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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Fast read...I'll watch the movie when it comes out on DVD
I very nearly gave this book five stars, but part of my criteria is that a book has to spur some sort of curiosity, and inspire me to find out more about a part of the story or the author, and this one did not. However, it was a fantastic read! This book has been made into a movie that is due out later this year, starring George Clooney. A trailer for the movie actually led me to reading the book, and I am glad it did.
The story revolves around a family in Hawaii, and more specifically from the point of view of the husband/father figure. His wife, mother of his two daughters, has recently been hospitalized after a horrific accident has left her in a coma. Matt has never been very involved in the lives of his children, and although he loves them and his wife, his work as an attorney has often been his major focus. Suddenly, he is thrown into the role of active parent and partner; realizing how much he has missed already, he throws himself into making up for lost time, all the while coming to terms with his wife's impending death.
It sounds dark, but Hart Hemmings does a good job of lightening such a serious subject in a way that is inspiring and respectful. I am looking forward to seeing the film, and finding out if the movie keeps some of the best scenes of the book -- most specifically, one instance when Matt's youngest daughter wears a t-shirt that says "Mrs. Clooney".
The story revolves around a family in Hawaii, and more specifically from the point of view of the husband/father figure. His wife, mother of his two daughters, has recently been hospitalized after a horrific accident has left her in a coma. Matt has never been very involved in the lives of his children, and although he loves them and his wife, his work as an attorney has often been his major focus. Suddenly, he is thrown into the role of active parent and partner; realizing how much he has missed already, he throws himself into making up for lost time, all the while coming to terms with his wife's impending death.
It sounds dark, but Hart Hemmings does a good job of lightening such a serious subject in a way that is inspiring and respectful. I am looking forward to seeing the film, and finding out if the movie keeps some of the best scenes of the book -- most specifically, one instance when Matt's youngest daughter wears a t-shirt that says "Mrs. Clooney".
I wanted to like this book. It takes place in a beautiful setting, the story is interesting but I just couldn't get my arms around it.
There were a ton of Hawaiian words in it. I thought I would be okay with this because I have family from Hawaii and my knowledge of the language is probably better than most, but I struggled with this book.
The book is also almost entirely dialogue. I felt there was no set up or explanation where I wanted it. The style, while much better written than I what I produced, felt like the style of writing I used when I wrote books in elementary and middle school.
One of the reasons I chose to read this book was because of the legal implications of the rule against perpetuities. This kind of lingered in the background of the story and while the story line worked, it never really did anything.
The characters are mostly good. I felt I got to know both daughters (Scottie is hilarious), Sid- the boyfriend and Joanie- the mom, but the book didn't really give much information about Matt- the point of view of the book. Maybe that is why I couldn't get into it. I felt like there wasn't any heart behind what he was saying. I didn't connect with him.
There were a ton of Hawaiian words in it. I thought I would be okay with this because I have family from Hawaii and my knowledge of the language is probably better than most, but I struggled with this book.
The book is also almost entirely dialogue. I felt there was no set up or explanation where I wanted it. The style, while much better written than I what I produced, felt like the style of writing I used when I wrote books in elementary and middle school.
One of the reasons I chose to read this book was because of the legal implications of the rule against perpetuities. This kind of lingered in the background of the story and while the story line worked, it never really did anything.
The characters are mostly good. I felt I got to know both daughters (Scottie is hilarious), Sid- the boyfriend and Joanie- the mom, but the book didn't really give much information about Matt- the point of view of the book. Maybe that is why I couldn't get into it. I felt like there wasn't any heart behind what he was saying. I didn't connect with him.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautifully written and immensely entertaining. Be warned, the whole book is about his wife dying and this (along with certain processes) may trigger some people.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
The Pathos of Matt King becomes terribly sad, discovering the layers of pain he and his family face with the tragedy-stricken wife. A novel about despondency, searching for closure, through the wave of life (had to throw a surfing pun in there). Overall, a heavy potential-filled book turned a wonderfully crafted movie.
Unbelievable and unlikable characters abound in this book. I don't mind books that have just unlikeable characters so much as they're explained and built up to where can we can understand their choices and personalities. This book just didn't deliver that in my opinion. The author had opportunities to explain these characters and build up the plot but choose not to for some reason. Honestly regret reading this book but did so because I'm going to see the movie with some family. I've heard it's better than the book but was changed a lot plot wise. I'll cross my fingers that this is true.
Ich besitze eine Version mit nem wirklich furchtbarem Cover - und musste immer, wenn ich irgendwie darauf angesprochen wurde ("Was liest du denn da?"), sehr lange über den Inhalt reden, um irgendwelche Zweifel einzudämmen, ob ich mich nicht gerade in ner Mid-Life Crisis befinde. Mit 22.
Das Buch zieht eine:n (oder mich zumindest) aber - selbst nach längerer Lesepause - nach nur wenigen Seiten wieder komplett in den Bann, sodass die Inhaltsangabe gar kein Problem war.
Ich glaube es kam selten, vielleicht sogar noch nie vor, dass ich die Figuren in einem Buch so toll geschrieben fand, wie hier. Alle mit den ganzen eigenen Macken, manche gravierender als andere, aber alle so realistisch, menschlich, nachvollziehbar und viele in ständiger Selbstreflexion auf den Punkt gebracht. Die Ich-Narration macht hier wirklich ganz ganz viel & ich finde es immer wieder beeindruckend wie toll Autorinnen Männerfiguren schreiben können, während umgekehrt so unglaublicher Müll verzapft wird.
Ich empfehle ganz dringend das Englische Original zu lesen - wie Matts Gedankengänge oder Sids Witze übersetzt wurden, möchte ich mir bei allem Respekt lieber nicht vorstellen.
Das Buch zieht eine:n (oder mich zumindest) aber - selbst nach längerer Lesepause - nach nur wenigen Seiten wieder komplett in den Bann, sodass die Inhaltsangabe gar kein Problem war.
Ich glaube es kam selten, vielleicht sogar noch nie vor, dass ich die Figuren in einem Buch so toll geschrieben fand, wie hier. Alle mit den ganzen eigenen Macken, manche gravierender als andere, aber alle so realistisch, menschlich, nachvollziehbar und viele in ständiger Selbstreflexion auf den Punkt gebracht. Die Ich-Narration macht hier wirklich ganz ganz viel & ich finde es immer wieder beeindruckend wie toll Autorinnen Männerfiguren schreiben können, während umgekehrt so unglaublicher Müll verzapft wird.
Ich empfehle ganz dringend das Englische Original zu lesen - wie Matts Gedankengänge oder Sids Witze übersetzt wurden, möchte ich mir bei allem Respekt lieber nicht vorstellen.