Reviews with content warning for Death - How to Stop Time

Reviews tagging 'Death'

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

37 reviews

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

This is such a clever twist in the time travel genre, but the title is totally inaccurate. The main character never once attempts to figure out how his aging has been stopped, nor do any of the other character. His only focus is in finding others who have his anti-aging condition.

However, I enjoyed the reflective wisdom of the main character and the history we get to experience along with him. It was fun to see notable historical figures pop into and out of his life, but I especially liked that the people who had the biggest impact on him were just regular people: his family, his friends, his coworkers, etc. The main thread that binds together, all the many arcs of Tom's story is love, and it was lovely to see him come to that conclusion.

My other quibble with the novel is that the story kind of just ends, and the miniature epilogue was a bit too cheesy/cliché for my taste.

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mpbookreviews's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-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? Yes

3.0

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janacc's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Simplement brutal, m'ha encantat.

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kay_w's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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bookstorian's review against another edition

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5.0

Over 400 years old and wanting a normal life Tom makes the move back to modern London to teach history at a local school. He also hopes to be reunited with Marion and avoid breaking The Albatross Society's number one rule: don't fall in love. Unfortunately for him he meets Camille, the French teacher and Tom's past threatens to unravel, destroying his future. Exploring themes of time, love and parenthood 'How to Stop Time' stopped me in my tracks - It was simply un-put-down-able.

True to form Matt Haig once again had me enthralled from cover to cover. I wanted to devour but also relish every page as I learnt about Tom and his many lives. Whilst I usually struggle to by in to fantasy as my logical/realist brain finds it difficult to switch off - there is just something magical about Haig's writing that allows me to get swept up in the story. Notable elements of this book include the duel timeline (I was often thrust between past a present), Tom (a very humble and at times naive character), the unique premise and fast paced plot as well as the incredibly philosophical lines about time, love and purpose with some reflective points on history and teaching too. My copy is filled with colourful highlight - I just couldn't get enough of this well told story, it deserves five stars and more really...

If you love Historical Fiction and thoroughly enjoyed The Midnight Library or The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue this book is for you.

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leonormsousa's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

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sevensableyes's review against another edition

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reflective medium-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

This book was nicely written, and very easy to read (finished in 2 days). I didn't feel bored, but I also didn't really feel for the characters. I didn't feel like there were any stakes, and the ending seemed to come out of no where. The ending was also a little too neat for my tastes. It felt kind of preachy too; the sudden switch to hopefulness and 'living in the moment'.

I did like the timeline, and the look into Tom's past and adventures.

I was a bit disappointed in Marion's reveal, and how little importance she seemed ot have at the end. Like Tom's purpose for four hundred years was finding her... and then she leaves? And he starts another family? I thought that was strange. I would have much preferred if Tom said his goodbye's to Camille and reconnected with albas to build a real community with people who are going to live forever.

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