Reviews

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

fomac's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-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

Just... really well done. Straightforward, not perfect, but entertaining and goes quick.

christineponkey's review against another edition

3.0

Kind of a meh read. I feel like Hank was just trying to do too much. Like it's a YA read but also criticism on media but also brings up politics and polarisation but like
it's just not GREAT at all of them. It's kind of meh at everything. (jack of all trades but master of none...)

soxyfoxie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

mgdsmile's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

3.0

I have numerous swirling thoughts about An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. As a casual nerdfighter of 3ish years, I am well acquainted with Hank Green's general voice and life experiences. Some of this novel felt a little on the nose, with subtle (or not-so-subtle) reflections on polarization and fame and responsibility that felt less like the protagonist and more obviously like Hank. But, it takes guts to write a novel that captures similar elements of exploring one's professional/public experience, and I think he obviously has lots of thoughts worth sharing in the current digital age.

The book was very engaging to me; I was excited to pick it back up and see what would happen. But, the plot itself was underwhelming. Points in the story that I later learned were key points were less than clear or vague (I had to reread the first grape jelly encounter multiple times and even still was unsure how to interpret parts of it). And obviously, aliens are confusing, but all of the puzzle stuff felt illogical (but I get that that may have been the point). Overall the plot just didn't capture me.

Several elements of the writing style were unique and noteworthy, and I'm curious if the reasons for these decisions will be illuminated in the sequel. The book was written mostly in the first person past tense, as the protagonist, April, editorialized on her past decisions as she narrated the story. But, we never learned at what point in time April was retelling the story to us from. Secondly, Hank wrote a novel where

the main character dies, but not at the end - just before the end. This felt like a risky choice, and I feel like part of the purpose may have been to emphasize the weight of decisions and the severity of polarization - it actually hurts people and society significantly. The result of this decision was that the denouement was narrated by Andy. The resolution felt anticlimactic and confusing - what just happened? What's the point? But this is also the meta reflection: life doesn't happen like books, and we don't always get satisfying answers.

Do I want to read the sequel? I dunno, but I probably will. There's something to be said for engaging literary experiences and investing in personal time and rest that isn't screen time. While this book wasn't a home run for me, I recognize the merit and ideas it provokes.

hannahaimee's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-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

4.5

thisiskartrying's review against another edition

5.0

Tenía muchas expectativas de este libro porque había escuchado solo maravillas de él, y debo decir: no me estaban mintiendo.
Este libro es un sci-fi contemporáneo genial, que no solo aborda el hecho de la aparición de entes de origen desconocido en la tierra (los Carls), sino que nos cuenta sobre el fenómeno de la fama y de la repentina exposición en medios de un modo muy realista y humano, que te hace decir "¡No mames, por supuesto que esto pasaría!".
Me la pasé muy bien leyendo este libro, ademásde que es muy divertido en mucha partes, siento que la trama lleva un muy buen ritmo, manteniendo el misterio y teniendo unos giros geniales.
Me gustó muchísimo, sin ir a más. *se va corriendo a leer la segunda parte*

library_brandy's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.5

Sci-fi, first-contact sorry that's really more about the effects of fame and social media. Main character is kind of awful, but is reasonably self-aware about it. 

juekker's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

4.0

absolutelyfatal's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

This character is one of the most annoying, awful, aggravating characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading. She's an influencer in every way and just terrible to the people around her. She is so narcissistic that it's astounding she ever had friends or dates. I think Hank aimed to make a well rounded character with flaws but god damn the flaws are literally all there are. The plot basically goes nowhere very, very slowly and I'm not sure I have it in me to read the second one to see if the Carl storyline actually goes anywhere or if it's just like book one: full of thinking "Holy fuck, this protagonist is just as horrible as the right-wing opponents she's 'fighting'." All of the characters being seemingly in love with this narcissist is true to how people gravitate towards egocentric people but while I was reading it I couldn't get over how terribly unlikeable she is so I was rolling my eyes every time they fawned over her and she said "quirky" things. Her continuing to record while dying in a burning building was the worst thing I've read in a while. I wanted to like this, but quickly felt hatred towards the MC. I am surprised I finished it because so many times I wanted to put it down. Oof.

dembury's review against another edition

5.0

July 2020- reread to prepare for the sequel! I found April to be more frustrating to read this time around, but not in a bad way- I think I just understand her motivations a bit better now, and I still deeply feel for her. Also, I hope we get more Robin in the next book?! He reminds me of Judah from "Bojack Horseman" and I just want more!

Jan. 2019
My full length spoiler-free review can be found on my blog, here:
https://thedeborahembury.wordpress.com/2019/01/05/an-absolutely-remarkable-thing-by-hank-green-book-review/