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nlbohr22's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
gmckenna's review against another edition
3.0
It was…very slow to start. Some parts of the book were intriguing and made me want to keep reading. But also, so much of the book felt so relatable that you really felt for the MC.
shannon_petty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jansbookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
Average read for me. Overall on the sad side but a light enough read to keep it from being depressing.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Does make me think of Eleanor (Oliphant), warm and moving male-centred drama.
I was very impressed with this. It is one of those stories that you know straight away you'll be swept up by, carried along in a tide of emotion and familiar elements, but with a protagonist you desperately want to 'come good'.
When I say 'familiar elements' - some are decidedly uncommon. Andrew works for the council, entering the houses of the recently deceased in search of contact details for next of kin, attending funerals on their behalf when none are found. Seeing his own future in the homes of these lonely and isolated people, he hides the truth of his life from colleagues.
Also not conventionally, Andrew has kept up a facade for years at work, his colleagues all convinced he has a wife and two children. Until a new worker is put under his wing and he finds himself wishing he was 'unattached'.
Andrew lives in an online world outside of work, an all-encompassing one that may seem slightly bizarre to most, but in reality is his hobby, his obsession and his passion, just as everyone possesses. His model railway world, chat room, friends, is well-built into a realistic framework of conversations and brings a lot of warmth to his character. It also shows that trainspotting-types are just as tech-savvy (and potentially cool) as anyone else!
The story takes us through some morally grey and questionable areas - attraction between two people at work both 'attached', the long-term lies and deception Andrew has constructed and maintained. But the good humour and warmth of the story as Andrew and Peggy becomes friends and deal with both professional and personal issues together can't help but be relished. He's not a bad person, though he has made some poor decisions.
Just loved reading this, and have recommended it to others. Just the right sort of book for a bit of a lift, and it is very easy to picture it making a success on the screen as well, there are some lovely characters in the office staff (including a Come Dine with Me nightmare scenario) and the trainspotting friends who get a good moment or two in the spotlight.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.
I was very impressed with this. It is one of those stories that you know straight away you'll be swept up by, carried along in a tide of emotion and familiar elements, but with a protagonist you desperately want to 'come good'.
When I say 'familiar elements' - some are decidedly uncommon. Andrew works for the council, entering the houses of the recently deceased in search of contact details for next of kin, attending funerals on their behalf when none are found. Seeing his own future in the homes of these lonely and isolated people, he hides the truth of his life from colleagues.
Also not conventionally, Andrew has kept up a facade for years at work, his colleagues all convinced he has a wife and two children. Until a new worker is put under his wing and he finds himself wishing he was 'unattached'.
Andrew lives in an online world outside of work, an all-encompassing one that may seem slightly bizarre to most, but in reality is his hobby, his obsession and his passion, just as everyone possesses. His model railway world, chat room, friends, is well-built into a realistic framework of conversations and brings a lot of warmth to his character. It also shows that trainspotting-types are just as tech-savvy (and potentially cool) as anyone else!
The story takes us through some morally grey and questionable areas - attraction between two people at work both 'attached', the long-term lies and deception Andrew has constructed and maintained. But the good humour and warmth of the story as Andrew and Peggy becomes friends and deal with both professional and personal issues together can't help but be relished. He's not a bad person, though he has made some poor decisions.
Just loved reading this, and have recommended it to others. Just the right sort of book for a bit of a lift, and it is very easy to picture it making a success on the screen as well, there are some lovely characters in the office staff (including a Come Dine with Me nightmare scenario) and the trainspotting friends who get a good moment or two in the spotlight.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.
ibisette's review against another edition
2.0
such a bland book. It started out with an interesting perspective, with Andrew's quite special job. So I kept reading hoping there would be more to it. I wish I had not taken the courage to finish it. Not worth it.
yarn_chicken's review against another edition
4.0
I very much enjoyed this one. I do think that it is good for people who liked Eleanor Oliphant. It's got a lot of heart.
thecurseofchris's review against another edition
4.0
So here's the thing about this book: I had to skim a chunk of it.
But not because the book is bad, but rather, because of the themes it talks about. It deals a lot with death, loneliness, and mental illness, so a lot of the "heavier" details just made me depressed.
However, the main plot line for the main character was genuinely good, and I quite enjoyed the author's writing style. I'd definitely recommend this book for the story alone, but you need to prepare yourself for the sad themes or you may be turned off by it.
But not because the book is bad, but rather, because of the themes it talks about. It deals a lot with death, loneliness, and mental illness, so a lot of the "heavier" details just made me depressed.
However, the main plot line for the main character was genuinely good, and I quite enjoyed the author's writing style. I'd definitely recommend this book for the story alone, but you need to prepare yourself for the sad themes or you may be turned off by it.
book_lizard42's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious, tender, heart-breaking, made me want to cheer. This is one of my best for this year so far.
rina_cza927's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0