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madison_bernabe88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
pritabread's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jesscad's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A retired man struggling to find meaning in later life begins working in a old age home to both touching and humorous results.
txdeedee25's review against another edition
3.0
This had the potential to be a wonderful book but then Bob ran away from home. I seriously hope there is somewhere hidden, symbolism or some kind of whatever I was supposed to learn about in HS English. I must have been absent that day.
lnoelle's review against another edition
3.0
3.5ish. 71 year old Bob Comets life story told in dribs and drabs. Some good lines.
jaklyn_heath_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This was a bit of a let down to be honest.
This novel started off incredibly strong for me. I loved the cast of characters, I loved the situation that was set up, it felt almost like a Backman novel and that had me really excited for what was to come.
I liked the first flashback which helped us understand the present timeline better but the flashback to when Ben Comet was a child was very slow and had me uninterested in picking up this book- hence why it took me so long to finish. Unfortunately, I fail to see how this flashback relates to the rest of the novel in any way. I felt like it was a total deviation from the rest of the story and in the end, it didn’t pay off- it would have been a better story without it in my opinion.
I was also sorely disappointed in the ending of the novel. It just sort of ends. There isn’t much or a resolution or conclusion which I felt this kind of story needed. Maybe I just didn’t understand the point the author was trying to make- if there was one? But I feel kind of cheated out of an ending for this story.
I don’t think I can recommend this to other readers as, despite how strong the beginning of the novel was and how much I really enjoyed that section, I really disliked other parts which ended up making this difficult to read due to my disinterest.
This novel started off incredibly strong for me. I loved the cast of characters, I loved the situation that was set up, it felt almost like a Backman novel and that had me really excited for what was to come.
I liked the first flashback which helped us understand the present timeline better but the flashback to when Ben Comet was a child was very slow and had me uninterested in picking up this book- hence why it took me so long to finish. Unfortunately, I fail to see how this flashback relates to the rest of the novel in any way. I felt like it was a total deviation from the rest of the story and in the end, it didn’t pay off- it would have been a better story without it in my opinion.
I was also sorely disappointed in the ending of the novel. It just sort of ends. There isn’t much or a resolution or conclusion which I felt this kind of story needed. Maybe I just didn’t understand the point the author was trying to make- if there was one? But I feel kind of cheated out of an ending for this story.
I don’t think I can recommend this to other readers as, despite how strong the beginning of the novel was and how much I really enjoyed that section, I really disliked other parts which ended up making this difficult to read due to my disinterest.
heathl14's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lizoxf2024's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.0
hannah_stocker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
an interesting reflection on an ordinary life, The Librarianist offers insight into the parts of the ordinary life of Bob Comet which is not so ordinary. The book provides insight into his life at different sections, with an abrupt ending but one which I think ties into the story of his youth nicely. A great book to read on the daily commute.
erinjp123's review against another edition
Kind of oddly set up (whhhhy did we do the run away scene? I'm not sure). I loved the characters in the retirement community especially Linus. Had Arthur Less meets Man Called Ove vibes