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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Somewhat cerebral dystopian tale. Develops slowly with irony, reminiscent of 1984. Interesting premise.
This book may set a record for being as different as possible from its movie version, although they are both really good. In fact, I don't think a straight interpretation of this very very British series of moral conundrums and subtle character shifts would play very well on the big screen. This is a perfect blend of suspense, philosophy, and science fiction with a light touch on the future that permeates everything so naturally. I liked this way more than I was expecting -- challenging, satisfying, and a lot to chew on.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another grim novel of a dystopian future, complete with personal tragedy, danger, intrigue, and unexpected love story. Writing seems more dated than the book.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is basically 2 books in 1. First 2/3s of the book are a beautiful, bleak, and poetic reflection on depression and regret. Very slow-moving and dives deep into main character Theo's thoughts on his past and the world around him. The last 1/3 of the book turns into a generic chase-thriller; almost as if it were a different book entirely. It basically just describes the main characters trying to survive and escape the enemies chasing them. Much faster-paced. I found it very drawn-out with nothing new or interesting to add, and I only finished the book in the hopes that it would return to the more reflective writing from the earlier parts, only to be disappointed. First part of the book is some of the best literature I've ever read; last part is mostly forgettable in my opinion.
Very different from the movie, which almost flips these 2 sections. The movie doesn't dwell very much on Theo's inner thoughts, but rather shows the bleakness and desperation of the world around them through the survival section of the story.
Very different from the movie, which almost flips these 2 sections. The movie doesn't dwell very much on Theo's inner thoughts, but rather shows the bleakness and desperation of the world around them through the survival section of the story.
No está mal.
La autora divaga demasiado en detalles que nada importan para la trama.
Se lee rápido, eso sí.
La autora divaga demasiado en detalles que nada importan para la trama.
Se lee rápido, eso sí.
Mannnn, what happened to British people in the 80s to make them this weird? I mean I guess Thatcher but still.
This sucked in the same way that the comic version of V for Vendetta sucked, and latter Agatha Christie sucked, and Anthony Burgess sucked. Everyone's bored and no one's human and nothing will ever be good again and we can't even have an emotion besides weariness about it. Just... too many people taking that Orwell quote about the future of humanity being a boot smashing a face forever WAY TO SERIOUSLY. Some one build a time machine and travel back there and see if they're alright.
This book is also hard to pin down because I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to like Theo. But we see the world through his eyes. Instead of getting the loveable-scamp/oh-boy-I-see-where-you're-coming-from-but-also-you-are-messed-up effect one gets from say, Catcher in the Rye, Theo just leaves me feeling bleak. Everything is bleak. The world sucks, life sucks, not-life sucks, it all sucks. But not even sucks, because that's too strong an emotion for my boy Theo. We're bleak but we're blah about it.
The ending does not help. [spoiler] Was that supposed to be hopeful? Hopeless? Some sort of grown-up version of the end of The Giver but if both the options were horrible? [/spoiler]
2.5 stars but I rounded up.
This sucked in the same way that the comic version of V for Vendetta sucked, and latter Agatha Christie sucked, and Anthony Burgess sucked. Everyone's bored and no one's human and nothing will ever be good again and we can't even have an emotion besides weariness about it. Just... too many people taking that Orwell quote about the future of humanity being a boot smashing a face forever WAY TO SERIOUSLY. Some one build a time machine and travel back there and see if they're alright.
This book is also hard to pin down because I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to like Theo. But we see the world through his eyes. Instead of getting the loveable-scamp/oh-boy-I-see-where-you're-coming-from-but-also-you-are-messed-up effect one gets from say, Catcher in the Rye, Theo just leaves me feeling bleak. Everything is bleak. The world sucks, life sucks, not-life sucks, it all sucks. But not even sucks, because that's too strong an emotion for my boy Theo. We're bleak but we're blah about it.
The ending does not help. [spoiler] Was that supposed to be hopeful? Hopeless? Some sort of grown-up version of the end of The Giver but if both the options were horrible? [/spoiler]
2.5 stars but I rounded up.
Less action-oriented than I was expecting and much more contemplative. You know, some people hate how many pages are spend on our quiet, selfish, rather nihilistic hero Theo and his cousin, future dictator of England Xan, but I found the whole trajectory grimly comforting considering that I'm an American in 2017. I recommend this, but not if you're looking for action and characters that are clearly good/clearly evil.
Amazing premise, and fascinating exploration of what changes within society when there is no more hope. Even though the story is ostensibly about a woman, though, the women gets sidelined in favour of an entirely unlikeable and irredeemable man (made even more unlikeable by the audiobook narrator).