You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
hopeful
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly it felt kinda trite! But I was pretty happy going along for the ride until the final person he met. I think having it be someone he accidentally killed during the war, and a child at that, was a cheap twist to keep you wondering if he saved the kid at the start or not. I know the book is kinda ABOUT fate and how life is made up of accidents and coincidences, but also sometimes people do bad things on purpose and that might have been more interesting to explore. I wished he had met the enemy soldier he killed that had been nice to him. I hate that the child was trapped there waiting to be lesson for the man that killed her. I hate that she spoke broken english.
I don't think that I'm interested enough in the vague brand of spiritualism that this book is about.
I don't think that I'm interested enough in the vague brand of spiritualism that this book is about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Car accident
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked the concept of this book but the execution felt rushed and disappointing. The "morals" felt like inspirational quotes you see on facebook rather than something actually deep and meaningful. The main thing that I hated was excusing his father's lifelong abuse and making Eddie forgive him because the dad didn't quite kill the guy who sexually assaulted his wife . That seems very poorly thought out without considering the nuance and complicated emotions that would actually be involved in the situation.
If you like the idea of this story, I would recommend "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig instead, or even "On the Other Side" by Carrie Hope Fletcher. Personally, I enjoyed them far more.
If you like the idea of this story, I would recommend "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig instead, or even "On the Other Side" by Carrie Hope Fletcher. Personally, I enjoyed them far more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Alcoholism, Infertility, Vomit, Alcohol
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Likes:
- Quick, easy read
- Not overly preachy/God toned language
- Liked the theme of someone who is unhappy with where they are in the world being able to come to terms with their life and find some sort of meaning.
- Learned that Kewpie was originally plastic dolls and not just Japanese mayo hahah
Dislikes:
- I kept forgetting that Eddie was in his 80s. The way he was portrayed made him seem like he was much younger. Also, I feel that he likely had some time to reflect during his aging process and not be so shocked by his death (although it was caused by a horrific accident)
- The 5-year-old Asian girl somehow knew English but not well enough to speak properly. Find it sort of sad that the main/only POC character in this book was portrayed this way (especially in the magical world of heaven)
- Throughout the book I felt like I was being told how to feel rather than feeling it for myself.
- His relationship with Margueritte felt unhealthy, as if he idolized her, yet we don't find out that she has died until near the very end. Why was he not looking forward to potentially meeting her in heaven?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexual assault
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Terminal illness