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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I initially gave this book five stars, as I was absolutely thrilled while reading it to have found exactly the sort of character-driven historical novel that I adore. However, after voraciously devouring the novel in only three days, I allowed myself some time to reflect on it and found the ending ultimately unsatisfying, although not necessarily surprising. I had been extremely excited while reading it that the book had all the atmosphere of a classic fairy tale - the fanciful mystical jewel that brought all the characters together, the theme of the interconnectedness of everyone and everything regardless of seeming importance, the constant reiteration of the need to believe in something merely for the sake of believing. And yet, for all its desire to be a classic fairytale, the book took the easy way out at the end and gave us a deconstructionist modern ending. I was willing and wanting to believe in the triumph of the human spirit, to believe that fairytales can still be told in the modern world, but for all Doerr seems to want to go there he gives an ultimately unsatisfying final chapter that feels completely forced. As though he had actually written a different ending that fit with the humanistic tone and celebration of love that permeated every chapter, but some editor told him that "modern audiences don't like that sort of thing - you have to make it 'real' [read, depressing and pessimistic] or no critic will praise your book." It is still a wonderful book, with excellent characters and ambiance and message - I just cannot seem to bring myself to like the ending.
I listened to the audio version of this book. The writing is wonderful, but I never really became invested in the story. It felt boring at times. I also lost my place in the story frequently and would have to go back and listen to parts over again (I rarely have to do that with audio books). Maybe it’s all problems with the audio’s narrator?
And don’t get me wrong, there were many aspects of the book that I enjoyed..... mainly the descriptive prose.
And don’t get me wrong, there were many aspects of the book that I enjoyed..... mainly the descriptive prose.
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Exquisite. Meticulous character work and lush, evocative writing combined with the horror, poignancy, and drama of war make this an unforgettable read. Doerr's prose is unmistakably beautiful and his meticulous detail-work in constructing his worlds makes everything feel as real as if you were standing there with his characters. And the characters! Every one of them breathes with life. I cried several times reading this, especially near the end where I had to set the book aside to collect myself more than once. And yet, for all the despondency and horror, every aspect of this novel is shot through with spiderwebbed hope. Its foundations are set in how much kindness, thoughtfulness, creativity, and beauty can generate goodness, can create connections, and can even save lives.
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a difficult book to review. At times it seems so simple, at others, incredibly complex. The writing takes on a swiftness and urgency part way through that makes the reader feel like they're racing down the first drop on a roller-coaster. There are so many beautiful moments, and the two main characters are interesting, tragic, and empathetic. I must say that the final chapters left me vaguely disappointed, but overall a wonderful read.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
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
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes