Reviews

The Hole We're in by Gabrielle Zevin

lexi11233's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5 stars

melicious52's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I almost DNF this around 35%. I thought I was getting into a story about averagely flawed people making some poor decisions. But no. One character is awful, and his bad decisions ripple through everyone else’s lives. 

The only reason I finished it was that around 40%, she finally gave me the POV of a character I could care about. I wish it hadn’t taken that long. 

saranorton's review against another edition

Go to review page

Just didn't connect with the characters and it jumped around a lot to the point that I couldnt follow the storyline anymore 

readingrainbow69's review against another edition

Go to review page

sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 I love a family case study but this one felt almost pedantic in how overt the themes were. overall i still found it very moving and apt 

diegobrando's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

canadagirl1008's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

missbookiverse's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The Hole We’re In aka Terrible Things Happening to Terrible People. Seriously, this book starts out in such a depressing way because most of the characters are so unhappy and have bad things happening to them and then doing despicable things because they are so unhappy with their lives… and it’s weirdly addicting to read about? Like a juicy soap opera or reality tv? When we get to Patsy’s part it also gets a little easier to endure because she’s not such a bad person after all, she’s just trying to work with the cards she has been dealt in life.

What’s fascinating is how a book written in 2010 can still feel so recent when it comes to topics such as abortion laws, war or financial debt. Even the tie-in of Britney Spears’ career and life presented in the media rings truer than ever in 2023. I guess it’s both sad that society is changing so slowly and amazing because it shows the great mind a writer like Gabrielle Zevin must possess in order to craft such a timeless novel – at least for now.

nia_estelle's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

arharu's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-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

julesreads_2021's review against another edition

Go to review page

tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0