Scan barcode
remigves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
essinink's review against another edition
5.0
A computer program has a story to tell, but the data has been corrupted.
I struggled to find words for this. I'm still struggling, to be honest. My favorite books have the tendency to twist reality to their whims, and this one is no exception. Finishing it out, I feel... satisfied with a lingering sense of "what the hell just happened?"
This doesn't read like a debut novel. The rhythm of the language (simple though the words might be), pushes the reader onwards, straining against the confines of the narrative. Skillful use of repeating imagery throughout the spiraling narrative packs emotional gut-punches as both the reader and the main character slowly realize what, exactly, is going on.
One thing that I didn't expect is that, as much as it's a post-disaster novel, it's also a very post-9/11 novel. I wasn't really expecting that. It's hard to realize that the formative experience of my late childhood is now history, part and parcel of collective memory, to be referenced in novels. It's not a bad thing, by any means, but it gave me a jolt.
This is a story about love, about loss, about what is left after the flesh ceases; and, ultimately, it's a book about genocide.
I love it to pieces. More, please?
---
ETA: Particularly in the first few chapters, there are some scenes and language not suitable for minors.
I struggled to find words for this. I'm still struggling, to be honest. My favorite books have the tendency to twist reality to their whims, and this one is no exception. Finishing it out, I feel... satisfied with a lingering sense of "what the hell just happened?"
This doesn't read like a debut novel. The rhythm of the language (simple though the words might be), pushes the reader onwards, straining against the confines of the narrative. Skillful use of repeating imagery throughout the spiraling narrative packs emotional gut-punches as both the reader and the main character slowly realize what, exactly, is going on.
One thing that I didn't expect is that, as much as it's a post-disaster novel, it's also a very post-9/11 novel. I wasn't really expecting that. It's hard to realize that the formative experience of my late childhood is now history, part and parcel of collective memory, to be referenced in novels. It's not a bad thing, by any means, but it gave me a jolt.
This is a story about love, about loss, about what is left after the flesh ceases; and, ultimately, it's a book about genocide.
I love it to pieces. More, please?
---
ETA: Particularly in the first few chapters, there are some scenes and language not suitable for minors.
em_p2's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The framing was complicated and it wasn’t communicated or executed in a way that made it accessible as a reader. I didn’t know what was going on for most of the book, even though I enjoyed the individual stories. Overall, I was unsatisfied with how it all shook out.
woahtemi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
redheadorganist's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Terminal illness, Torture, Transphobia, Physical abuse, and War
Moderate: Blood and Sexual content
peggy_racham's review against another edition
The writing style doesnt work for me. Not bad really just not for me
apetruce's review against another edition
2.0
The concept of this book is interesting but it fails to deliver. I like when an author forces the reader to puzzle out what's happening, and this is definitely the case here. However, there is just too much work involved in trying to piece together what is going on. The chapters are disjointed and character names are very similar which is confusing unless you really want to put the effort into trying to figure out which character is which. I didn't. Suddenly the story with the angel dad became interesting again but I still hadn't quite figured out what was going on. A little exposition earlier in the book from the author would've gone a long way.
auntblh's review against another edition
3.0
I got confused at times with the fluidity of the characters (names, genders) but it didn't bug me as much as it normally does. I think that was because there were a lot of similarities even with the changes. I'm looking forward to the discussion at book group.
futurememory's review against another edition
4.0
Woah.
Probably 4.5 stars, as it began to drag right in the middle, but radically picked up in the second half.
What a super complex, odd, intriguing novel, and pretty amazing for a debut. I don't even know how to go into details without spoiling the entire thing, but it's a love story of humanity. I absolutely loved all the repetitions here, all the cyclical occurrences that became more and more powerful as the novel went along.
If you love puzzle box narratives, where you're piecing together a narrative blind, and watching the full picture come into view over hundreds of pages, this is for you.
Probably 4.5 stars, as it began to drag right in the middle, but radically picked up in the second half.
What a super complex, odd, intriguing novel, and pretty amazing for a debut. I don't even know how to go into details without spoiling the entire thing, but it's a love story of humanity. I absolutely loved all the repetitions here, all the cyclical occurrences that became more and more powerful as the novel went along.
If you love puzzle box narratives, where you're piecing together a narrative blind, and watching the full picture come into view over hundreds of pages, this is for you.