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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
informative
reflective
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:
Complicated
Superb novel of ideas.
I wanted to finish, and tried. Almost three hours in and it was very difficult to keep track of characters and what was going on.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Without a background in philosophy or any real knowledge of the three great thinkers whose lives and thoughts form the foundation of this novel, I don’t think I am really ready for it. I think there’s a lot here that I didn’t understand, or probably missed altogether.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Suicide, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, Deportation
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
This was an absolutely stunning read. I’m not sure that I understood all of it but that didn’t detract from my experience. This is philosophical and heady without being inaccessible. The way she layers memory, both personal and collective, with history and time was so masterful. Really beautiful read.
I have so much respect for Madeleine Thien and this book, which does the hard work of grappling with ethics, philosophy, history, and human interactions big and small. Some threads are more compelling than others (does she like Hannah best?) and the enunciation of big ideas was maybe too frequent. Overall, I didn't feel much emotional investment in the story but I'm glad I read it and I'd say it's impressive.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No