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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Since the minute I started the book I wanted to put it down. Not because it sucked but because it was so real and sad that I wished none of it was true but I know it is. What I think I've figured out about books containing suicide is that there are different levels of being suicidal. Every person isn't the same someone's suicide could be romanticized while someone's could make you feel like how could someone not want to kill themselves and their tormentor when they've gone through such things. This was that kindof a book. I don't know what I felt through majority of the book except this bone deep sadness that stuff like this and parents like his could actually exist. The number of tears I shed while reading it is unbelievable. I don't think anything I've ever read has made me this sad. And I hated the fact that the concept of someone being kind to him and caring about him was so unacceptable and new to him. How the shit have people managed to become this cruel?
The thing is the book made me think. Till what point can something excused as mental illness be justified? Just because I have a mental illness can i actually kill someone and attribute it to the fact that I've gone through shit? If yes then how many of the world's most cruel people did things because they were different in the brain? And till what extent is something excusable if you are affected by a mental disability? Maybe it's completely wrong to question these things but how can killing BE black and white when there is so much more going on?I think I'd like to ask Herr Silverman these questions I think he'd actually have the most perfect and real answers. The thing is I loved the book and I felt so much it was unbelievable. I don't think I've ever cried this much while reading a book(no exaggeration there was snot running down too). I have no clue why but every scene with Herr Silverman left me sobbing like a baby.
The only issue I have with the book if any at all is really a personal opinion. I'm just sort of a sucker for happy endings. Like I need some sort of indication that the future was a thousand times better. I get what the author tried to portray by that end and I guess it was perfect for Leonard's story but I guess I just need more hope to believe in humanity right?
Otherwise I think it was the most made-me-feel-something book I've ver read
The thing is the book made me think. Till what point can something excused as mental illness be justified? Just because I have a mental illness can i actually kill someone and attribute it to the fact that I've gone through shit? If yes then how many of the world's most cruel people did things because they were different in the brain? And till what extent is something excusable if you are affected by a mental disability? Maybe it's completely wrong to question these things but how can killing BE black and white when there is so much more going on?I think I'd like to ask Herr Silverman these questions I think he'd actually have the most perfect and real answers. The thing is I loved the book and I felt so much it was unbelievable. I don't think I've ever cried this much while reading a book(no exaggeration there was snot running down too). I have no clue why but every scene with Herr Silverman left me sobbing like a baby.
The only issue I have with the book if any at all is really a personal opinion. I'm just sort of a sucker for happy endings. Like I need some sort of indication that the future was a thousand times better. I get what the author tried to portray by that end and I guess it was perfect for Leonard's story but I guess I just need more hope to believe in humanity right?
Otherwise I think it was the most made-me-feel-something book I've ver read
This book is literally a modern Catcher in the Rye but way more depressing. You hate Leonard but also adore him and want more than anything for him to be okay.
I would have liked this little thing called CLOSURE, though.
I would have liked this little thing called CLOSURE, though.
This is a mature book and the content is very heavy. (Murder/suicide) With that said I thought it was well written and I'm glad I read it. I really liked the development of how the main character got where he was and the future letters.
Fantastic writing, incredibly hard to read. The main character is in so much pain, and it's hard not to want things neatly wrapped up. But very much worth the time. Matthew Quick is a really compelling writer.
I think this book was more shocking than it was good. Nothing felt particularly resolved and the final interaction w Herr Silverman I found a bit off-putting. However, the story flowed well and was engaging.
3.5 stars. Not my favourite Quick book, but I finished it in a day - it's very readable and compelling.
Some interesting characters, but nonetheless some huge cliches in there too, which detracted from the overall story. I feel without those, it would have been stronger and more real.
Some interesting characters, but nonetheless some huge cliches in there too, which detracted from the overall story. I feel without those, it would have been stronger and more real.
So heartbreaking, but
then you got a letter and
I felt oh-so warm.
then you got a letter and
I felt oh-so warm.
Heavy. But insightful. Definitely worth the read. TW - topics surrounding suicide.
What a strange, sad, funny, horrifying, wonderful little book.
Strong idea. Did not love the ending. Interesting character.