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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a uniquely told story - an unusual yet captivating structure that made me want to find interviews with the author to hear her talk about it. The book had a vibrancy to it that the structure enhanced. Each character and the interwoven nature of their stories had me reaching for the book whenever I had a moment to read. I loved that I would get to know one character, then in the next story they would be on the periphery of another character's story. They were all interesting and deep despite just being snippets. I don't know how she did it! The only part that didn't hit quite as strongly for me was the ending, which imagines a future NYC. I couldn't quite figure out what it was saying... maybe it was hard b/c at the time the novel was published (2010) it was the near future and now that it was here it seemed at times spot on and at times laughably quaint (like a Mork and Mindy futuristic imagining). Overall, I really enjoyed this and am glad I finally pulled it off my shelf. And I will never hear the pause in a song the same way again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Suicide attempt
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I hated this book most of the way through...just when I figured things out and a story line would get interesting, it would be over and a new chapter would introduce a seemingly irrelevant cast,story and setting. Way too random-yes, eventually the theme and characters meld, but I HATED the way it was written!!
Ugh, This book. This was my second attempt at tackling this title. I initially gave up because I just couldn't take any more. I regret to say, I went back and gave it a second chance...mainly because it has received such praise, it must be good, right? It wasn't any better on the second attempt.
“Redemption, transformation—God how she wanted these things. Every day, every minute. Didn’t everyone?”
“One key ingredient of so-called experience is the delusional faith that it is unique and special, that those included in it are privileged and those excluded from it are missing out.”
“The pause makes you think the song will end. And then the song isn’t really over, so you’re relieved. But then the song does actually end, because every song ends, obviously, and THAT. TIME. THE. END. IS. FOR. REAL.”
“One key ingredient of so-called experience is the delusional faith that it is unique and special, that those included in it are privileged and those excluded from it are missing out.”
“The pause makes you think the song will end. And then the song isn’t really over, so you’re relieved. But then the song does actually end, because every song ends, obviously, and THAT. TIME. THE. END. IS. FOR. REAL.”
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know how I missed this all those eons ago, but wow, what an oversight. I am happy to have read it now. I am not usually one for multiple timelines and characters--and indeed, I had to look online for a character map--but just wow. So much to think about and the creativity of the presentation!
This book was a lot of fun to read. I loved all of the different stories that were tied together in strange little ways. I picked this book in July because it was one of Goodreads' picks and I'm really glad I came back and actually read it!