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lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
2.0
An interesting concept, but not for me. The book was so long, but didn’t make much progress by the end. Took me a long time to get through because I didn’t feel like the plot was very forward moving. Also ironic that I didn’t love it, as part of the theme is about books getting sad when you don’t like them - haha.
juneil_morrow's review against another edition
Past a point, it feels a little bit stalled out and I'm feeling too non-committal to read something this slow right now. Also some descriptive tendencies are... odd. Not a bad book, quite fascinating. Really enjoyed the character perspectives.
samsearle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Self harm
boxcar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
A masterpiece. I love Ruth Ozeki. Her characters are so uniquely flawed in that startlingly human way. They are lovable, I empathize with them so easily, and they are flawed. flawed flawed flawed. They'll do something and you're reading it going no.... no honey nooooooooo
A book dealing with intricate systems of living in America: housing, healthcare, mental health, the election, riots, homelessness, drug abuse, school/truancy, public transit: a sort of compilation of our country's failures. Yet, at the same time, it is a picture of hope and change in a society, of people living in a flawed system doing their damn best to make it better, one person at a time.
Like a Tale for the Time Being, this book starts and is sad sad sad for like 95% of the book, but it resolves so satisfyingly, so hopefully. And it doesn't feel forced, like wait no we gotta have a happy ending, it feels natural, uplifting.
Good stuff.
A book dealing with intricate systems of living in America: housing, healthcare, mental health, the election, riots, homelessness, drug abuse, school/truancy, public transit: a sort of compilation of our country's failures. Yet, at the same time, it is a picture of hope and change in a society, of people living in a flawed system doing their damn best to make it better, one person at a time.
Like a Tale for the Time Being, this book starts and is sad sad sad for like 95% of the book, but it resolves so satisfyingly, so hopefully. And it doesn't feel forced, like wait no we gotta have a happy ending, it feels natural, uplifting.
Good stuff.
mmauze's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jamie_whiting's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
johanna_st_john's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My least favourite parts were the bits with the B Man and the Aleph, I always wanted to return to Annabelle.
leishsword's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
florinereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
melodys_library's review against another edition
3.0
Another Ozeki novel that I enjoyed reading, but also wished I’d read with others to discuss it because I don’t think I really understood what was happening. Even though I was unsure what was real vs. what was imagined and the meaning behind it all, the struggles felt real, and I really cared about the characters (especially Annabelle), and their journeys in grief, trauma, and healing.