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kibbles15's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Animal death
Minor: Medical trauma, Cursing, Terminal illness, Outing, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Hate crime, Pregnancy, and Bullying
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
So many people seem to love this book, but I found it so close to reality and depressing. I loved the premise of the book, the question of what would happen if everyone suddenly found out how long they would live. In this case, we meet a few individuals/couples who are each tied to someone with a short string. The world immediately begins a prejudice against short stringers, and we see how these individual’s lives are affected.
So much of the book focuses on all of the difficulties of what happens in this situation. (Mass suicide, shooting, bombings, hospital issues) So many things reminded me of the parts of life that hurt right now - politicians and political processes that hurt people and have to be the right way while taking away freedom from other people. A few years ago, I would have thought people would rise above bad news and chose kindness, but right now, maybe this is closer to the truth. Not to say, there are a few examples of kindness and the idea that kindness keeps trudging forward and making progress (while evil is enjoying the win).
Nonetheless, there is a lot to discuss.
“…sometimes overwhelmed Nina to think that she could spend an entire lifetime reading and never keep up.” Ch 1
“The mystery was only a few hours old, but some people were already interpreting the message to mean that the string inside your box foretold the ultimate length of your life. But how could that possibly be true? Ben thought. That would mean the world had flipped around, like the ceiling above him, the humans now seeing from God’s perspective.” Ch 2
“And yet no one could find concrete evidence to trust that these strings were anything more than strands of ordinary thread.” Ch 3
“…there was something almost . . . thrilling . . . about the strings’ arrival. Frightening and confusing, of course, but also, perhaps, wondrous?” …
…this was the first time the world outside of her books had ever rivaled the stories with its very own plot twist.”
Ch 8
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” —Matthew 7 - Ch 9
“Maybe it didn’t matter anymore where the strings had come from. Even if they were sent from heaven, or beamed down from outer space, or traveled back in time from the distant future, it was people who decided what to do with them now.” Ch 15
“…what might have happened if the strings had appeared before WWII?” Ch 18
“And maybe it isn’t even really about children. Maybe it’s the fact that now I can’t stop thinking about all the other doors that might be closing, too.” Ch 24
“Keep fighting, keep holding on, no matter what. But sometimes I think we forget that it also takes strength to be able to let go.” Ch 26
“The president just created two classes of citizens, based on strings.”
““But this is what humans have always done,” Maura said, her anger swelling inside. “We segment ourselves based on race or class or religion or whatever f-ing distinctions we decide to make up, and then we insist on treating each other differently. We never should have allowed them to start labeling people as ‘long-stringers’ and ‘short-stringers.’ We made it too easy for them.” Ch 30
“The measure of your life lies within. Sure, it’s pointing to the string inside, but maybe that’s not the only measure we have. Maybe there are thousands of other ways we could measure our lives—the true quality of our lives—that lie within us, not within some box. And, by your own measure, you can still be happy.” Ch 54
“…this woman’s life had been lengthened simply because Hank had been alive, and Ben realized that there was more than one way to live on.” Ch 61
“…grateful, to live as much life as possible. And I think that’s as good a measure as any.” Ch 62
“What about all the choices that we make, each day? Who we choose to be, and how we choose to love? Every choice that was made to look, or never look, inside the box.” Ch 72
“The Tree of Knowledge. The reminder that we will all find our ultimate rest beneath the soil, nourishing the life that grows above us.” Ch 73
3.5 stars rounded up
So much of the book focuses on all of the difficulties of what happens in this situation. (Mass suicide, shooting, bombings, hospital issues) So many things reminded me of the parts of life that hurt right now - politicians and political processes that hurt people and have to be the right way while taking away freedom from other people. A few years ago, I would have thought people would rise above bad news and chose kindness, but right now, maybe this is closer to the truth. Not to say, there are a few examples of kindness and the idea that kindness keeps trudging forward and making progress (while evil is enjoying the win).
Nonetheless, there is a lot to discuss.
“…sometimes overwhelmed Nina to think that she could spend an entire lifetime reading and never keep up.” Ch 1
“The mystery was only a few hours old, but some people were already interpreting the message to mean that the string inside your box foretold the ultimate length of your life. But how could that possibly be true? Ben thought. That would mean the world had flipped around, like the ceiling above him, the humans now seeing from God’s perspective.” Ch 2
“And yet no one could find concrete evidence to trust that these strings were anything more than strands of ordinary thread.” Ch 3
“…there was something almost . . . thrilling . . . about the strings’ arrival. Frightening and confusing, of course, but also, perhaps, wondrous?” …
…this was the first time the world outside of her books had ever rivaled the stories with its very own plot twist.”
Ch 8
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” —Matthew 7 - Ch 9
“Maybe it didn’t matter anymore where the strings had come from. Even if they were sent from heaven, or beamed down from outer space, or traveled back in time from the distant future, it was people who decided what to do with them now.” Ch 15
“…what might have happened if the strings had appeared before WWII?” Ch 18
“And maybe it isn’t even really about children. Maybe it’s the fact that now I can’t stop thinking about all the other doors that might be closing, too.” Ch 24
“Keep fighting, keep holding on, no matter what. But sometimes I think we forget that it also takes strength to be able to let go.” Ch 26
“The president just created two classes of citizens, based on strings.”
““But this is what humans have always done,” Maura said, her anger swelling inside. “We segment ourselves based on race or class or religion or whatever f-ing distinctions we decide to make up, and then we insist on treating each other differently. We never should have allowed them to start labeling people as ‘long-stringers’ and ‘short-stringers.’ We made it too easy for them.” Ch 30
“The measure of your life lies within. Sure, it’s pointing to the string inside, but maybe that’s not the only measure we have. Maybe there are thousands of other ways we could measure our lives—the true quality of our lives—that lie within us, not within some box. And, by your own measure, you can still be happy.” Ch 54
“…this woman’s life had been lengthened simply because Hank had been alive, and Ben realized that there was more than one way to live on.” Ch 61
“…grateful, to live as much life as possible. And I think that’s as good a measure as any.” Ch 62
“What about all the choices that we make, each day? Who we choose to be, and how we choose to love? Every choice that was made to look, or never look, inside the box.” Ch 72
“The Tree of Knowledge. The reminder that we will all find our ultimate rest beneath the soil, nourishing the life that grows above us.” Ch 73
3.5 stars rounded up
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Medical content, Racism, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Violence, and War
sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
One morning the whole world changes. Everyone 22 years and older wakes to find a box at their front door holding a string. This string is the measure of their life. And so ensues a new way to segregate humans. Those with short strings and those with long. With this comes the propaganda of the reckless and dangerous short stringers who should be restricted from holding positions of power and denied jobs, loans and other privileges for those long stringers.
We follow the stories of 8 (don’t test me on that number) characters and their decisions around their strings and what they mean. Of course as many multiple point of view novels as we wind our way though the first year of “having the strings” their lives all slowly and subtly intertwine.
I enjoyed the social justice aspects of the novel and seeing again how easily the human race can be pitted against each other in fear of differences. I did find some of the book predictable and even in the most dramatic moments the book was too calm. I wanted more tension, more angst.
Overall a really good story of human relationships fighting diversity.
We follow the stories of 8 (don’t test me on that number) characters and their decisions around their strings and what they mean. Of course as many multiple point of view novels as we wind our way though the first year of “having the strings” their lives all slowly and subtly intertwine.
I enjoyed the social justice aspects of the novel and seeing again how easily the human race can be pitted against each other in fear of differences. I did find some of the book predictable and even in the most dramatic moments the book was too calm. I wanted more tension, more angst.
Overall a really good story of human relationships fighting diversity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Mass/school shootings, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Hate crime, Car accident, War, Outing, and Death of parent
kaitlynnnng's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.0
This book started off STRONG, so I thought I would end up rating it 5 stars, classifying it was one of my favorite books I read this year. I certainly still enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t what I expected.
I liked how the characters and their stories connected. I was frustrated, though, that we never got an answer as to how or why the strings appeared. I get the symbolism: in life, we don’t always know the “why” nor can we always control what happens to us, but we can control our reaction to it; I just wish we got an answer in the story.
I liked how the characters and their stories connected. I was frustrated, though, that we never got an answer as to how or why the strings appeared. I get the symbolism: in life, we don’t always know the “why” nor can we always control what happens to us, but we can control our reaction to it; I just wish we got an answer in the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Cancer, Outing, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, War, Car accident, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
marareading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
What would you do if one day you woke one day to find out that every single adult in the world could know the length of their life? As you can imagine the world could easily fold to chaos. Wow. This book will stay with me.
Eight people. All wake one day to a world who all have a small chest with a string inside showing how long they'll live. Governments, religions, families, jobs, friends, marriages, all changed overnight. Looking at everything differently. The value of life changing and being argued.
The different perspectives, and human experiences. The way people's experiences were intertwined. I was gripped, and touched. This reflects SO WELL the world we live in. I'll be thinking of this book for a long time to come. Absolutely brilliant. 10/10 recommend.
Eight people. All wake one day to a world who all have a small chest with a string inside showing how long they'll live. Governments, religions, families, jobs, friends, marriages, all changed overnight. Looking at everything differently. The value of life changing and being argued.
The different perspectives, and human experiences. The way people's experiences were intertwined. I was gripped, and touched. This reflects SO WELL the world we live in. I'll be thinking of this book for a long time to come. Absolutely brilliant. 10/10 recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Ableism, Classism, Mass/school shootings, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Cancer, War, and Racism
nikimorr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Hate crime
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