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bea_becker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It's so well done and I did not really enjoy reading it until the last 100 pages. I feel like this book is a masterpiece but it's not fun or linear or easy to follow at least at first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: War and Self harm
It deals heavily with 9/11.mikayla_ruth's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.5
After his father dies in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, nine year old Oskar embarks on a many-month quest throughout New York City searching for the lock into which the key left behind by his father fits. While not explicitly stated, it becomes apparent that Oskar’s municipal expedition is really an attempt to process his own inner trauma and grief. Intertwining two stories, Foer also depicts a couple dealing with, or perhaps avoiding, grief, relational complexity, and loss. The two stories come crashing together at the final point of Oskar’s city adventure - his fathers grave.
I started this book anticipating a National Treasureesque story told in the voice of a nine-year old boy. Expecting an exciting, light-hearted, adventure story, I was left unsatisfied.
Instead, through the stories of those who are learning to grieve, are grieving, and have failed to grieve, Foer shows the heavy, sometimes inexplicable emotions that come with pain and loss. As an exploration of the emotional effects of crises on human hearts, I liked it more.
Why I didn’t like it:
- At times, some of the details about Oskar seemed unbelievable. He has a lot of freedom in a lot of city for a nine year old. And he has some thoughts that show more maturity than nine years would give. Maybe I would have trusted his process more if he were eleven or twelve, but this made the story less believable for me.
-The couple’s sub plot is sad, dysfunctional and, at times, frustrating. While it does seem plausible if you followed some poor decisions out to their end, I personally am unsure if it made me want to read the book.
- While not a hard read, it is not fast paced and can be hard to follow.
Things I liked:
- Foer utilizes various voice styles, page layout methods, and artistic tools throughout the novel to capture the story’s emotion.
- The ending resolves the story and does not. It leaves you with emotion more than conclusion. I liked it.
- Fore’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is unique in its voice and purpose. It was not my favorite book to read and I don’t think I would reread it. But after finishing the book and processing its entirety, I appreciate it more.
I started this book anticipating a National Treasureesque story told in the voice of a nine-year old boy. Expecting an exciting, light-hearted, adventure story, I was left unsatisfied.
Instead, through the stories of those who are learning to grieve, are grieving, and have failed to grieve, Foer shows the heavy, sometimes inexplicable emotions that come with pain and loss. As an exploration of the emotional effects of crises on human hearts, I liked it more.
Why I didn’t like it:
- At times, some of the details about Oskar seemed unbelievable. He has a lot of freedom in a lot of city for a nine year old. And he has some thoughts that show more maturity than nine years would give. Maybe I would have trusted his process more if he were eleven or twelve, but this made the story less believable for me.
-The couple’s sub plot is sad, dysfunctional and, at times, frustrating. While it does seem plausible if you followed some poor decisions out to their end, I personally am unsure if it made me want to read the book.
- While not a hard read, it is not fast paced and can be hard to follow.
Things I liked:
- Foer utilizes various voice styles, page layout methods, and artistic tools throughout the novel to capture the story’s emotion.
- The ending resolves the story and does not. It leaves you with emotion more than conclusion. I liked it.
- Fore’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is unique in its voice and purpose. It was not my favorite book to read and I don’t think I would reread it. But after finishing the book and processing its entirety, I appreciate it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Self harm, Mental illness, and Adult/minor relationship
hannah_gingersnap's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Islamophobia, War, and Grief
erinwolf1997's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
slowen719's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Lovely and sad story about loss, grief, and 9/11.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
georgiesutton's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
I finished this book but through gritted teeth. Whilst I cared for the main storyline and was moved at certain parts, I cannot ignore that this book was incredibly hard to read.
Although it was intentionally unclear who the narrators were of the multiple perspectives it was very confusing and I did not care for the characters. I was intrigued but then too little information was given and the perspectives were seemingly unrelated and also formatted in a way that made following the narrative difficult.
The lack of paragraphs was the major detail that ruined this book for me (and even then this was inconsistent). Again, I know it is a style but it was just horrible to read and so I didn’t read large chunks of text because it was just too hard.
I wanted to like this book but it was unpleasant to read so I can not recommend it despite the story itself being nice. Maybe try an audio book version.
Although it was intentionally unclear who the narrators were of the multiple perspectives it was very confusing and I did not care for the characters. I was intrigued but then too little information was given and the perspectives were seemingly unrelated and also formatted in a way that made following the narrative difficult.
The lack of paragraphs was the major detail that ruined this book for me (and even then this was inconsistent). Again, I know it is a style but it was just horrible to read and so I didn’t read large chunks of text because it was just too hard.
I wanted to like this book but it was unpleasant to read so I can not recommend it despite the story itself being nice. Maybe try an audio book version.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide
miles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Medical trauma, and Self harm
skudiklier's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Grief, Self harm, Violence, Animal death, and Bullying
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Rape, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, and Cursing
Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Incest, Islamophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
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