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ang44's review against another edition
- 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
I did read the hard copy version (vs audio) and found the octopus perspective a bit silly at first, but i'm really glad I stuck it out, as it really was a miraculous way to turn a story prompt into a novel. I care about all of these characters and I really wished the best for all of them, and I loved the ending of this as well.
Moderate: Child death and Abandonment
Minor: Terminal illness
sangsmiles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment
megj23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Cursing
Minor: Drug use and Abandonment
m_maria's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Cancer, and Death
alastaire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I loved each of the characters but thought the general message of the book was a bit off. More info on that in spoiler:
Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, Addiction, and Cancer
Minor: Confinement, Suicide attempt, and Animal death
karitoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Suicide and Drug abuse
moond4ncer's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Drug abuse, and Suicide
nikimorr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book follows the viewpoint of 3 main characters - Tova, Cameron, and Marcellus. Tova is an elderly woman who is a bit wound tight. Tova has lost her husband in their later years and lost her son many decades prior in a dark mystery. Cameron can only be described as a complete mess - a man dealt a difficult life with no known father and a mother who abandoned him as a child. He is the kind of character you both want to hug and shake some sense into. And Marcellus, last but definitely not least, is a brilliant octopus in captivity at the local aquarium nearing the end of his life. How do this characters connect? It all becomes apparent very readily to the reader but not to the characters.
There is nothing in this book that comes as a surprise. The foreshadowing is intense, and I figured out the ending early on. This book is about the ride, not the destination. The only reason i did not give this book 5 stars was because of the length of time it took for communication and resolution. It was almost torturous for a period of time - the reader knows the information, and the characters get close constantly to learning the truth, but somehow something happens and the characters elude learning the information that would resolve so many issues.
Many of the themes of this book are very sad, but, in many ways, it speaks to the reality of many people’s lives. And, the lives of animals held in captivity. But, as is eloquently put, it is no one’s fault what cards you are dealt, but you control the way you play.
In very large part, this story speaks to the power of moving on and letting go, even with baggage and even with no answers. I believe just about any reader can relate to this sentiment whether on a large or small scale.
And then, on a side note, the reader is educated on marine life. And it is literally impossible not to come away from this book with curiosity and fascination for the giant pacific octopus.
The end is chef’s kiss.
Such a brilliant book that is worth the read for any reader.
Graphic: Child death, Abandonment, and Addiction
k8lynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Child death, and Death of parent
anonymous_user's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction and Drug use