Reviews

Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer

tealeafbooks's review against another edition

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2.0

OK is what a 2 star rating stands for.

I wanted more from the characters. I felt a lack of connection and struggled to care about what I felt like I should care about.

I cared about the end, but if you listen to or read it, you will realize that few can avoid feeling nothing about the end.

kathieboucher's review against another edition

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Incomprehensible. Just no.

tstuppy's review against another edition

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4.0

I’ve had this since release; when I tried to read it the first time, I was put off by its seriousness and neurotic voice. I expected Foer to keep doing the same narrative tricks I loved in ELIC and EII. Six years later, I found myself really appreciating the story; it felt Franzen-esque and it’s characters were emotionally compelling. While I won’t rush to read it again, I’m glad I read it.

martsfrommars's review against another edition

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4.0

Avevo letto questo libro qualche anno fa ma il mio cervello aveva fatto tabula rasa, nel senso che proprio avevo rimosso tutta la trama, nel mio kindle ero piena di sottilineature e note ma di tutte me ne ricordavo forse due. Alla fine è stata una lettura piacevole, forse un pò strana visto che la mia lettura dei capitoli sul terremoto coincideva cpn le giornate delle scosse in Turchia e Siria

agrdck20's review against another edition

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4.0

Whilst some of it was heavy going I really enjoyed this book. I certainly think it helps to have come from a similar cultural background as much of the Jewish reference can be esoteric and not well explained. Same with the the Israel subplot that resonated with me but may not with other readers. Whilst the subjects the book covers could be thought of as depressing, the writing is beautiful, and many times throughout the book I would have to re read a sentence or observation because it was so beautifully described.

sjentellll's review against another edition

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4.0

It took me quite some time but I finally finished this novel. A disappointing start for me personally but I loved part 4 and 7, that's just classic Foer <3 + got a bit too emotional while reading the last couple of pages because letting go is indeed pretty fucking difficult.

mario_i_am's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.0

oco257's review against another edition

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1.0

Reeeeally had to slog my way through this one. Unfortunate, because I really liked Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

jebbyharebby's review against another edition

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5.0

I found this book extremely touching and insightful. I loved reading from the perspective of a Jewish-American family and all of the Judaic symbolism.

liliya_klein's review against another edition

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4.0

Would be better if there weren't all these weird sexual references. I just don't think they were necessary to the story, however the author's way of writing is something brilliant IMO.

Many good quotes, here is one that summarizes the pathos of the book: "'I guess I was raised to understand that I'm not worthy of all that came before me. But no one ever prepared me for the knowledge that I'm not worthy of all that will come after me, either.'"