Scan barcode
nickscoby's review
4.0
I really need to create a bookshelf called Books I Avoided But Ended Up Loving, because this book would be on it. I heard about the movie but for some reason was hesitant to read the novel. But one day, on a lark, I decided to skim through a copy and I could not put it down. For starters, it's hilarious. Secondly, I think the author does a good job of capturing a high school experience without romanticism. And then there's Earl. Well, maybe Greg and Earl to be exact. There's something so compelling about their relationship. On the one hand, I really hate that Earl has a heap of black stereotypes piled on him, i.e., angry, single mom, anti-social brothers, etc. And yet, he felt very REAL and not just a stand in for all black youth. You know, I could be completely justifying the characterization but that's ok. There is some very mature language but otherwise, I would highly recommend to high school students.
harleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 Stars
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the first half, I thought it was funny and entertaining, but I did not enjoy the second half, I found it to be boring and drag on. I'm a little unsure of how I feel about the writing style/format. It was just done a bit strange. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters, Greg had no emotion, Rachel just gave up, and Earl was insane. I wasn't a huge fan with how everything ended either. For me this book was just lacking in something, I just don't really know what.
All in all I was a little disappointed with how this turned out, but I am happy that I have finally read it.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the first half, I thought it was funny and entertaining, but I did not enjoy the second half, I found it to be boring and drag on. I'm a little unsure of how I feel about the writing style/format. It was just done a bit strange. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters, Greg had no emotion, Rachel just gave up, and Earl was insane. I wasn't a huge fan with how everything ended either. For me this book was just lacking in something, I just don't really know what.
All in all I was a little disappointed with how this turned out, but I am happy that I have finally read it.
nora2085's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
leafblade's review
4.0
I'm in an English mood. So hi, English speakers. This is me, an Argentinian 16yo somehow managing to communicate in your language.
I liked this book. And I had heard terrible things about it because it seemed to be disrespectful with death. But let's be honest, the freaking synopsis says it will suck. I didn't dive into it with much expectations, and I think that's why I liked it so much.
The main character, Greg, has a blob brain and I think he might have something in his feelings lobe. He really doesn't care for Rachel until the very last moment, and even then he cries because he's an asshole, not because she's dying. And I can't blame him, because that has happened to me too. But he did, indeed, piss me off a lot. Like when he tried to make Rachel feel better and went WAY TOO FAR with jokes. Or when he couldn't accept a freaking compliment and would go on with the "no listen I'm stupid" thing for pages and pages and pages. Dear, say thank you and shut the fuck up. Please.
I'm not sure if I liked Earl. Like, yes, he was the only one who seemed to have a functioning brain and actually cared for Rachel, but just the family he lived with and how they affected him didn't have me turning pages at the speed of light. But he's a good guy.
Rachel was really meh. We see her through Greg's point of view and as he doesn't care for her it makes the reader not care about her at all. I wish we could get to know her better (and I got so fed up with what I'm going to say) but the only thing everyone cared about was that she was dying. And that was an awful point of view. But, again, I can't blame the book because Greg himself says a lot of times he doesn't fucking care for Rachel. HOW CAN PEOPLE MISS THAT BEFORE READING THE BOOK. HE DOESN'T CARE. IT'S WRITTEN IN THE BACK OF THE FREAKING BOOK.
Oh, and what I'm 100% sure I didn't like was the script parts. Man, it's ok that you like to do films. But this is a book. Shut up and write how you're supposed to.
I may recommend this one??? But you have to be very chill about everything and keep in mind that this book is in no point The fault in our stars, If I stay or whatever book with people dying you read before. This is not about a boy moaning around because a girl is dying. If you were able to understand what I just said, then go ahead and read it.
I liked this book. And I had heard terrible things about it because it seemed to be disrespectful with death. But let's be honest, the freaking synopsis says it will suck. I didn't dive into it with much expectations, and I think that's why I liked it so much.
The main character, Greg, has a blob brain and I think he might have something in his feelings lobe. He really doesn't care for Rachel until the very last moment, and even then he cries because he's an asshole, not because she's dying. And I can't blame him, because that has happened to me too. But he did, indeed, piss me off a lot. Like when he tried to make Rachel feel better and went WAY TOO FAR with jokes. Or when he couldn't accept a freaking compliment and would go on with the "no listen I'm stupid" thing for pages and pages and pages. Dear, say thank you and shut the fuck up. Please.
I'm not sure if I liked Earl. Like, yes, he was the only one who seemed to have a functioning brain and actually cared for Rachel, but just the family he lived with and how they affected him didn't have me turning pages at the speed of light. But he's a good guy.
Rachel was really meh. We see her through Greg's point of view and as he doesn't care for her it makes the reader not care about her at all. I wish we could get to know her better (and I got so fed up with what I'm going to say) but the only thing everyone cared about was that she was dying. And that was an awful point of view. But, again, I can't blame the book because Greg himself says a lot of times he doesn't fucking care for Rachel. HOW CAN PEOPLE MISS THAT BEFORE READING THE BOOK. HE DOESN'T CARE. IT'S WRITTEN IN THE BACK OF THE FREAKING BOOK.
Oh, and what I'm 100% sure I didn't like was the script parts. Man, it's ok that you like to do films. But this is a book. Shut up and write how you're supposed to.
I may recommend this one??? But you have to be very chill about everything and keep in mind that this book is in no point The fault in our stars, If I stay or whatever book with people dying you read before. This is not about a boy moaning around because a girl is dying. If you were able to understand what I just said, then go ahead and read it.
ninnguyen's review
3.0
book 70 from 1000
ok. first of all, it was definitely much more realistic than "TFIOS" when it comes to people with cancer, and also teenagers. (and I liked how nobody fell in love with anybody and even when there was feelings, it was a "boner". (no. you dont fall in love looking at someone.) that's what I'm talking about when I say much more realistic. (personally I loked "TFIOS" when I read it 4 years ago but I read some critical reviews about it recently and I found em logical.)
There was no miracle happening, it felt just so realistic and a lot of stuff went wrong just like in real life. the characters weren't philosophers and cancer didn't make anyone any smarter.
Greg (the protagonist) was well-written; I mean he kinda sucked but he was relatable sometimes and it wasn't hard to understand his feelings/decisions.
to be honest, I expected the book to be funnier from what I read in people's reviews. it didn't "crack me up" and honestly I don't even remember if I smiled reading it. (and I'm not 30, I'm still 17.) (it was still cool and I liked the style.)
anyways, it was intriguing for me and I finished it pretty fast given that English is my second language and I haven't read a lot in it.
in general, I didn't like it that much to give it 4 stars, but it was still fine so 3 it is.
oh, and it didn't feel like he was 17 for me, he seemed younger and so did the whole story.
«من و ارل و دختر در حال مردن» خیلی واقعبینانهتر از «نحسی ستارگان بخت ما» بود و بیمار سرطانی بیشتر شبیه به بيمار سرطانی و نوجوون بیشتر شبیه به نوجوون بود. هیچکس عاشق کسی نشد، هیچ معجزهای اتفاق نیفتاد و خیلی چیزها درست مثل زندگی واقعی بد پیش رفت. شخصیتها فیلسوف نبودن و سرطان هیچکس رو باهوشتر نکرد.
شخصیت اصلی گاهی خیلی رواعصاب بود ولی درک احساسات و تصمیماتش خیلی سخت نبود و خوب نوشته شده بود.
داستان برای من اونقدرها که شنيده بودم خندهدار نبود ولی در کل سبکش رو دوست داشتم. (یکم خیلی تینیجریه و شاید هرکسی باهاش ارتباط برقرار نکنه.)
به هر حال کشش زیادی برای من داشت و خوندنش نسبتاً خیلی کم طول کشید.
در کل اونقدری دوستش نداشتم که بهش ۴ بدم ولی باز هم تجربه دلچسبی بود پس ٣ براش خوبه.
ok. first of all, it was definitely much more realistic than "TFIOS" when it comes to people with cancer, and also teenagers. (and I liked how nobody fell in love with anybody and even when there was feelings, it was a "boner". (no. you dont fall in love looking at someone.) that's what I'm talking about when I say much more realistic. (personally I loked "TFIOS" when I read it 4 years ago but I read some critical reviews about it recently and I found em logical.)
There was no miracle happening, it felt just so realistic and a lot of stuff went wrong just like in real life. the characters weren't philosophers and cancer didn't make anyone any smarter.
Greg (the protagonist) was well-written; I mean he kinda sucked but he was relatable sometimes and it wasn't hard to understand his feelings/decisions.
to be honest, I expected the book to be funnier from what I read in people's reviews. it didn't "crack me up" and honestly I don't even remember if I smiled reading it. (and I'm not 30, I'm still 17.) (it was still cool and I liked the style.)
anyways, it was intriguing for me and I finished it pretty fast given that English is my second language and I haven't read a lot in it.
in general, I didn't like it that much to give it 4 stars, but it was still fine so 3 it is.
oh, and it didn't feel like he was 17 for me, he seemed younger and so did the whole story.
«من و ارل و دختر در حال مردن» خیلی واقعبینانهتر از «نحسی ستارگان بخت ما» بود و بیمار سرطانی بیشتر شبیه به بيمار سرطانی و نوجوون بیشتر شبیه به نوجوون بود. هیچکس عاشق کسی نشد، هیچ معجزهای اتفاق نیفتاد و خیلی چیزها درست مثل زندگی واقعی بد پیش رفت. شخصیتها فیلسوف نبودن و سرطان هیچکس رو باهوشتر نکرد.
شخصیت اصلی گاهی خیلی رواعصاب بود ولی درک احساسات و تصمیماتش خیلی سخت نبود و خوب نوشته شده بود.
داستان برای من اونقدرها که شنيده بودم خندهدار نبود ولی در کل سبکش رو دوست داشتم. (یکم خیلی تینیجریه و شاید هرکسی باهاش ارتباط برقرار نکنه.)
به هر حال کشش زیادی برای من داشت و خوندنش نسبتاً خیلی کم طول کشید.
در کل اونقدری دوستش نداشتم که بهش ۴ بدم ولی باز هم تجربه دلچسبی بود پس ٣ براش خوبه.
katdfleming's review
5.0
I loved everything about this book. Holy moly. Couldn't put it down. The writing style was so original. I was laughing out loud throughout most of it. Beautiful without being saccharine.
emmad24's review
2.0
Thinking back on this I kind of hated this book... I wanted to like it but I'm not that into these types of books. Sue me
pagesofkim's review
4.0
This book was a solid 4 stars for me. This was a fast read and I did enjoy it, HOWEVER, it was often scattered and slightly hard to follow.
Earl and Greg have an unconventional friendship and a sweet bond in filmmaking. I enjoyed how the author showed the main character's vulnerabilities and emotions. I thought some of the modesty was a bit annoying but that's just how some people are, I know! I liked how the book didn't focus on the terminal illness, but more on the bond between unlikely friends. I would recommend this if you've read a couple intense books lately and want to read something fast.
Earl and Greg have an unconventional friendship and a sweet bond in filmmaking. I enjoyed how the author showed the main character's vulnerabilities and emotions. I thought some of the modesty was a bit annoying but that's just how some people are, I know! I liked how the book didn't focus on the terminal illness, but more on the bond between unlikely friends. I would recommend this if you've read a couple intense books lately and want to read something fast.