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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This is an interesting take on the fantasy novel genre, where the story focuses on a group of high school characters who are in the background of the fantastical happenings, rather than on the people directly involved: ie. the people who "just live there" while the action is happening around them. Although when one of the "normal" characters is "three quarters Jewish and one quarter god", you know things are not going to follow your every day high school kid story.
Although I enjoyed this book, I am not sure whether this will take off, as either you want a coming of age story, or an out and out fantasy book. Woth a read though.
Although I enjoyed this book, I am not sure whether this will take off, as either you want a coming of age story, or an out and out fantasy book. Woth a read though.
Åh, for noen spennende karakterer! Det var så varierte karakterer, og et kjempefint perspektiv hvor de "vanlige" levde livene sine så godt de kunne, mens noen andre tok seg av å være "the chosen one". Karakterene gjorde virkelig denne historie god, og annerledes. Jeg likte det!
Fun look at the normal kids outside the main story. But powerful and serious writing too that makes it clear that the “normal” kids have pretty full and complex lives too.
I really loved the conceptof this book: The regular civilian side of what goes on while the Chosen Ones fight some gigantic power. But it wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. I appreciated the look into mental illness, and I enjoyed the hodge podge of things that made up Jared, but a lot of the characterization fell flat for me. Mainly with Mike's overwhelming and unnecessary jealousy and negativity. It certainly didn't affect me like When a Monster Calls, but I'm not too upset that I read it.
Underrated, Ness really flexes his creative muscles with this unique, fun spin on a classic trope.
hopeful
medium-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
So, this book was a little chaotic on the surface. This is the first Patrick Ness book I’ve read, and I have 5 more of his books on my bookshelf so it’s a good thing I enjoy his writing so far!
Honestly, if I tried to explain the basic plot to you, you’d probably think I’m reading something absolutely ridiculous (Well... it is ridiculous). I mean, a young adult fiction about Immortals taking over the world, ‘indie’ kids getting killed and saving the world, a boy suffering with OCD, a girl recovering from anorexia, another boy who’s actually a gay God of cats.... I could go on!
Trust me, it took a few moments for me to wrap my head around it all too.
BUT, it worked. I don’t know how because I’d normally put a book like that down immediately. But it worked. It was easy to read, thoroughly entertaining and there was lots to pick apart.
Ness is very clever. The main characters in THIS story are the background characters of every other story. The saviours of the book are the background characters here, and you only catch glimpses of what’s really going on. Basically, where you’d normally read a book about a main character or group who save the world, you’re actually reading about the ‘average, normal people’ in the background who watch that stuff happen and live their lives amongst the action. You have to read it to understand, but I thought this was really clever and really interesting.
This allowed more focus on relationships, moral dilemmas, leaving school, life moving on, family problems, mental health struggles... so much that each of us go through daily. Even at the end when Mikey and his friends graduate was a beautiful and well-written ending. Normally it’s easy for those sorts of scenes to be cringey and predictable, but Ness made it so lovely to read that I actually got goosebumps.
In summary, it’s very hard to explain this book. You sort of have to read it to understand. But it’s a unique and interesting book to read, and I can’t wait to read more of Ness’s literary genius!
Honestly, if I tried to explain the basic plot to you, you’d probably think I’m reading something absolutely ridiculous (Well... it is ridiculous). I mean, a young adult fiction about Immortals taking over the world, ‘indie’ kids getting killed and saving the world, a boy suffering with OCD, a girl recovering from anorexia, another boy who’s actually a gay God of cats.... I could go on!
Trust me, it took a few moments for me to wrap my head around it all too.
BUT, it worked. I don’t know how because I’d normally put a book like that down immediately. But it worked. It was easy to read, thoroughly entertaining and there was lots to pick apart.
Ness is very clever. The main characters in THIS story are the background characters of every other story. The saviours of the book are the background characters here, and you only catch glimpses of what’s really going on. Basically, where you’d normally read a book about a main character or group who save the world, you’re actually reading about the ‘average, normal people’ in the background who watch that stuff happen and live their lives amongst the action. You have to read it to understand, but I thought this was really clever and really interesting.
This allowed more focus on relationships, moral dilemmas, leaving school, life moving on, family problems, mental health struggles... so much that each of us go through daily. Even at the end when Mikey and his friends graduate was a beautiful and well-written ending. Normally it’s easy for those sorts of scenes to be cringey and predictable, but Ness made it so lovely to read that I actually got goosebumps.
In summary, it’s very hard to explain this book. You sort of have to read it to understand. But it’s a unique and interesting book to read, and I can’t wait to read more of Ness’s literary genius!
Läs min recension på bloggen: https://www.fiktiviteter.se/2021/01/18/the-rest-of-us-just-live-here-av-patrick-ness/