Scan barcode
curriedpeas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Death
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
fernash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Medical content, Trafficking, Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, and Death of parent
rmkg's review against another edition
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child death, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
pacifickat's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
A lot of disappointed reviewers seemed to want this book to be more than it was, the plot to follow a traditional post-apocalyptic road narrative, with characters fighting for survival in a dystopian landscape punctuated by violent encounters. However, Mandel seems to resist these expected devices, focusing instead on how humans are connected across time and space, nature and technology, and generations. The pandemic in this story demarcates a divide between past and present, a clear before and after. But, is existence more than our perceived notion of time and oir relationship to pivotal moments in history? Does a web of interconnectivity carry through all existence even when we cannot perceive it, even when the world seemingly ends? What is this reality we’re living in? Is it patterned beforehand, or only when looked at it in retrospect, like a forest ecosystem growing organically together? Can meaning and beauty miraculously arise out of mundanity and messiness? Is being briefly and beautifully alive and part of a cosmic whole enough of a miracle in itself? Do we make stories, or do the stories make us? What exists because of us, and what exists outside of us?
It’s complicated.
This seeming magic encircles and envelops conscious existence, but goes unnoticed by the humans navigating the complexities of the pre-pandemic modern world, or fighting to survive in post-pandemic reality. A repeated element of looking upward to the sky when faced with death carries throughout, perhaps searching for sufficient meaning or beauty when survival is not guaranteed and everything finally falls still. Is this akin to the sublime moment the actress dissolves into Titania on stage, her stained wedding gown becoming the adornment of a magical fairy queen?
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Grief, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Violence, and Child death
Minor: Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Rape, and Alcoholism
ivelisse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Kidnapping, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Violence
Minor: Rape
daniellekat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Gun violence
Minor: Rape and Adult/minor relationship
mishellsch's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Now to finish the last few episodes of the miniseries. The miniseries adjusted some of the characters' storylines to help format the plot for the screen. So far, I don't mind the changes.
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Suicide
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
paularize's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
hmogie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Death and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child abuse and Adult/minor relationship
cueba's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Very minimal spoiler that details on the antagonist:
The prose is so damn good but it barely has any plot. Some main characters also have not much of personality. Very minimal spoiler that details on the protagonists:
On to the prose: it's good. Like so-many-highlights-good. The tone is consistent (that is: slow) and I loved how it's built up—this is a book that seems planned from start to finish. I personally liked how the Prophet is handled but it might not be enough for others. The ending is heartwarming and I think it's such a fitting end! Solid read, and I'll definitely check out the author's other books! :)
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Rape and Gun violence