Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - How to Stop Time

Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

7 reviews

thebowandthebook's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I enjoyed the book, it was sweet and cute.

minor gay relationship, MC gets depressed and describes suicidal thoughts and getting to the brink. The antagonist chooses death and is left to his fate.

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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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achay91's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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mj0's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

I love Matt Haig. I loved the Midnight Library. Which meant that when I was gifted How To Stop Time, I was eccentric. It seemed like an interesting concept, but I didn't pick it up at the time because, well, i was afraid. After The Midnight Library, I was shook. Haig compiled a beautiful story about mental health, and made me think. Like, truly made me think. Haig is a philosopher, but it is so rare that someone can so artfully put the truths of life into words. How To Stop Time was similar but contemplated a different idea. Loneliness. Sadness. Depression. Manipulation. Vulnerability. And fear. A fear of loving and being loved. But also a fear of being without purpose and fulfilment. This book was a reminder for taking life as it goes. Not being careless, of course, but not getting so caught up about the past or the future for you to forget about the present. To stop you taking a leap of faith. To stop holding your breath. To love freely and entirely.
I can't wait for this brilliant novel to be turned into a movie (apparently starring Benedict Cumberbatch), though unfortunately, it's 2022 and it was first pitched to be a movie in 2017. So will we get a movie adaptation? I don't know. But I really, really hope so.
Though I don't think you can ever express this kind of novel in a movie in a way it does it justice.
I highly recommend, to all types of readers.

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