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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Very easy read, but funny & touching. Really hard to not picture George Clooney as the main character.
Interesting book, if a bit slow. Not sure I'd like the movie version...
Excellent writing and a perfect example of an unreliable, flawed narrator. All the other characters are deeply flawed as well, but how Matt King, the narrator, moves through his grief and anger is truly compelling. Lots of humor in here as well.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I started this book with some trepidation. i had the sense that it was going to be. . . "mushy." And, to a large degree, it was. I kept seeing George Clooney and thought I was having some kind of weird episode, "why am I envisioning George Clooney while I read this?" I have since discovered that he is in the movie version of this and cancelled my psychiatric appointment. This book was funny in some places where it had no right to be, touching in others, and thoughtful throughout. It was actually pretty good.
Perhaps it's the fact that I have two challenging daughters, perhaps I am sensitive to wives in comas, or maybe I just like all the ukulele references. The ending, while sad, is as hopeful as it could be with the circumstances dealt to Matt King and his brood. At the start Matt is lost, his daughters are lost, and Matt's entire family is hard at work on selling their legacy. That legacy being a large parcel of Hawaiian land (I don't think they make Hawaiian land much anymore so it must be pretty valuable). Matt's wife, Joanie, is in a coma and is being removed from life support. Through the loss of his wife Matt rediscovers his family and makes a decision about what his legacy should be.
Perhaps it's the fact that I have two challenging daughters, perhaps I am sensitive to wives in comas, or maybe I just like all the ukulele references. The ending, while sad, is as hopeful as it could be with the circumstances dealt to Matt King and his brood. At the start Matt is lost, his daughters are lost, and Matt's entire family is hard at work on selling their legacy. That legacy being a large parcel of Hawaiian land (I don't think they make Hawaiian land much anymore so it must be pretty valuable). Matt's wife, Joanie, is in a coma and is being removed from life support. Through the loss of his wife Matt rediscovers his family and makes a decision about what his legacy should be.
I feel like there is a love/hate relationship with this book. I really wanted to like it, but the first part was so long and drawn out and the rest was depressing. I still want to see the movie, but for such a short book, it was a very long read for me.
Told from a father's/husband's perspective and very well done. Often I see a look on a man's face that says "but I did what I was supposed to do, go to work, make money, make my family comfortable" when he is blindsided by tragedy. In this case, Matt is blindsided by life. In a coma, Joanie jumps out of the pages as a selfish, obnoxious brat whose behavior is validated by shallow, vapid acquaintances and ... her FATHER. This story is riddled with royalty, history, privilege, struggle, and bravery. Matt is seen as a very weak, impotent man but when push comes to shove his bravery to do what is right, not what is convenient is more admirable than engaging in risky behavior.
This was such a great story. It was written simply but is riddled with symbolism, parallels, dynamic characters and drama. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This was such a great story. It was written simply but is riddled with symbolism, parallels, dynamic characters and drama. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
emotional
hopeful
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