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sandiet's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly don't know how to convey how much I absolutely loved this book by Gavin Extence. A debut novel of excellent caliber and I look forward to reading more from him.
The Universe Versus Alex Woods covers everything from bullying, uniqueness,odd parents, and so much more. I can't reveal too much without giving away what this book is really about but suffice it to say that this book is truly a gem. It has been awhile since I've read a novel that I wasn't in a hurry to finish. Not because it wasn't good but rather because I didn't want Alex's story to end. Now everyone's taste in books is so subjective and while I LOVED this book, someone else might say "huh" but for me it was wonderful. When I looked up the author on Good reads, I couldn't help but envision Mr. Extence as Alex Woods, he was EXACTLY what I pictured Alex would look like.
Read The Universe Versus Alex Woods, I guarantee you'll enjoy it and definitely take away some life lessons along the way.
The Universe Versus Alex Woods covers everything from bullying, uniqueness,odd parents, and so much more. I can't reveal too much without giving away what this book is really about but suffice it to say that this book is truly a gem. It has been awhile since I've read a novel that I wasn't in a hurry to finish. Not because it wasn't good but rather because I didn't want Alex's story to end. Now everyone's taste in books is so subjective and while I LOVED this book, someone else might say "huh" but for me it was wonderful. When I looked up the author on Good reads, I couldn't help but envision Mr. Extence as Alex Woods, he was EXACTLY what I pictured Alex would look like.
Read The Universe Versus Alex Woods, I guarantee you'll enjoy it and definitely take away some life lessons along the way.
ariena's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Immer noch ein sehr lustiges und trauriges Buch zugleich. Eine wirklich tolle Geschichte über Freundschaft mit interessanten wissenschaftlichen Fakten. Und es hat mich wieder dazu gebracht, Kurt Vonnegut lesen zu wollen (auch wenn ich es wahrscheinlich wieder nicht machen werde)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Car accident
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
4.0
This story was completely unexpected in the best way! I wish there was a sequel so I could know more about Alex's future.
katie19's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
It starts at the end, with 17 year old Alex being stopped by the police. Then he rewinds the narrative to explain his life up to this point.
I got totally sucked into Alex's story. His life as a series of chance events (being only the second person ever to be hit by a meteor, developing epilepsy), all leading him towards the friendship of Mr Peterson and to his maturation into a young man with incredibly adult and difficult choices to make.
The book is all about chance and choice - what happens to us affects who we are. Our choices stay with us forever and have to be thought through.
By the end I had a deep respect for Alex and the adult he had made himself become.
A touching story, one I couldn't put down.
I got totally sucked into Alex's story. His life as a series of chance events (being only the second person ever to be hit by a meteor, developing epilepsy), all leading him towards the friendship of Mr Peterson and to his maturation into a young man with incredibly adult and difficult choices to make.
The book is all about chance and choice - what happens to us affects who we are. Our choices stay with us forever and have to be thought through.
By the end I had a deep respect for Alex and the adult he had made himself become.
A touching story, one I couldn't put down.
csgiansante's review against another edition
4.0
This book has sat on my shelf for nearly a decade. I liked it a lot. The back half really did it for me and it dealt with a number of themes that I didn't think some generic YA would attempt. Even some sad cry eyes moments, which was surprising. And funny too. My cup of tea tbh.
jesslolsen's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to the blurb and the first chapter, I kept expecting Alex to have super powers or abilities after his accident, but it turns out that The Universe Verses Alex Woods was simply just a story about a boy. I don't necessarily mean this in a bad way, it's just that because I was preparing myself for a bit more drama it took me a while to get into the rhythm of the story and adjust to the characters speed.
I wouldn't consider this a young adult novel. Again, I'm going to blame my misguided impressions because from the cover image and the blurb I thought it sounded like it had all the makings of a dark twisted real life Harry Potter, so I was genuinely surprised when the story talked about suicide and the ethics around euthanasia.
The writing is really good so I'm not disappointed I kept reading, but in hindsight it probably wouldn't be on the top of my list to read again, it just wasn't what I was in the mood to read at the time.
I wouldn't consider this a young adult novel. Again, I'm going to blame my misguided impressions because from the cover image and the blurb I thought it sounded like it had all the makings of a dark twisted real life Harry Potter, so I was genuinely surprised when the story talked about suicide and the ethics around euthanasia.
The writing is really good so I'm not disappointed I kept reading, but in hindsight it probably wouldn't be on the top of my list to read again, it just wasn't what I was in the mood to read at the time.
nogink's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
spacecase1701's review against another edition
4.0
It's always a good sign when I stay up later than I should so I can finish a book. Surprisingly funny and surprisingly moving, hard to argue with that.