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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This is not an awful book. But I would not recommend. I enjoy books with things that actually happen and this just isn’t that type of book. If you’re looking for something that is philosophical and thoughtful with little to no action than this is your book. Otherwise just skip.
Sidenote — some have compared this to “I who have not
known men.” I couldn’t disagree more.
Sidenote — some have compared this to “I who have not
known men.” I couldn’t disagree more.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the peace i deserve
challenging
dark
reflective
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
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found this book to be really interesting and I enjoyed the nihilistic themes. The premise was really compelling, and I feel it holds up incredibly well for a book written so long ago. At times, I found myself wishing it was almost over as it was a bit repetitive at times.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This one is really hard to rate. I think the introspective, philosophical moments regarding the nature of violence, particularly with respect to humans, really works. I think the unnamed narrator’s ability to nurture and love in the face of absolute existential horror is beautiful. I think the choice to almost completely ignore the wall is a fun subversion of expectations.
Unfortunately, a lot of the book didn’t work for me.
Unfortunately, a lot of the book didn’t work for me.
- The prose isn’t particularly interesting.
- Thematically, I understand that ratcheting the tension up very early and letting it slowly fade is meant to mirror the narrator’s decreasing fear, but as a reading experience, it just feels boring.
- The idea that humanity would be happy if we could just return to some incipient form of agrarian society seems silly.
- It feels so ingrained in the milieu of Cold War nuclear anxiety, that it just comes across as incredibly dated.
All in all, I think I’m just disappointed. The book isn’t bad, but I went in expecting to love it, and I really just don’t feel much at all.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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