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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Maybe I'm too attached to The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald to view this book objectively. I mean, great American novel > Even in Paradise. Just look at this wonderful specimen. No, this book does not stack up in the least.
I felt that the beginning was promising. I knew that if this book wanted to emulate The Great Gatsby, there would be a twisted ending to perfectly capture the frailty of life and the carelessness of others.
It was a good attempt but lacked impact. Everything paled in comparison to Gatsby. And I know I'm not being fair. I understand that the technique of these two authors are not on par. That it was a different time in America as it found its wealth in war. To put it in perspective, a book written to simply entertain is good, but it could have been so much more. There was so much to talk about other than the trope of "rich people have feelings too". I mean that was the point of The Great Gatsby, that we're trapped by our own paradigms that we can't fathom any other way to break the mold.
Yet, there are some brave enough to do so. In its own merits, we also question if this is what the American dream should be. Not just being rich, but devoid of humanity. What I got instead was a lackluster imitation with decorations of second-rate flowery language. Of too many characters juggled at once that I never felt as if they got any justice. Just a quick and dirty archetype of what we plebeians think the rich behave as to our liking. This has been done before and has been done better. (Can someone say The Outsiders)?
On another note, what the hell was Julia's sexuality about? What a cop out. This is an example of using homosexual characters as mere tokens to make the story edgy. Of course, Charlotte had to clarify to the readers that she was absolutely not gay, but kissing girls is nice (just not nice enough to engage in a relationship). I think pursuing such a route in the story would have been the spark needed for this retelling(?). This "forbidden" love made impossible by social economical predetermined factors.
This novel failed to stand beside The Great Gatsby but that was a given. I just wanted to be proven wrong perhaps. As its own story, it was predictable and shallow in a way does not prompt further thought. It was a chug and plug where the formula was recycled, but the names replaced and whatnot. What couldn't sustain the story is intelligent dialogue, well placed plot events, and just beautiful writing that makes your heart ache.
emotional
funny
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
if you like “the last great american dynasty” or “champagne problems” by taylor swift, you’ll like this book.
Books with predictable plots such as this one are usually saved by great characterizations or gripping prose. Sadly Even in paradise treats us with infantile characters and monotonous narration instead.
4.5
I want to meet the Buchanans so bad and even though the end made me cry, *I'm not sorry for reading this book. I would read it again.*
I want to meet the Buchanans so bad and even though the end made me cry, *I'm not sorry for reading this book. I would read it again.*
I was really excited to start this book, I love the cover and I was even intrigued by the summary. But the book fell short for me, and I struggled read it. Charlotte is instantly drawn to the Buchanans they have a certain magical quality about them. I liked Julia Buchanan because she wasn't the typical snobby rich girl. She not only was a lesbian, and struggled with the death of her sister but also an outcast. On the other hand, I didn't like Charlotte's character, she had no personality and conformed to Julia the moment they met. I expected Sebastian and Charlie's relationship to arise, but when it happened it wasn't the level of romance I wanted. Also the usage of French frustrated me because I don't like being in the unknown. All in all the book was decent, it had some enjoyable moments and an okay ending.
I was excited to be a part of the blog tour for this book and when fellow Ottawa blogger, Kathy lent me this book I was really happy to read it. It's got a very summer time feel to it with a story about best friends. I really liked watching the relationship between Julia and Charlotte grow and enfold. They start off as stranger and quickly become entangled in each other's lives. Well, I would say that Charlotte becomes more enfolded in Julia's life than the other way around. It seems very easy for Charlotte to become integrated into the Buchanan family. She wants to throw herself into the relationship and the family welcomes her in with open arms. I would say that this is not just a story about BFFs and more of a story about one girl falling in love with an entire family.
I have to admit that I can very much relate to this. High school Meaghan got very involved with her BFF's family. I was at her house every weekend without fail and was even invited to her father's second wedding. Unfortunately over the years, we have lost touch but sometimes I don't just miss her but miss her family. I wonder where they are and what they're up to. Facebook helps the creeper in me keep me connected. I think that when you are close with someone you become close with the people they are close to. I think this is something that YA is missing sometimes and I was really impressed with the story that Philpot was able to weave together. It wasn't just a story about best friends but a story about all kinds of relationships.
I also really liked reading about the familial connections in the book. The whole Buchanan family had a place in the story. The parents were what you would imagine a senator and a wife to be like but they also surprised me sometimes. Their tenderness towards their children was sweet but their overprotectiveness was also frustrating at times. I just wanted to let them know that they weren't doing any one any favours by hovering around the periphery all the time. The siblings were well-rounded and I can see why Charlotte was fond of each of them.
I enjoyed the story line with a bit of mystery involved. I kind of figured it out but I was never 100% sure if that's what was going on. I think that you are supposed to have it sort of figured out because it helps to understand the character development in the book.
If I'm honest I think that some people may not respond well to the ending of this book. I personally thought it was well done and well written. I know that many people don't enjoy the epilogue and the ending has this feeling about it. Sometimes I think the epilogue wraps up some questions you may be having and leaves you feeling more settled about the finale.
Overall I quite liked this book. Philpot writes her characters well and to me that to be able to do this isn't always the easiest thing. If you have great characters they will drive the plot. I would definitely suggest reading this book- perhaps on a beach.
I have to admit that I can very much relate to this. High school Meaghan got very involved with her BFF's family. I was at her house every weekend without fail and was even invited to her father's second wedding. Unfortunately over the years, we have lost touch but sometimes I don't just miss her but miss her family. I wonder where they are and what they're up to. Facebook helps the creeper in me keep me connected. I think that when you are close with someone you become close with the people they are close to. I think this is something that YA is missing sometimes and I was really impressed with the story that Philpot was able to weave together. It wasn't just a story about best friends but a story about all kinds of relationships.
I also really liked reading about the familial connections in the book. The whole Buchanan family had a place in the story. The parents were what you would imagine a senator and a wife to be like but they also surprised me sometimes. Their tenderness towards their children was sweet but their overprotectiveness was also frustrating at times. I just wanted to let them know that they weren't doing any one any favours by hovering around the periphery all the time. The siblings were well-rounded and I can see why Charlotte was fond of each of them.
I enjoyed the story line with a bit of mystery involved. I kind of figured it out but I was never 100% sure if that's what was going on. I think that you are supposed to have it sort of figured out because it helps to understand the character development in the book.
If I'm honest I think that some people may not respond well to the ending of this book. I personally thought it was well done and well written. I know that many people don't enjoy the epilogue and the ending has this feeling about it. Sometimes I think the epilogue wraps up some questions you may be having and leaves you feeling more settled about the finale.
Overall I quite liked this book. Philpot writes her characters well and to me that to be able to do this isn't always the easiest thing. If you have great characters they will drive the plot. I would definitely suggest reading this book- perhaps on a beach.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would compare it most to the book we were liars because the book is mostly about a girl who becomes best friends with a girl who is rich and seems to have it all figured out. the whole book goes through the drama and secrets that she finds out about her friends family (which is kinda sad). A little bit of romance in there but overall just a drama, follow-her-life kind of book. For ratings it gets a 15/20 for beginning (nothing special), 18/20 for plot, 10/20 for ending because I very much disliked the ending, 18/20 for flow, 20/20 for characters (because I found myself very invested in them) for a total of 81/100! I liked the book, but there wasn’t really anything really special or amazing about it. Anticlimactic, I know, but if you’re in like a reading slump or just have no idea what to read then I’d recommend this :)
Complete review available: Even in Paradise
My first book of 2019, and that ending blew me away. Before that, I was very much thinking 4 stars, maybe 3 if I was being harsh, as the two main plots seemed to tangle over one another in an attempt to both be the main plot, whilst neither succeeding, and so in that sense it felt like a little of a mess. Philpot's wizardry with words, however, sent powerful feels to the reader's very heart and soul in the conclusive thoughts on so may tough themes that my resounding thoughts for this book are just awe at the wordsmithery and a light sadness at the storyline (for its actual plot, not because it was so poorly written!)
My first book of 2019, and that ending blew me away. Before that, I was very much thinking 4 stars, maybe 3 if I was being harsh, as the two main plots seemed to tangle over one another in an attempt to both be the main plot, whilst neither succeeding, and so in that sense it felt like a little of a mess. Philpot's wizardry with words, however, sent powerful feels to the reader's very heart and soul in the conclusive thoughts on so may tough themes that my resounding thoughts for this book are just awe at the wordsmithery and a light sadness at the storyline (for its actual plot, not because it was so poorly written!)
This made me wish I could find a best friend with a fun family (minus the tragedies) and fall in love with her brother
This book was something. It makes you laugh, cry, smile, and think. Life’s kind of crazy and sometimes we just go off into our own paradises. I don’t know why, but I always love “bestfriends brother” trope. So, I was excited to read about this...my expectations were met. I’m giving this 4 stars because I loved it a lot and it was such a great book, but I believed it could have been written better into a great book.
Like why did Sebastian even have a girlfriend at all and than just didn’t?? But anyways how Charlie and Julia became friends was cute, but the rate of their friendship was kind of “odd”. Like I understand you can become close with someone really fast, but it was more than that...I guess.
Let’s talk about the ending...
One, there’s a mystery what actually happened to Gus in the car accident and was she really so perfect? This is answered at the end of the book. No, she wasn’t perfect.
——
I gotta say, loved Julia but girl can’t just go off and avoid her problems. She, was really like “bye, felisha”...to Charlie and I know we all go through things but friendship is through thick and thin.
——
I get why Charlie left and she wasn’t upset that Sebastian didn’t tell her because even through he wanted too that wasn’t secret really. But I kind of mad that in the ending there wasn’t more for them. Like excuse me they should go off and live happily ever after. But I love that they were still supportive of each other.
Like why did Sebastian even have a girlfriend at all and than just didn’t?? But anyways how Charlie and Julia became friends was cute, but the rate of their friendship was kind of “odd”. Like I understand you can become close with someone really fast, but it was more than that...I guess.
Let’s talk about the ending...
One, there’s a mystery what actually happened to Gus in the car accident and was she really so perfect? This is answered at the end of the book. No, she wasn’t perfect.
——
I gotta say, loved Julia but girl can’t just go off and avoid her problems. She, was really like “bye, felisha”...to Charlie and I know we all go through things but friendship is through thick and thin.
——
I get why Charlie left and she wasn’t upset that Sebastian didn’t tell her because even through he wanted too that wasn’t secret really. But I kind of mad that in the ending there wasn’t more for them. Like excuse me they should go off and live happily ever after. But I love that they were still supportive of each other.