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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am going to begin this review by linking to another review that mostly elucidated my feelings about this book ( http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/Claire-North/The-Sudden-Appearance-of-Hope.html )
The attached review nails so many aspects of the novel that the only thing point of disagreement for me personally was the idea that it lacks a degree of adventure (sacrificed to character development) I found the two things nicely balanced with an under running tension that in some passages/parts leap to the fore as you wonder how she is going to get herself out of a threatening situation.
Over recent years I have found it sometimes difficult to immerse myself into a non stop reading flow for novels the way I used to- I suspect that too much internet and article reading has changed how my brain approaches reading: Non Fiction, with its sharper more defined bursts of information presentation, is fine but following a long smooth plot now sometimes induces a need to put down and focus on multiple other things before returning to the book. I found that this book turned out to be perfect for this more easily distracted style and in the process absorbed my attention so much that I forgot my freshly made coffee - And I love coffee with an unholy amount of multi-sensory pleasure.
I definitely agree that it is a novel that doesn't immediately get the reader into the tension of the story line as the stream of thought pattern of elegantly truncated, yet intertwined, passages make for a non linear start and the reader is not presented with an explanatory plot background to situate them as to what is happening and why. However, if you embrace the initial passages as vividly written scene pieces, then as the novel flows on you come to a point of naturally being able to place the character and how she has got to her point - plus there is also the tease of the opening lines whose meaning is resolved towards the end.
Chapter 1
"They said, when they died, that all they could hear was the screaming.
I run ink across the page, watch the world through the windows of the train, grey clouds over Scotland, and though the screaming continues still, it does not bother me. Not any more.
I write this to be remembered. Will you judge me, in reading this? Who are you? Liar, cheat, lover, thief, husband, wife, mother, daughter, friend, enemy, policeman, doctor, teacher, child, killer, priest? I find myself almost more excited by you than I am by myself, whoever you might be.
Whoever you are: these are my words.
This is my truth.
Listen, listen remember me."
The attached review nails so many aspects of the novel that the only thing point of disagreement for me personally was the idea that it lacks a degree of adventure (sacrificed to character development) I found the two things nicely balanced with an under running tension that in some passages/parts leap to the fore as you wonder how she is going to get herself out of a threatening situation.
Over recent years I have found it sometimes difficult to immerse myself into a non stop reading flow for novels the way I used to- I suspect that too much internet and article reading has changed how my brain approaches reading: Non Fiction, with its sharper more defined bursts of information presentation, is fine but following a long smooth plot now sometimes induces a need to put down and focus on multiple other things before returning to the book. I found that this book turned out to be perfect for this more easily distracted style and in the process absorbed my attention so much that I forgot my freshly made coffee - And I love coffee with an unholy amount of multi-sensory pleasure.
I definitely agree that it is a novel that doesn't immediately get the reader into the tension of the story line as the stream of thought pattern of elegantly truncated, yet intertwined, passages make for a non linear start and the reader is not presented with an explanatory plot background to situate them as to what is happening and why. However, if you embrace the initial passages as vividly written scene pieces, then as the novel flows on you come to a point of naturally being able to place the character and how she has got to her point - plus there is also the tease of the opening lines whose meaning is resolved towards the end.
Chapter 1
"They said, when they died, that all they could hear was the screaming.
I run ink across the page, watch the world through the windows of the train, grey clouds over Scotland, and though the screaming continues still, it does not bother me. Not any more.
I write this to be remembered. Will you judge me, in reading this? Who are you? Liar, cheat, lover, thief, husband, wife, mother, daughter, friend, enemy, policeman, doctor, teacher, child, killer, priest? I find myself almost more excited by you than I am by myself, whoever you might be.
Whoever you are: these are my words.
This is my truth.
Listen, listen remember me."
I really wanted to love this book, and I thought the premise would be so interesting! The beginning of the book was fair enough, but then it just got worse and worse as it went on. The plot was predominantly about an app called 'Perfection' that Hope seeks to destroy. It was not, as I had thought, about her condition upon which she is not remembered by anyone.
The characters were uninspiring, I couldn't find myself to like let alone care about any of them. If that wasn't enough to make me disinterested, the writing was terrible; choppy, confused, bland, and boring. If I had to read 'macarena' or 'fuckity fuck fuck' one more time... save yourself, and don't read this book. Thank god it's finally over.
The characters were uninspiring, I couldn't find myself to like let alone care about any of them. If that wasn't enough to make me disinterested, the writing was terrible; choppy, confused, bland, and boring. If I had to read 'macarena' or 'fuckity fuck fuck' one more time... save yourself, and don't read this book. Thank god it's finally over.
I read it in 3 days (it’s a long ass book) but ended up annoyed about 2/3 through. The book didn’t need to be that long. I started skimming the disjointed pages of...reflections? I’m not sure what the point was. Also, it irritated me that Hope is supposedly mixed, but her race never comes into play in her interactions with people. It’s just not an accurate representation of being mixed race in this world
It was wonderful, intriguing and a great read. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters were all so multi-faceted and real.
I love the things Claire North comes up with. Time travel via being re-born again and again, a person who can shift from person to person by skin contact like a soul hermit crab, a person with an instantly forgettable face.
For me, she's one of those authors who I hunt for new books when I browse a book shop (on the off-chance a newly published Claire North book was published and not announced anywhere on the internet).
I enjoyed this one, but not nearly as much as Harry August or Touch, and I think it's because Ms. North did almost *too* good a job with her character. Hope is almost instantly forgotten by the people she meets, once she passes outside their conscious perception. As a result, you have a character who has an incredibly difficult time making meaningful personal connections, but is excellent at first impressions, because she gets so many attempts at them. Because of this trait, throughout much of the book, you, too, dredge up the same old introductions, that sense of disconnection each time you meet someone. The story is told at arm's length because this is how the world holds Hope. I think it's brilliantly executed, from a technical point of view, but, as a result, I felt less invested in the story and even a little frustrated with it, at times, unlike her other novels, which engaged and immersed you in her characters lives. But you can't be disappointed, in a way, because this is *exactly* how Hope Arden must feel, being so forgettable.
So while I was impressed with the technical devotion to the concept of the novel, it didn't quite click for me the way Ms. North's stories usually do. But I'm still on the lookout for her next one ("The End of the Day", out now) when I go browsing bookshops.
For me, she's one of those authors who I hunt for new books when I browse a book shop (on the off-chance a newly published Claire North book was published and not announced anywhere on the internet).
I enjoyed this one, but not nearly as much as Harry August or Touch, and I think it's because Ms. North did almost *too* good a job with her character. Hope is almost instantly forgotten by the people she meets, once she passes outside their conscious perception. As a result, you have a character who has an incredibly difficult time making meaningful personal connections, but is excellent at first impressions, because she gets so many attempts at them. Because of this trait, throughout much of the book, you, too, dredge up the same old introductions, that sense of disconnection each time you meet someone. The story is told at arm's length because this is how the world holds Hope. I think it's brilliantly executed, from a technical point of view, but, as a result, I felt less invested in the story and even a little frustrated with it, at times, unlike her other novels, which engaged and immersed you in her characters lives. But you can't be disappointed, in a way, because this is *exactly* how Hope Arden must feel, being so forgettable.
So while I was impressed with the technical devotion to the concept of the novel, it didn't quite click for me the way Ms. North's stories usually do. But I'm still on the lookout for her next one ("The End of the Day", out now) when I go browsing bookshops.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Character development was top notch, description of various settings really revved up my imagination. The story of Hope and Perfection is absolutely fantastic.
A few slow bits though. And honestly, this book could have even been 100 pages shorter and would have retained its marvel.
A few slow bits though. And honestly, this book could have even been 100 pages shorter and would have retained its marvel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Violence
A fascinating idea - thoroughly thought through and well executed. An absorbing speculation offering a glimpse into the life of a person that everyone forgets. There are echoes of Groundhog Day here, except without the repetition of time and events. Hope has the ability to make a dozen first impressions, trying again until she gets it right. She can wriggle through the usual rules, safe in the knowledge that anyone who sees her will immediately forget her. But on the other hand, accomplishing anything that requires an association of more than one meeting is impossible. She is utterly alone.
With Hope's chosen (and somewhat necessary) career as a thief, the book contained a lot of suspense and excitement. This, more than anything kept me reading. Had it not been for the gripping plot, I might have been discouraged due to the fact that much of the book is a lament of loneliness. She is brilliant, skilled, knowledgeable but utterly alone. She pines for the people who could have been friends and lovers, torturing herself by following them around and having several first meetings with all of them, but ultimately being forced to let them all go. The few people who try to get to know her or study her are forced to rely on their own notes and recordings to convince themselves of having met her before. There is a suggestion that she is better off, because the total lack of emotional ties makes her independent from society. However, she does not believe this herself and part of the book she is focused on finding a "cure", which (as with anyone who has a special talent and no friends) ultimately ends with her being exploited.
The style of writing takes some getting used to. It is written almost like a stream of consciousness novel, with thoughts, observations, facts and lists being interspersed in the narrative. Hope talks to herself all the time and also counts random things as a way to remain calm and maintain her equilibrium. However, once you get used to the writing, it's fairly easy to follow, and one can skip sections that seem unnecessary. It also seems to contain a lot of commentary on the modern world and how everything is monitored through social media and how people feel pressured to conform to society's ideals of being perfect. In the end I wasn't quite sure whether the book was trying to make a serious comment about these things or whether they were simply a plot device to give the characters something to strive for.
A very well-written book, but hard to engage with and from my perspective, not ultimately satisfying.
With Hope's chosen (and somewhat necessary) career as a thief, the book contained a lot of suspense and excitement. This, more than anything kept me reading. Had it not been for the gripping plot, I might have been discouraged due to the fact that much of the book is a lament of loneliness. She is brilliant, skilled, knowledgeable but utterly alone. She pines for the people who could have been friends and lovers, torturing herself by following them around and having several first meetings with all of them, but ultimately being forced to let them all go. The few people who try to get to know her or study her are forced to rely on their own notes and recordings to convince themselves of having met her before. There is a suggestion that she is better off, because the total lack of emotional ties makes her independent from society. However, she does not believe this herself and part of the book she is focused on finding a "cure", which (as with anyone who has a special talent and no friends) ultimately ends with her being exploited.
The style of writing takes some getting used to. It is written almost like a stream of consciousness novel, with thoughts, observations, facts and lists being interspersed in the narrative. Hope talks to herself all the time and also counts random things as a way to remain calm and maintain her equilibrium. However, once you get used to the writing, it's fairly easy to follow, and one can skip sections that seem unnecessary. It also seems to contain a lot of commentary on the modern world and how everything is monitored through social media and how people feel pressured to conform to society's ideals of being perfect. In the end I wasn't quite sure whether the book was trying to make a serious comment about these things or whether they were simply a plot device to give the characters something to strive for.
A very well-written book, but hard to engage with and from my perspective, not ultimately satisfying.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, this didn't turn out to what I thought it would be.
But wow, another brilliant story by Claire North.
Mostly, we have seen art and read literature about how one shouldn't confirm to society. We are encouraged to follow our train of thoughts and marvel in our own individualism. Be you. Be original.
And who could deny that? It's a perfect theory to practice.
But then there's Hope Arden. She's forgettable. And because she doesn't exist for the world in its past or its future, she's basically not a part of it. She's only part of our now. So is she lucky she has no one to answer to? Memory is everything, right? Because sure, something beautiful is happening right now and we are living it and it's amazing but this moment is going to pass and it will become a memory, will it not? Memories are how we hang on to the beauty that ceases to exist. And the world has no memories of Hope Arden.
North argues why it's a necessity that we are bound by this society and its law. Why we live as a community. What is it really like to be lonely. Through the lack of it in her character, the author manages to portray an amazing balance between individualism and being a part of something.
Another thing that's a pretty heavy and consistent theme in this story is: accountability. Owning up to your actions. Who's telling you it's a wrong idea if nobody remembers you?
Just amazing.
My only problem with the book was that it was a bit lengthy and could have been shortened and concised.
But Claire North definitely has some interesting things on her mind, if she's writing books like The Sudden Appearance of Hope and The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. Can't wait for more.
But wow, another brilliant story by Claire North.
Mostly, we have seen art and read literature about how one shouldn't confirm to society. We are encouraged to follow our train of thoughts and marvel in our own individualism. Be you. Be original.
And who could deny that? It's a perfect theory to practice.
But then there's Hope Arden. She's forgettable. And because she doesn't exist for the world in its past or its future, she's basically not a part of it. She's only part of our now. So is she lucky she has no one to answer to? Memory is everything, right? Because sure, something beautiful is happening right now and we are living it and it's amazing but this moment is going to pass and it will become a memory, will it not? Memories are how we hang on to the beauty that ceases to exist. And the world has no memories of Hope Arden.
North argues why it's a necessity that we are bound by this society and its law. Why we live as a community. What is it really like to be lonely. Through the lack of it in her character, the author manages to portray an amazing balance between individualism and being a part of something.
Another thing that's a pretty heavy and consistent theme in this story is: accountability. Owning up to your actions. Who's telling you it's a wrong idea if nobody remembers you?
Just amazing.
My only problem with the book was that it was a bit lengthy and could have been shortened and concised.
But Claire North definitely has some interesting things on her mind, if she's writing books like The Sudden Appearance of Hope and The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. Can't wait for more.