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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Most of the low ratings on this book are because the reader didn't like the ending, or felt the book was "ableist". I didn't have a problem with either of those things. I don't think it's ableist to write about a quadraplegic who feels life isn't worth living - I think it's more ableist to blithely assume all quadraplegics are blissfully happy. The author did present both sides of the argument, but I suspect those who felt offended by it either (a) didn't read far enough to discover that; or (b) were so offended they weren't taking it in; or (c) saw the movie and didn't read the book; or (d) didn't do either, just read the synopsis.
Where the author went wrong, I think, was deciding to write this as a romance novel. As a result, everything was soft-pedalled or glossed over. We got random chapters from other characters' POV (for no apparent reason), but we never got inside Will's head so we could fully understand his desperation and grief. To understand why he wanted to die, we needed to experience the pain and the nightmares Nathan mentions, and feel his reactions to the deterioration of his body, and the small daily indignities of quadraplegic life. But we don't, because the author needs him to be a strong romantic hero too, so it simply won't do to dwell on how wasted his muscles are, or read about Nathan hooking poo out of his bottom...
When Louisa discovers the forums, we do hear from quadraplegics who have adjusted to their new life - but because it's a romance, we don't hear from them enough. It would have been great if Louisa had met one of the people from the forums and seen what their life was like - perhaps persuaded Will to meet him or her. But that would have made Will's decision more complex and questionable, and would've detracted too much from the three-hanky weepy, so it didn't happen..
So if that wasn't the reason, why the two stars? Because although it was an easy read, I never got involved with the characters. Louisa's character didn't convince me: she's supposed to be very intelligent, but apparently she flunked school because her sister was SO clever, she didn't bother to even try to keep up (really?). And she's got no ambition and can't hold down a job because, we eventually learn,. I know that's a trauma but it didn't work for me as a motivation. As for Will - as I mentioned, he was kept at a distance, the only one of the main characters never given a chapter or chapters to speak for himself.
Where the author went wrong, I think, was deciding to write this as a romance novel. As a result, everything was soft-pedalled or glossed over. We got random chapters from other characters' POV (for no apparent reason), but we never got inside Will's head so we could fully understand his desperation and grief. To understand why he wanted to die, we needed to experience the pain and the nightmares Nathan mentions, and feel his reactions to the deterioration of his body, and the small daily indignities of quadraplegic life. But we don't, because the author needs him to be a strong romantic hero too, so it simply won't do to dwell on how wasted his muscles are, or read about Nathan hooking poo out of his bottom...
When Louisa discovers the forums, we do hear from quadraplegics who have adjusted to their new life - but because it's a romance, we don't hear from them enough. It would have been great if Louisa had met one of the people from the forums and seen what their life was like - perhaps persuaded Will to meet him or her. But that would have made Will's decision more complex and questionable, and would've detracted too much from the three-hanky weepy, so it didn't happen.
Spoiler
I'm sure that was the reason the adventure holiday had to be cancelled too: to decide to die after meeting a bunch of thrill-seeking quads might have seemed more cowardly than nobleSo if that wasn't the reason, why the two stars? Because although it was an easy read, I never got involved with the characters. Louisa's character didn't convince me: she's supposed to be very intelligent, but apparently she flunked school because her sister was SO clever, she didn't bother to even try to keep up (really?). And she's got no ambition and can't hold down a job because, we eventually learn,
Spoiler
she was possibly gang-raped by a bunch of schoolboys at the age of 14, though she can't remember any of it.
I had a lot of trouble with this book. I was recommended this by so many different people, all of them telling me how great this books was. Sadly, I didn't emotionally connect with the story or any of the characters. They were flat. one dimensional and uninteresting. It was an extremely slow read. I was just waiting for something to happen to lift the dullness but alas, not much happened at all!
Oh and I guessed the ending of the story about a third of the way into the book :/
Oh and I guessed the ending of the story about a third of the way into the book :/
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sin palabras. Will las robó todas 💕
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Fell in love with not only the charaters, but also the way their story was told.