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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
The synopsis for this book is riveting; however, the book was anything but. A boring, boring read with shifting perspectives and no quotation marks in sight. This book reminds me of "Normal People" by Sally Rooney, so, so boring; and if the book wasn't as short as it was, I would have not finished it. It was a drag. None of the characters had weight or had me feeling anything for them. I just didn't care.
The bombing mentioned in the synopsis for the book? Not even mentioned until page 170.
Someone needs to take the synopsis for this book and try again.
The bombing mentioned in the synopsis for the book? Not even mentioned until page 170.
Someone needs to take the synopsis for this book and try again.
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the book but the writing was hard to follow at times. Although I was swept away by the story I felt the book contained a lot of forced prose and in an attempt to be poetic took away from the impact of the narrative for me. The story is mostly told from Will's perspective, but I was confused at times when the perspective seemed to change and then change back again all within the same sentence. I felt the book could have been longer and would have liked to see a bit more from Phoebe's perspective - or maybe even Julians.
Also - did anyone else leave the book wondering if when Will had forced himself on Phoebe he had impregnated her? Maybe she had an abortion and this fed her fervency to take violent action - or maybe the possibility of this happening was what had fueled this.
Also - did anyone else leave the book wondering if when Will had forced himself on Phoebe he had impregnated her? Maybe she had an abortion and this fed her fervency to take violent action - or maybe the possibility of this happening was what had fueled this.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt
slow-paced
with the low rating this has i was a little hesitant, but honestly i loved it, it was well written, the characters were so real and so flawed and that was the point. the way losing faith is written is just so deeply personal and moving.
The writing in this book was beautiful but the plot seemed to drag and didn’t pull me in like I had hoped.
I listened to the audio and I found it hard to remember whose POV each chapter was in because the voice/way each character was written sounded similar. So it made it a little hard to be immersed.
The last few chapters were what I wish the rest of the book was- that was the only part where I really felt there was a nuanced and interesting discussion
The last few chapters were what I wish the rest of the book was- that was the only part where I really felt there was a nuanced and interesting discussion
listen, i'm hesitant on giving this a three. the redeeming qualities of the book is that it was pretty easy to read and the plot as a whole was good. what really didn't help was the style of narration/storytelling throughout the book (which was explained with four pages left...), that made it difficult to tell what each person was talking about or whether the event was happening in the present or had already passed.
like i said, the story as a whole was pretty solid. it just felt like there could have been tweaks made throughout.
like i said, the story as a whole was pretty solid. it just felt like there could have been tweaks made throughout.
While the book describes watching someone fall into a cult brilliantly, there wasn't enough there. Chapters were told from different perspectives, but only Will's was thorough and frankly, interesting. The last few chapters felt really rushed. There was such a buildup for 2/3rds of the book and then it was strangely done. I felt like there could have been more.