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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
A page turner in a somewhat Haddonesque style, about an intriguing but utterly believeable friendship.
"Das unerhörte Leben des Alex Woods" ist für mich schwierig zu beurteilen. Einerseits sind die Charaktere durchweg total interessant und humorvoll, aber andererseits fehlt dem Buch dieses gewisse Etwas. Dieses Etwas, das dich fesselt und dich dazu bringt immer weiter zu lesen, immer mehr zu erfahren. Jenes konnte ich in diesem Buch leider nicht finden.
Nichtsdestotrotz bleibt es eine wunderschöne kleine Geschichte über die Freundschaft zwischen einem etwas anders denkendem Jungen und einem anfangs zynisch aber immer liebenswerten älteren Herren.
Wer also nicht zu viel erwartet und sich auf dieses Buch einlassen kann, der wird hiermit eine schöne Leseerfahrung machen können. Wer das nicht kann, für den wird Gavin Extence Roman vielleicht eher durchschnittlich, aber immer noch lesenswert ausfallen.
Nichtsdestotrotz bleibt es eine wunderschöne kleine Geschichte über die Freundschaft zwischen einem etwas anders denkendem Jungen und einem anfangs zynisch aber immer liebenswerten älteren Herren.
Wer also nicht zu viel erwartet und sich auf dieses Buch einlassen kann, der wird hiermit eine schöne Leseerfahrung machen können. Wer das nicht kann, für den wird Gavin Extence Roman vielleicht eher durchschnittlich, aber immer noch lesenswert ausfallen.
Such a lovely story with plenty of humour. The end was touching and brought a tear to my eye
I would give the first half of this book two stars and the second half four, resulting in a three star rating. The first half of the book established Alex's character and gave basis for the relationship with Mr. Peterson. It also felt very preachy in a way. While I enjoy reading books from the perspectives of different belief systems, I don't like when the book seems to be subliminally trying to convince me of believing with the character. For some reason I got that vibe from this book. It was very hard to get through the first 200 pages. After the midpoint the book transformed into a phenomenal piece. Maybe I was better able to connect to the characters because of my own life events at that point. The last 100 pages I could not put it down.
It was a 4 star to me because it wasn't exactly my kind of book, but it was pretty fabulous.
This is a lovely story. The evolving relationship between Alex and Mr. Peterson and how the story ties together seemingly diverse bits is really well done. I couldn't put it down -but didn't want it to end.
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
This was this past month's book club book. I read about a little over half before we discussed it and then I felt compelled to finish it even though I was pretty bored with it. My friend suggested that this was almost two separate books and I must say now having finished it, I wholeheartedly agree. The first part dragged on, gosh, how many bad things/events/episodes can happen to one teenager?? He gets struck in the head by a meteorite in his own home for heaven's sake! I just couldn't get past all the bad things, at points I was saying to myself, " Come on now! "
However, the second part discussing his book club reading all the Kurt Vonnegut books, his friendship with Mr. Peterson and his helping him with assisted suicide (they go to Switzerland, although a grim topic, it was rather touching and would certainly probably turn a lot of people who oppose assisted suicide the other way). For that reason, I give it a generous 3 stars. Their relationship and experience together was touching, but could have been a totally separate book from the first half which mainly involved Alex having mishap after mishap befallen him. Overall, I am left aching for a better read. This is certainly not a book I would be thrilled to tell others about.
However, the second part discussing his book club reading all the Kurt Vonnegut books, his friendship with Mr. Peterson and his helping him with assisted suicide (they go to Switzerland, although a grim topic, it was rather touching and would certainly probably turn a lot of people who oppose assisted suicide the other way). For that reason, I give it a generous 3 stars. Their relationship and experience together was touching, but could have been a totally separate book from the first half which mainly involved Alex having mishap after mishap befallen him. Overall, I am left aching for a better read. This is certainly not a book I would be thrilled to tell others about.
"The universe versus Alex Woods"….."the case that started with a bang but ended with a whimper "( p. 402).
It's for books like these that reading was invented. Seriously. A story so compelling, so beautifully written, so touching, ridiculously funny and yet serious at the same time, so well-balanced and told in an too-honest-to-be-good voice that it makes you laugh and cry and laugh and cry and laugh all over again. It makes you think Alex Woods. it makes you breathe Alex Woods and it makes you want to escape life and read this book forever. And ever. And ever.
We meet 17 year old Alex as he's being arrested in the port of Dover, returning to the UK from Switzerland, accompanied by a stock of cannabis and the ashes of his veteran friend Isaac. Needless to say the situation doesn't look good, but when Alex explains the events that have led to this arrest, you soon can't but feel the deepest sympathy and respect for this boy! Raised by his single little wacko mother, hit in the head by a meteor when he was 11 and suffering from epilepsy since then, Alex didn't have the most easy start in life. Yet Alex grows up just like everyone else, learning life lessons as they cross his path. When he has to spend time with his old retired neighbour to make up for trashing a greenhouse (which wasn't even his fault, but never mind), this is the start of a beautiful friendship. And the start of a wonderful tale about growing up, friendship, love, sickness, supporting each other and making difficult decisions. All of this without being patronising. At all.
Loved this from beginning to end!
It's for books like these that reading was invented. Seriously. A story so compelling, so beautifully written, so touching, ridiculously funny and yet serious at the same time, so well-balanced and told in an too-honest-to-be-good voice that it makes you laugh and cry and laugh and cry and laugh all over again. It makes you think Alex Woods. it makes you breathe Alex Woods and it makes you want to escape life and read this book forever. And ever. And ever.
We meet 17 year old Alex as he's being arrested in the port of Dover, returning to the UK from Switzerland, accompanied by a stock of cannabis and the ashes of his veteran friend Isaac. Needless to say the situation doesn't look good, but when Alex explains the events that have led to this arrest, you soon can't but feel the deepest sympathy and respect for this boy! Raised by his single little wacko mother, hit in the head by a meteor when he was 11 and suffering from epilepsy since then, Alex didn't have the most easy start in life. Yet Alex grows up just like everyone else, learning life lessons as they cross his path. When he has to spend time with his old retired neighbour to make up for trashing a greenhouse (which wasn't even his fault, but never mind), this is the start of a beautiful friendship. And the start of a wonderful tale about growing up, friendship, love, sickness, supporting each other and making difficult decisions. All of this without being patronising. At all.
Loved this from beginning to end!