Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
It’s not necessarily bad, I am just having trouble getting into it right now.
I really enjoy Kelly Link’s short stories, and her lyrical writing and amazing character work infuse the Book of Love.
I understand some lower ratings - you can see Link’s prowess as a short story writer in that most of the book feels like a novel-in-stories rather than a traditional novel, and that greatly slows the pacing. It takes a long time for things to really get going, and there are plot lines (like the tiger one) that could be dropped without losing much.
That being said, this is a powerful and heartfelt novel and I know it’ll stick with me. It’s a meditation on death and grieving, what it means for someone to be real, legacy, and every form of love.
*spoiler* There’s a particular plot twist near the end about three people who aren’t exactly real and though you immediately know who they are, that gut punch is painful. But Link beautifully handles the Buffy-style even though they aren’t real they’re still family feeling and I knew I could trust her that whatever happened, it wouldn’t feel painful *end spoiler*
Book of Love is experimental in form (occasionally to its deficit), but it is worth the read and everyone in it truly feels real.
I understand some lower ratings - you can see Link’s prowess as a short story writer in that most of the book feels like a novel-in-stories rather than a traditional novel, and that greatly slows the pacing. It takes a long time for things to really get going, and there are plot lines (like the tiger one) that could be dropped without losing much.
That being said, this is a powerful and heartfelt novel and I know it’ll stick with me. It’s a meditation on death and grieving, what it means for someone to be real, legacy, and every form of love.
*spoiler* There’s a particular plot twist near the end about three people who aren’t exactly real and though you immediately know who they are, that gut punch is painful. But Link beautifully handles the Buffy-style even though they aren’t real they’re still family feeling and I knew I could trust her that whatever happened, it wouldn’t feel painful *end spoiler*
Book of Love is experimental in form (occasionally to its deficit), but it is worth the read and everyone in it truly feels real.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-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
What a delicious feast. There’s a review that says this is a book for people who enjoy to read, more so than for people who enjoy finishing books. And I totally get it. I wish it never ended.
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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 have so many thoughts and so few words. So delicious and strange. So magical and meaningful.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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 have a soft spot for books that are memorable and unique. I can't think of another book like this one. I enjoy the way the style plays with voice. The plot is all over the place, but the prose is fun and the characters are endearing. I was never bored, and that's all I really ask for.
What keywords can I even come up with for this book? It's YA I suppose but it feels a little more literary fiction. Magic. Bargains with Powerful Forces. Mystery. Love. Sisterhood. Music. Small towns. Half of these words don't seem right but I don't want to give a lot away. I can't emphasize enough that I really enjoyed how unique this story is.
What keywords can I even come up with for this book? It's YA I suppose but it feels a little more literary fiction. Magic. Bargains with Powerful Forces. Mystery. Love. Sisterhood. Music. Small towns. Half of these words don't seem right but I don't want to give a lot away. I can't emphasize enough that I really enjoyed how unique this story is.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes