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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
This book had shown the magic of neurology and psychology combined. How the story unravel had caught me off-guard, it has been an amazing read.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
If you like Chuck Palahniuk's style, you should definitely give Liz Jensen a try. In this book, there are two narrators, each with a really distinctive voice. Louis is a disturbed 9-year-old boy who has fallen (or was he pushed?) off a cliff on his 9th birthday while on a picnic with his estranged parents. His father goes missing the same afternoon and Louis dies, but comes back to life and introduces himself to the reader while in a coma. He also likes to tack explanatory phrases onto the ends of sentences. I was laughing out loud at some of the things Louis says, like when he's explaining how you're allowed to squash your hamster with a copy of [b:Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|2|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)|J.K. Rowling|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MH9T1MTGL._SL75_.jpg|2809203] if he's lived two years, or quoting his mother talking about how manipulating your son is the WORST THING A MOTHER CAN DO (talking about her husband and his mother).
The other narrator is Dr. Danachet, who works at the Hospital for the Incurables and is in charge of caring for Louis while in the coma. Danachet is a good guy, but is tempted away from his wife by the lovely Mrs. Drax. Because the doctor only meets Louis and his mother after the boy has fallen off a cliff, he is an impartial witness/investigator when it comes to sorting out why Louis is so messed up and how he ended up falling off the cliff.
This book starts out odd and just gets weirder as it goes along. There are elements of the supernatural that push the boundaries of reality. I suppose people *could* communicate in dreams, come back from the dead, etc., so I won't call this a fantasy. But it is one of those books that had me picking up another by the same author right away.
The other narrator is Dr. Danachet, who works at the Hospital for the Incurables and is in charge of caring for Louis while in the coma. Danachet is a good guy, but is tempted away from his wife by the lovely Mrs. Drax. Because the doctor only meets Louis and his mother after the boy has fallen off a cliff, he is an impartial witness/investigator when it comes to sorting out why Louis is so messed up and how he ended up falling off the cliff.
This book starts out odd and just gets weirder as it goes along. There are elements of the supernatural that push the boundaries of reality. I suppose people *could* communicate in dreams, come back from the dead, etc., so I won't call this a fantasy. But it is one of those books that had me picking up another by the same author right away.
I began this book with high hopes that were quickly dashed. It is very slow paced & a bit hard to follow. I was extremely bored while reading it. Very disappointing.
3.5 stars. A little annoyed Dr. Dannachet had to keep telling us over and over how in love with Natalie he was and how he needed to save her. I don't care about your hero complex, men! At least there were levels of self-awareness about it.
But towards the end I really started to get invested.
Overall not a bad read. I'll probably check out some of her other works.
But towards the end I really started to get invested.
Overall not a bad read. I'll probably check out some of her other works.
Creepy and full of the psychological stuff that makes things really creepy. Our book club choice, so I won't go into details until March sometime. I promise no spoilers.
Too short. Could've been 200 pages longer and really delved into some of the main characters better. There was the makings of a good thriller with a bit of a fantasy twist but it was too rushed. I was not satisfied by the twist, it was expected. The author tries too hard to make Dr. Dannachet harbour inner turmoil over his existence, it's not believable and o don't empathise with him at any point in this short novel. Hopefully the movie does a bit better
I like the issue they brought forth. Louis end narration to Perez's questioning was eerie but... just good.
Full review sometime later~
Full review sometime later~
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dark and strange, dreamlike and awful, and so, so, sad