Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just can’t get warm with the writing style. And why is this book about an app called perfection and not about the disappearing part? It is not what I expected sadly.
This book was beautiful but confusing, the kind of confusing that leaves you with more questions than answers. It may be because of the writing, which was particularly engrossing and mystifying. It took me a month to read The Sudden Appearance of Hope, or more like, it took me three nights, with spaces in between. I needed time to think, to take everything in and put it in order. Now that I'm finished, I'm in awe. Claire North has an amazing talent; her books leave you in this quiet wonder that will stay with you for some time. It's truly a shame that her writing doesn't get more recognition. This book may be not for everyone (as I see it), but I was lucky enough to get captivated by the story. It seemed straightforward, a simple premise where a girl has the unlucky ability to be forgotten by everyone she ever meets. In the end, it was everything but simple. 4/5 stars.
reflective
slow-paced
You fear it, no? The dangers of being alone. Of having no one to help you find your path. No friend to say ‘you went a bit too far’, no lover to say ‘you could be tender with your words’, no? No boss to say ‘work harder’ and no shrink to say ‘work less’, no… no society, to tell you how to choose, or what to wear, no… no judgement, to help guide your own? You fear it?
About perceptions and how we should not let society fully define us, having freedom to be ourselves and to have our own choices. I liked the ideas presented, but the book was really boring/wasn't as thrilling as the author's previous works, and it was unnecessarily long.
4.5 stars
This book was unlike anything else I had read before. You “feel” the loneliness in this, you sense the silence Hope feels. At first, it might seen like she has a superpower, but that quickly turns into a curse.
I loved the social commentaries in this. It might be too much for some, but truth is truth. Society’s values have let us down and continue to do so every day, and we allow them.
Great book overall. Writing style is brilliant and gentle, but not flowery, which is exactly to my liking.
This book was unlike anything else I had read before. You “feel” the loneliness in this, you sense the silence Hope feels. At first, it might seen like she has a superpower, but that quickly turns into a curse.
I loved the social commentaries in this. It might be too much for some, but truth is truth. Society’s values have let us down and continue to do so every day, and we allow them.
Great book overall. Writing style is brilliant and gentle, but not flowery, which is exactly to my liking.
(NO SPOILERS)
"Now that I am Hope.
Remember me..."
"What is Perfection?"
Another thought-provoking narrative by Claire North. I am always in awe of her ability to make readers ask poignant existential questions about life. I would say it is a slow building book that focuses so much about Hope's character and along the way, we learn more about the thrilling and scaringly seeming realistic future involving our ever-trying-to-be-perfect society. It features so many provoking questions of how people live their lives and how social media and social classes define our decisions and actions. It is such a good read. A bit heavy in the head but worth it.
It was like a Black Mirror episode again. So. Good.
"The internet gave us all the power of speech, and what did we discover? That victory goes to he who shouts the loudest, and that reason does not sell."
p.s.
I have the most terrible reading slump at the moment...longest slump of my life but thanks heavens I finished this one. ❤
"Now that I am Hope.
Remember me..."
"What is Perfection?"
Another thought-provoking narrative by Claire North. I am always in awe of her ability to make readers ask poignant existential questions about life. I would say it is a slow building book that focuses so much about Hope's character and along the way, we learn more about the thrilling and scaringly seeming realistic future involving our ever-trying-to-be-perfect society. It features so many provoking questions of how people live their lives and how social media and social classes define our decisions and actions. It is such a good read. A bit heavy in the head but worth it.
It was like a Black Mirror episode again. So. Good.
"The internet gave us all the power of speech, and what did we discover? That victory goes to he who shouts the loudest, and that reason does not sell."
p.s.
I have the most terrible reading slump at the moment...longest slump of my life but thanks heavens I finished this one. ❤
This book is seriously weird! I loved the premises of this book, including Hope (a young woman who is forgotten by everyone she meets) and the search for perfection through a smartphone app. However, the writing style drove me crazy, I just didn't find it enjoyable. It felt like a chore to read. I was curious about the ending, which is the only reason why I stuck with this book. But I'm glad it's over!
Great perspective on how our lives become more and more superficial by social media, and how we are invisible if we don’t use them, at least in the big cities. I loved how Claire North criticized modern society and vanity.
Towards the end it fell apart a little bit thought, even though she picked it up afterwards, the story limped and bored me a little bit during the last 60 pages.
Towards the end it fell apart a little bit thought, even though she picked it up afterwards, the story limped and bored me a little bit during the last 60 pages.
A beautiful book that simply wasn’t for me.
Everyone forgets about Hope as soon as she leaves the room. 30s without seeing or hearing her and you start forgetting her existence…. The premise instantly attracted me but I went into this book expecting more sci-fi elements which is my fault.
This book is more of a literary fiction with social commentaries and stream of consciousness. Just not what I enjoy!
Everyone forgets about Hope as soon as she leaves the room. 30s without seeing or hearing her and you start forgetting her existence…. The premise instantly attracted me but I went into this book expecting more sci-fi elements which is my fault.
This book is more of a literary fiction with social commentaries and stream of consciousness. Just not what I enjoy!