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absolute_bookery's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I wanted to love it but I duno, it was really long to listen to, the resolution was very sudden... Also his brother was a dickhead!!!
kinnimomo's review
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
4.0
erakow13's review
2.0
I liked this but didn’t love it. The subject matter was interesting enough and I thought the storytelling was fairly solid, but the writing style never hit its stride for me. So many clunky metaphors and use of the same adjectives over and over again. Overall, this book felt like a seminar-in-comp essay, but the strong plot and mostly fleshed-out characters still made for an okay read.
chrisleesounds's review
4.0
This was a great book. While the narrative focuses on an Indian family, and Indian culture is central to the story, and being that I’m a white American, none of that mattered. There are so many central themes of familial relationships and self-identity that this is a story for everyone. However, I also enjoyed glimpses of Indian and Hindu culture that proved to be edification for a reader with my background. I loved the writing style, and I loved the structure of the story. Literally, the only thing that kept me from giving it a 5 Star rating was that the ending was not what I wanted. It’s not a bad ending, and I still loved this book—I was just yearning for certain things at the end of the book from which the author, Neel Patel, purposely shied away. It’s probably just me. Still, read this book—you won’t be disappointed.
atreegrowsinbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Can I give this book, and the characters, a hug? Cause I need it after finishing this book. What a rollercoaster of emotions. After reading just the first few pages, I was hooked. And I knew this would be a great book. And it was but great doesn’t even begin to describe it.
I felt like I was standing at the edge of something, maybe at the beach where the water and sand meet. Or maybe before a cliff looking into the distance. The horizon just visible. I felt the warm air hit me. The wave as the tide comes in, the sound finally reaching my ears. I didn’t expect to connect with this book like I did. A part of me is different after reading. Like I better understand how the flaws we feel in ourselves don’t need to be focused on. That secrets are worth sharing. To let someone in and know your truth. That people will surprise you. And that we can learn and get over that mistakes that we’ve made
I know that this book with stay with me for some time.
Favorite lines:
Page 27: “But sometimes once is all it takes, one misstep, one fall, and your life can change forever.”
Page160: “People are like pencils; they shade us in. Sometimes they smudge us. Other times they define us.”
Page 275: “We attach so many extraneous things to people when that’s all they really are: people.”
Page 283: “I’ve always hated goodbyes, the lump that forms in your throat, the shame of unwanted tears, the way your own body betrays you, revealing the messiness inside.”
I felt like I was standing at the edge of something, maybe at the beach where the water and sand meet. Or maybe before a cliff looking into the distance. The horizon just visible. I felt the warm air hit me. The wave as the tide comes in, the sound finally reaching my ears. I didn’t expect to connect with this book like I did. A part of me is different after reading. Like I better understand how the flaws we feel in ourselves don’t need to be focused on. That secrets are worth sharing. To let someone in and know your truth. That people will surprise you. And that we can learn and get over that mistakes that we’ve made
I know that this book with stay with me for some time.
Favorite lines:
Page 27: “But sometimes once is all it takes, one misstep, one fall, and your life can change forever.”
Page160: “People are like pencils; they shade us in. Sometimes they smudge us. Other times they define us.”
Page 275: “We attach so many extraneous things to people when that’s all they really are: people.”
Page 283: “I’ve always hated goodbyes, the lump that forms in your throat, the shame of unwanted tears, the way your own body betrays you, revealing the messiness inside.”
powerslide's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
poccie's review
5.0
Dammit, I knew this was going to be an emotional rollercoaster when I read the sentence:
the word “memories” is like the sharp nick of a blade, breaking skin.
the word “memories” is like the sharp nick of a blade, breaking skin.
carissachristenson's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25