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justlynn_andbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gdsunshine's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting idea! Enjoyed reading how the author's mind works!
mainereading's review against another edition
4.0
3.5⭐
This book was a mind fuck! The shit this man went through was crazy. The story was so unique and just mind blowing definitely a good book and it had a happy ending, so that was a plus. For me personally I usually don't get into books like this there just not my cup of tea so although I liked it I don't see myself rereading it again anytime soon.
This book was a mind fuck! The shit this man went through was crazy. The story was so unique and just mind blowing definitely a good book and it had a happy ending, so that was a plus. For me personally I usually don't get into books like this there just not my cup of tea so although I liked it I don't see myself rereading it again anytime soon.
selunadrake's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I am always hesitant to read about male protagonists by male authors, and this one did not disappoint or subvert that expectation. So the mediocrity was fine.
I was able to finish this because it is very fast-paced. So fast-paced, you're not given time to slow down and consider the depth of emotions or the annoying things that feature in this book. I will say, it was not a BAD book. The concept is intriguing enough to carry me through the first half, the technical aspects of the multiverse mechanics are accessible enough to not bog down the narrative. And again, it was thanks to the fast paced nature that I could breeze through the second half with equal parts irritation and boredom.
I would beg anyone to consider, paragraphs are okay writing tools. You do not need to start a new line break with every sentence. Every new thought or detail does not necessitate a new paragraph.
It
Is
Annoying
But maybe,
Maybe...
There was a page number requirement
Trying to be met.
If this book had
Proper paragraphs,
I have no doubt,
The page count would be halved
But I digress. Male protagonist suffers despair and devastating at the hands of, wait for it, his own hubris. This is not new storytelling. It is not even bad storytelling. The bad part of it is when it comes at the expense of vital, ACTUAL self-awareness (not the mild identity crisis) or actually considering significant characters as mere tools for the main characters.
There are two major female characters and both are centric to the plot insofar as their relation to the protagonist. Which, fair, he is the protagonist, but what sense does it make for Amanda, after escaping her world, waste so many opportunities trying to help Jason instead of finding a life for herself? Literally wasted half their resources to help him (which was part of his spiraling Darkest Night arc). I am glad she left when she did. I wish she left earlier. Go do something for yourself instead serving a stupid selfish man. You are more than his therapist.
The wife is an object. In all realities, she serves the same role. She can do art, but she is the object of devotion and desire for Jason. There was a missed opportunity here to flesh out more the significance of potential soul mates across multiverse, but that would require Daniela to be an equal half, to have more agency. She was flat, and she was flat because her was role entirely to love and be loved by the MC. Oh! But she is Artist! And in the realities she wasn't with him, she does more art! Really, give her a personality beyond a singular hobby/passion. But Daniela is Artist in the same way that Amanda is Therapist. Charlie is the same way, honestly. These people he loves so much but can barely describe beyond mediocre labels: Love! Art! Teenager!
Speaking of the women in this book, can we please move beyond describing (reducing) female characters to their barest physical characteristics. A third shift ER nurse is a "bottle blonde" who "wears exhaustion like a millstone around her neck" while the third shift ER doctor she accompanies has a detached, clinical presence, all for the better of analyzing his patient I guess. (This happens more than once).
Also, by the end, Jason is forced into a lot of situations of homelessness, and even then, there is little empathy or understanding for such a circumstance for others as they are just reduced to drug addicts or the insane (which might be a reflection on his own mental state) but Jason is supposed to be smart? Can we please not reduce real issues of people to harmful stereotypes?
Maybe I am splitting hairs. But again, this guy is supposed to be super smart, and yet makes the dumbest decisions that waste time and resources. I guess it makes it all the more fitting that the conflict is primarily a self-inflicted hellhole borne out of his inner ego.
Anyway. The book wasn't bad. It could have been better.
I was able to finish this because it is very fast-paced. So fast-paced, you're not given time to slow down and consider the depth of emotions or the annoying things that feature in this book. I will say, it was not a BAD book. The concept is intriguing enough to carry me through the first half, the technical aspects of the multiverse mechanics are accessible enough to not bog down the narrative. And again, it was thanks to the fast paced nature that I could breeze through the second half with equal parts irritation and boredom.
I would beg anyone to consider, paragraphs are okay writing tools. You do not need to start a new line break with every sentence. Every new thought or detail does not necessitate a new paragraph.
It
Is
Annoying
But maybe,
Maybe...
There was a page number requirement
Trying to be met.
If this book had
Proper paragraphs,
I have no doubt,
The page count would be halved
But I digress. Male protagonist suffers despair and devastating at the hands of, wait for it, his own hubris. This is not new storytelling. It is not even bad storytelling. The bad part of it is when it comes at the expense of vital, ACTUAL self-awareness (not the mild identity crisis) or actually considering significant characters as mere tools for the main characters.
There are two major female characters and both are centric to the plot insofar as their relation to the protagonist. Which, fair, he is the protagonist, but what sense does it make for Amanda, after escaping her world, waste so many opportunities trying to help Jason instead of finding a life for herself? Literally wasted half their resources to help him (which was part of his spiraling Darkest Night arc). I am glad she left when she did. I wish she left earlier. Go do something for yourself instead serving a stupid selfish man. You are more than his therapist.
The wife is an object. In all realities, she serves the same role. She can do art, but she is the object of devotion and desire for Jason. There was a missed opportunity here to flesh out more the significance of potential soul mates across multiverse, but that would require Daniela to be an equal half, to have more agency. She was flat, and she was flat because her was role entirely to love and be loved by the MC. Oh! But she is Artist! And in the realities she wasn't with him, she does more art! Really, give her a personality beyond a singular hobby/passion. But Daniela is Artist in the same way that Amanda is Therapist. Charlie is the same way, honestly. These people he loves so much but can barely describe beyond mediocre labels: Love! Art! Teenager!
Speaking of the women in this book, can we please move beyond describing (reducing) female characters to their barest physical characteristics. A third shift ER nurse is a "bottle blonde" who "wears exhaustion like a millstone around her neck" while the third shift ER doctor she accompanies has a detached, clinical presence, all for the better of analyzing his patient I guess. (This happens more than once).
Also, by the end, Jason is forced into a lot of situations of homelessness, and even then, there is little empathy or understanding for such a circumstance for others as they are just reduced to drug addicts or the insane (which might be a reflection on his own mental state) but Jason is supposed to be smart? Can we please not reduce real issues of people to harmful stereotypes?
Maybe I am splitting hairs. But again, this guy is supposed to be super smart, and yet makes the dumbest decisions that waste time and resources. I guess it makes it all the more fitting that the conflict is primarily a self-inflicted hellhole borne out of his inner ego.
Anyway. The book wasn't bad. It could have been better.
jesslojo's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just wow. I haven’t read anything like this in my life, in the best way possible. I went into this book blind knowing vaguely that this was a sci-fi/thriller type book. What I didn’t know was how this book was going to really get me thinking.
This book dives into the multiverse and how one choice can alter your entire life so it’s safe to say this book isn’t for everybody. But if you’re into fast paced thrillers that keep you guessing and thinking then definitely read this book.
This was my first Blake Crouch novel and definitely not my last!
This book dives into the multiverse and how one choice can alter your entire life so it’s safe to say this book isn’t for everybody. But if you’re into fast paced thrillers that keep you guessing and thinking then definitely read this book.
This was my first Blake Crouch novel and definitely not my last!
nikkikolls's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
allison_s's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
matt_heirnichs's review against another edition
4.0
thought the writing was a little lacking in a few places, but the story line/ideas were certainly not. A good read.
andrearuiz22's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
louise_gg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0