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queen_squid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
melonarte's review against another edition
4.0
The first time (three years ago) I read this I was so in love with this book. It was all I ever wanted.
I decided to re read it and though it is still very up my alley, the characters felt very flat. Also Jacob is such a boring kid? How did I never notice. I will try the second book though since it is on my shelf anyways, but I wouldn't buy it if I did not already have it.
Would rather give it 3.5 stars now but that is not possible so I gotta stick to 4
I decided to re read it and though it is still very up my alley, the characters felt very flat. Also Jacob is such a boring kid? How did I never notice. I will try the second book though since it is on my shelf anyways, but I wouldn't buy it if I did not already have it.
Would rather give it 3.5 stars now but that is not possible so I gotta stick to 4
purrs_between_pages's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! It held my attention from the first page all the way to the last. I loved the pictures that were added. It is an easy read and I can't wait to read the second book.
kaebirdie's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the book itself...I just wish the reader hadn't bothered with accents. It was very distracting and I doubt that everyone on that Welsh island needed to sound Cockney.
librarydoc's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this was a really interesting, creative read. I love the fact that the author found these old vintage photos, and then crafted his novel around the photos. I also love the feel of this story, a little sweet, a little creepy, a tad bit of history thrown in. Just an overall fun read.
johannaliest's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
herri1je's review against another edition
5.0
Truly a book that you can dive into and reside inside.
reydeam's review against another edition
3.0
Here is the low down, I did not like this book as much as the majority of people have seemed to like it. I found it boring. There ya have it. Boring. But, in the midst of boredom, I could see a good story. And that is what has me in a state of strangeness. A good story and yet I was still bored and that dichotomy feels strange.
A quote on the back cover of the book states "A tense, moving, and wondrously strange first novel. The photographs and text work together brilliantly to create and unforgettable story." Well for me, it was not tense outside of one scene, it was not moving outside of grandpa, and it was not strange outside of how I feel about the story being good yet I was bored. I do agree that the photos and text worked very well together, probably the best part. But it is forgettable. Sorry, John Green, I don't agree with your quote.
Grandpa was by far the most interesting character to me—he was fascinating. I wish his story was far more prevalent; I wish it was more about him rather than Jacob's journey of discovery. And truly, my heart ached for Grandpa. So sad. The rest of the characters, they were fine. I didn't dislike them. But, I also didn't like them.
Tonight during the bookclub's discussion (this was our July book choice), I realized that this book is not driven by characters but rather by the storyline itself. I am a character driven reader. I think this settles the reason for my disconnect with the good story, and as to why I was bored.
So why the three-star rating? The story is good. I did enjoy some parts of it. I do appreciate the uniqueness of the storytelling done by both the photos and text—this was done super well. I did almost rate this book two-stars because I did stop short from finding the entire book enjoyable. And, I was bored due to my lack of connection with the characters outside of grandpa (and he was only prominent in the beginning of the book).
Bottom line: A good story that is quite unique with its use of photos and text. This is definitely a storyline driven book. I am a character driven reader. I was bored.
A quote on the back cover of the book states "A tense, moving, and wondrously strange first novel. The photographs and text work together brilliantly to create and unforgettable story." Well for me, it was not tense outside of one scene, it was not moving outside of grandpa, and it was not strange outside of how I feel about the story being good yet I was bored. I do agree that the photos and text worked very well together, probably the best part. But it is forgettable. Sorry, John Green, I don't agree with your quote.
Grandpa was by far the most interesting character to me—he was fascinating. I wish his story was far more prevalent; I wish it was more about him rather than Jacob's journey of discovery. And truly, my heart ached for Grandpa. So sad. The rest of the characters, they were fine. I didn't dislike them. But, I also didn't like them.
Tonight during the bookclub's discussion (this was our July book choice), I realized that this book is not driven by characters but rather by the storyline itself. I am a character driven reader. I think this settles the reason for my disconnect with the good story, and as to why I was bored.
So why the three-star rating? The story is good. I did enjoy some parts of it. I do appreciate the uniqueness of the storytelling done by both the photos and text—this was done super well. I did almost rate this book two-stars because I did stop short from finding the entire book enjoyable. And, I was bored due to my lack of connection with the characters outside of grandpa (and he was only prominent in the beginning of the book).
Bottom line: A good story that is quite unique with its use of photos and text. This is definitely a storyline driven book. I am a character driven reader. I was bored.
chiarahcl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
4.75