. There were no compelling or enjoyable aspects. Sometimes I forgot I was reading a book about cancer since so much of it was just Tessa doing illegal things and fighting with everyone.
Admittedly, I did cry while reading this book, but that's because it's about a girl with cancer, which is inherently a sad topic--I did not cry because of anything the author specifically did. So yeah, I was extremely disappointed. The only reason I didn't give this one star is because the ending was alright and I guess that's it. Maybe I just am too generous with my rating.
rosies_elfhame's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 само заради слабото начало, което ме накара да се откажа от книгата за известно време. Когато наближих средата започнах да усещам топлина от тази книга и да мисля за начина по който виждаме света. "Ти си ти, аз съм аз". Последните страници бяха трудни за прочитане в добрия смисъл и ме оставиха в сълзи. Една наистина разтърсваща история, която препоръчвам на 100%.
readwithkiekie's review against another edition
5.0
“I love you. I love you. I send this message through my fingers and into his, up his arm and into his heart. Hear me. I love you. And I'm sorry to leave you.”
Before I Die really causes a lot of tears that are purely unwanted. It's not that I didn't like the characters to cry for them, but I didn't want to cry because I knew that once I started I'd never be able to stop.
I hadn't realised that I had watched the movie prior to reading the book because the movie is known as Now Is Good but I could definitely tell after realising that most situations were the same. If I am honest, I did prefer the movie, but only because Tessa felt more real to life than she did in this book. But apart from that, I absolutely loved it.
“Bye, Tess. haunt me if you like. I don't mind.”
Before I Die really causes a lot of tears that are purely unwanted. It's not that I didn't like the characters to cry for them, but I didn't want to cry because I knew that once I started I'd never be able to stop.
I hadn't realised that I had watched the movie prior to reading the book because the movie is known as Now Is Good but I could definitely tell after realising that most situations were the same. If I am honest, I did prefer the movie, but only because Tessa felt more real to life than she did in this book. But apart from that, I absolutely loved it.
“Bye, Tess. haunt me if you like. I don't mind.”
goodem9199's review against another edition
4.0
Whew. I just finished this, and I am a hysterical mess. I don't think I have ever cried so hard while reading a book. Not for the faint of heart, but definately worth it. The writing is beautiful, and the story is haunting.
cassidywhalen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5⭐️
this book maybe the oldest book I have on my bookshelf. The first time I read this I didn’t complete it and it maybe because when I was younger I couldn’t think about death at all with having a panic attack. now I’m older, finished this in 2 days and could honestly tell you this book is sad.
but you can tell it’s an older book based on the writing style and words used.
kinda wished I had an epilogue just giving me something about her family and Adam because I was left with nothing.
this book maybe the oldest book I have on my bookshelf. The first time I read this I didn’t complete it and it maybe because when I was younger I couldn’t think about death at all with having a panic attack. now I’m older, finished this in 2 days and could honestly tell you this book is sad.
but you can tell it’s an older book based on the writing style and words used.
kinda wished I had an epilogue just giving me something about her family and Adam because I was left with nothing.
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Audiobook narrated by Charlotte Perry
Sixteen-year-old Tessa Scott has leukemia, and a bucket list of things she wants to do before she dies. Number one on this list is have sex. But getting what you want isn’t always easy, and what you want may not be what you need.
Okay .. this is young adult fiction and following in the footsteps of other writers who have dealt with this tragic situation. I had a hard time reconciling the seriousness of her illness with her obsession with behaving badly. Still, there were times when the relationship with Adam was very sweet, and I thought Downham did a decent job of writing the final scene. I can see where it would be popular with the intended YA audience, but it didn’t do much for me. I found it maudlin and emotionally manipulative.
Charlotte Perry performs the audio version well. She has good pacing and uses different voices for the various characters, so it is easy to follow the action.
Sixteen-year-old Tessa Scott has leukemia, and a bucket list of things she wants to do before she dies. Number one on this list is have sex. But getting what you want isn’t always easy, and what you want may not be what you need.
Okay .. this is young adult fiction and following in the footsteps of other writers who have dealt with this tragic situation. I had a hard time reconciling the seriousness of her illness with her obsession with behaving badly. Still, there were times when the relationship with Adam was very sweet, and I thought Downham did a decent job of writing the final scene. I can see where it would be popular with the intended YA audience, but it didn’t do much for me. I found it maudlin and emotionally manipulative.
Charlotte Perry performs the audio version well. She has good pacing and uses different voices for the various characters, so it is easy to follow the action.
anja_the_ineffableegg's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5