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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Intertwining narrative of three groups of teens in the early nineties and over the next two decades. It's fun to see how the all affect each others lives when they only start with a beloved comic book series in common. I'd go see a movie adaptation happily. Just what the doctor ordered after the epic IT. Light, just enough romance and drama.
A great book! A modern story of multiple lives intersecting in various ways over about 30 years. It is very realistic, human, and relatable. Centering around a comic book and it's role or influence on each person- the story takes you through love, loss, growth, happiness, and honesty. As the years pass in the story, the reader is on the journey with the characters, with events such as the twin towers and Hudson river landing. It's not so much a love story, as it is a story of life and being a complex human.
[Review first posted at Quite Spectacular]
I generally enjoy these stories with interconnected characters but most revolve around a tragedy, so it was nice that In Some Other World, Maybe was more of a romantic comedy. I also liked that it spanned 18 or so years. I always wonder ‘where are they now’ after reading a particularly good book, so it was a pleasure to journey with these characters for a decent period of time.
I’ll take character over plot all day, every day, so luckily In Some Other World, Maybe was a character driven piece. As it follows mainly four characters, there aren't many fast-paced, nail-biting scenes but the characters really do grow and mature and that's exciting in its own way. I loved Adam and Phoebe’s journey the most. Both ended up in a better place than they started – as you would hope – but it took a great deal of time, just like in real life. I especially loved Phoebe and all that she had to go through to become the glimmer of the person we get at the end of the novel. Somewhere towards the end, she talks about people sniffing their nose at so-called ‘privileged’ people going for counselling – after all, what do they have to be sad about? – but everyone has problems and a right to talk about those problems. Even though you hear it all the time, that even beautiful people have issues, Phoebe's story really hammers this point home in a most human way.
The only character I didn’t really connect with personally was Sharon. I’m not sure if more time was needed with her or if she’s just one of those unknowable types of character. It’s not that she was unlikeable (as we are constantly reminded, characters need not be likeable), I just didn’t get her. On the other hand, I wish more time had been spent on Oliver. I liked his family story and feel there was more to mine from adult Oliver but there are only so many pages.
The themes were universal and will resonate with many twenty-and-thirtysomethings. For example, chasing dreams – no matter how lofty they are – and also making the decision to re-evaluate those dreams. It takes a strong and mature person to look at where they are and admit things aren’t working out on this road; to realise perhaps there is a need to go backwards in order to move forward again. Again, that’s why I loved Phoebe the most. The choices made by our parents and how those choices influence our own patterns of behaviour was also an interesting aspect of In Some Other World, Maybe.
Overall, In Some Other World, Maybe was a nice and quick read with plenty of laughs and a couple of home truths thrown in for good measure. If you like interconnected character stories, definitely give this one a go.
I generally enjoy these stories with interconnected characters but most revolve around a tragedy, so it was nice that In Some Other World, Maybe was more of a romantic comedy. I also liked that it spanned 18 or so years. I always wonder ‘where are they now’ after reading a particularly good book, so it was a pleasure to journey with these characters for a decent period of time.
I’ll take character over plot all day, every day, so luckily In Some Other World, Maybe was a character driven piece. As it follows mainly four characters, there aren't many fast-paced, nail-biting scenes but the characters really do grow and mature and that's exciting in its own way. I loved Adam and Phoebe’s journey the most. Both ended up in a better place than they started – as you would hope – but it took a great deal of time, just like in real life. I especially loved Phoebe and all that she had to go through to become the glimmer of the person we get at the end of the novel. Somewhere towards the end, she talks about people sniffing their nose at so-called ‘privileged’ people going for counselling – after all, what do they have to be sad about? – but everyone has problems and a right to talk about those problems. Even though you hear it all the time, that even beautiful people have issues, Phoebe's story really hammers this point home in a most human way.
The only character I didn’t really connect with personally was Sharon. I’m not sure if more time was needed with her or if she’s just one of those unknowable types of character. It’s not that she was unlikeable (as we are constantly reminded, characters need not be likeable), I just didn’t get her. On the other hand, I wish more time had been spent on Oliver. I liked his family story and feel there was more to mine from adult Oliver but there are only so many pages.
The themes were universal and will resonate with many twenty-and-thirtysomethings. For example, chasing dreams – no matter how lofty they are – and also making the decision to re-evaluate those dreams. It takes a strong and mature person to look at where they are and admit things aren’t working out on this road; to realise perhaps there is a need to go backwards in order to move forward again. Again, that’s why I loved Phoebe the most. The choices made by our parents and how those choices influence our own patterns of behaviour was also an interesting aspect of In Some Other World, Maybe.
Overall, In Some Other World, Maybe was a nice and quick read with plenty of laughs and a couple of home truths thrown in for good measure. If you like interconnected character stories, definitely give this one a go.
Anybody can write a book about four characters and their interactions over a twenty year period. But Shari Goldhagen, a new-to-me author, manages to create four beautifully flawed but sympathetic individuals who weave in and out of each others' lives in ways that are often coincidental but always moving. I knew I was hooked when one of the female characters was making decisions that would lead her to meet up with either one of the male characters or the other, and I felt like I was reading a suspense novel, the kind that keeps you turning pages while holding your breath and yelling at the characters "don't open that door!" The author emphasizes large and small decisions we make every day that can change our lives in innumerable ways, and reminds us that every choice we make in a relationship to hold back or let angry words stand between us can have devastating consequences. Highly recommended.
I think I wanted this book to be a different book than it was.
I picked this book up on a whim and enjoyed it much more than I expected. Kept me engrossed.
I was lucky to receive an ARC through Goodreads.
I really enjoyed this book overall. There were points that felt rushed and some parts that were just strange and didn't seem to fit in. However overall I enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this book overall. There were points that felt rushed and some parts that were just strange and didn't seem to fit in. However overall I enjoyed it.
I kept logging my complaints while reading this book. I have seen these characters before. All of them. Many times. I have seen this structure of ridiculously intertwined lives before. I have seen these stories before. I am not really sure I care about any of the characters or where they end up.
And yet I read this book in about 24 hours... so perhaps the reader doth protest too much?
Yes, it may feel repetitive. But Goldhagen took me in and I just didn't stop. Which is a pretty big compliment since I've been hopping from book to book and quitting them right and left.
A solid read. I'd like to see the author do something bolder and more ambitious in the future.
And yet I read this book in about 24 hours... so perhaps the reader doth protest too much?
Yes, it may feel repetitive. But Goldhagen took me in and I just didn't stop. Which is a pretty big compliment since I've been hopping from book to book and quitting them right and left.
A solid read. I'd like to see the author do something bolder and more ambitious in the future.