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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Something about this book had me on hold. I think it was because of how slow it was, unlike other apocalypse novels that move quickly. I liked the slow build, and I liked the almost meandering in the novel. It was almost like a cozy apocalypse book, not too dramatic in action for the first half, building up what would happen during the second part of the book. I loved this. I didn't think I'd like the cozy and slow apocalypse, but here we are.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Is it wrong that I liked the movie better? The book is fine: fleshing out certain aspects and providing a slightly different spin (Theo's an Oxford don instead of a City drone? or something). The whole birth-of-Jesus allegory is still there - which is good, as it was the spine of the film and what made it fascinating. In fact, James made it more overt in the book. No Michael Caine co-starring (alas).
The movie is much, much better, but then again, it strays a lot from the book.
reflective
sad
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
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It just did a good job showing that people aren’t fucking dualistic and can hold many truths. Combined with the acknowledged storyline of how Christ was a fugitive killed by his government just made me love the complexity of people even more.
Especially as someone who struggles with the black and white thinking of good vs bad bc of Catholicism (and also the tism).
In short, I liked the book because it portrayed religion how I have come to see it. A story guide that helped us explore the complexities of what is to be human. To quite literally be a walking paradox. How even with most of us, if not arguably all, inevitably hurt people and yet at the end of the day, if what we strive for is love and justice we can still make the positive changes that will help many more people.
Edit: after a passionate discussion with my husband, I kind of disagree that Theo was fighting for “justice”. Love arguably. Idk there’s a lot there. Good book.
Especially as someone who struggles with the black and white thinking of good vs bad bc of Catholicism (and also the tism).
In short, I liked the book because it portrayed religion how I have come to see it. A story guide that helped us explore the complexities of what is to be human. To quite literally be a walking paradox. How even with most of us, if not arguably all, inevitably hurt people and yet at the end of the day, if what we strive for is love and justice we can still make the positive changes that will help many more people.
Edit: after a passionate discussion with my husband, I kind of disagree that Theo was fighting for “justice”. Love arguably. Idk there’s a lot there. Good book.