Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - The Immortalists

I really liked this book! It was recommended by one of my coworkers, I thought I read it but I hadn't so gave it a go!

I really liked the amount of time we spent with each character and how the author chose the timeline focus for each one. After the first section, I thought we were going to go "back to the beginning" with each one and redo all the events through their eyes. We did not and I was grateful. I found the scope of each character very artfully chosen and well done. I also enjoyed the "mystery" of the book and seeing how it affected each character.

I really liked how you could tell they were all siblings but at the same time so different. It felt very real to me. There was one specific trait all the characters had that felt very "off" to me but it was resolved in the end which I really enjoyed. I'll add it in the spoiler section if you are curious.

All the characters consistently acted like they were the only people who had ever experienced family tragedy which was annoying. It took me until Clara's section to identify it esp. in regards to how she responded to her husband. I think it sheds a good light on moving forward with grief vs stagnating in grief. I was really happy to see this somewhat resolved in Varya's section

I was super sucked into this book and wanted to find out what would happen to each character. I was most interested in Varya's chapter/perspective so it was kind of a "save the best for last" situation for me. There was a lot of discussion of mental illness in this book and I thought it was done really well.

I would recommend if you are looking for an accessible novel that asks questions about the placebo effect, human nature, and self-fulfilling prophecy. It's interesting and reflective on the human condition and what we are all inevitably moving towards, death.

Content Warnings

archivofrances's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

ireadinbed's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I thought halfway through I wouldn't know what to rate this book.

I had a lot of mixed feelings about things. I didn't sign up for the kind of tragedy I got. And I was angry to be reading it.

I'm glad I continued on. The book thoroughly redeemed itself.

I don't get every element of this book. It feels very aimed at Jewish folks culturally. But I felt connected. To every one of the siblings on some level. It's very personal to read and yet very specific to the characters.

It is a book I would consider rereading and that's high praise from me nowadays. First five star in a long while.

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