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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I so wanted to give this book five shiny stars. The premise of this book was really interesting but I think I expected more than I got. I loved the fact that each chapter was written in each character's point of view. I especially liked Marlene's story of them all. What I don't get is why the characters of Vlado and Jasmine was not included as a chapters. But in the end it was painfully slow and I kept wanting chapters with all the characters and didn't get it. So it felt like something was missing. Not a book for me
The Night of Many Endings by Melissa Payne is a literary fiction about the lives of five people from different walks of life all stuck in a library during a blizzard.
The character development is done well throughout the book as you gradually learn more and more about each person. You also get to watch as the characters begin to bond and feel something for each other in their own ways. The atmosphere and “feel” of the story are enveloping, especially as the storm deepens.
While the characters were well-developed, I still had trouble connecting to them. I was interested in what happened to them as a whole but was not invested in any one character. It also wrapped up a little too neatly for all that took place.
Where this book personally lost me is more in the subject matter as I am not the biggest fan of contemporary or literary fiction. I do like to branch out and broaden my horizons by reading outside of my comfort zone, so just because this wasn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean you won’t thoroughly enjoy it. I do appreciate how well-written The Night of Many Endings is and it hits you in the heartstrings for sure. If you like real-life storylines and realistic plots, human connection, and heartwarming moments you would probably love this book.
There are multiple trigger warnings in this book, including drug use/addiction, chronic illness, homelessness, & death of a loved one.
3.5 stars
I have a YouTube channel, 'BookandBuJo'. Check it out - BookAndBuJo - YouTube
The character development is done well throughout the book as you gradually learn more and more about each person. You also get to watch as the characters begin to bond and feel something for each other in their own ways. The atmosphere and “feel” of the story are enveloping, especially as the storm deepens.
While the characters were well-developed, I still had trouble connecting to them. I was interested in what happened to them as a whole but was not invested in any one character. It also wrapped up a little too neatly for all that took place.
Where this book personally lost me is more in the subject matter as I am not the biggest fan of contemporary or literary fiction. I do like to branch out and broaden my horizons by reading outside of my comfort zone, so just because this wasn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean you won’t thoroughly enjoy it. I do appreciate how well-written The Night of Many Endings is and it hits you in the heartstrings for sure. If you like real-life storylines and realistic plots, human connection, and heartwarming moments you would probably love this book.
There are multiple trigger warnings in this book, including drug use/addiction, chronic illness, homelessness, & death of a loved one.
3.5 stars
I have a YouTube channel, 'BookandBuJo'. Check it out - BookAndBuJo - YouTube
I cannot stop talking about this book. I recommend it to all my friends. The complexity of the characters. The growth they experience was so raw and real. The book brought back my hope in the universe. And truly made me think about what I would do in the situation of the characters. Highly recommend!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to enjoy this read. For a 299-page book, I thought I would breeze through it quickly, but it ended up taking weeks for me to finish mainly because I found the main protagonist, Nora, to be annoying.
In her late twenties, Nora is a librarian and has forsaken living an actual life, family relationships, and friendships to devote herself to charity. Nora devotes her life to charity and giving back to her community because she is guilty about telling her older brother, Mario, to "leave" when she was nine because of his drug addiction. However, she continued a relationship with Mario well into her early twenties, trying to help him get clean until he relapsed and left Nora without a word. Nora believes helping her brother is her life's purpose.
There are other characters involved, such as:
* Marlene, a hard-headed woman and recent widow
* Jasmine, a teenage girl who struggles with the loss of her mom
* Lewis, a homeless drug addict who has lost everything in his life
* Vlado, the library's security guard who is in love with Nora
All characters get stuck in Nora's library due to a major snowstorm where they all learn about each other and their secrets.
I wish I could've sympathized more with Nora because of her brother, but the author made that difficult. The book's first half is about Nora and how much she has devoted her life to Mario and how she needs to help Mario. It's all about Mario and Nora's undying and obsessive commitment to him. It was EXTREMELY redundant. I felt like I was reading the same thing, just phrased differently, over and over again to the point where I just started disliking Nora and had to skim most pages because it was repetitive.
The book has potential, and I loved the story's concept; I just wish the author didn't go overboard with Nora's storyline.
In her late twenties, Nora is a librarian and has forsaken living an actual life, family relationships, and friendships to devote herself to charity. Nora devotes her life to charity and giving back to her community because she is guilty about telling her older brother, Mario, to "leave" when she was nine because of his drug addiction. However, she continued a relationship with Mario well into her early twenties, trying to help him get clean until he relapsed and left Nora without a word. Nora believes helping her brother is her life's purpose.
There are other characters involved, such as:
* Marlene, a hard-headed woman and recent widow
* Jasmine, a teenage girl who struggles with the loss of her mom
* Lewis, a homeless drug addict who has lost everything in his life
* Vlado, the library's security guard who is in love with Nora
All characters get stuck in Nora's library due to a major snowstorm where they all learn about each other and their secrets.
I wish I could've sympathized more with Nora because of her brother, but the author made that difficult. The book's first half is about Nora and how much she has devoted her life to Mario and how she needs to help Mario. It's all about Mario and Nora's undying and obsessive commitment to him. It was EXTREMELY redundant. I felt like I was reading the same thing, just phrased differently, over and over again to the point where I just started disliking Nora and had to skim most pages because it was repetitive.
The book has potential, and I loved the story's concept; I just wish the author didn't go overboard with Nora's storyline.
Not My Kind of Book
I liked the idea of this book, but not the way Payne actually put the book together. She makes assumptions about how people should (in her opinion) react and behave in certain situations. People who don't react that way are looked down upon and deemed inferior. The protagonist, Nora, is irritating.
I liked the idea of this book, but not the way Payne actually put the book together. She makes assumptions about how people should (in her opinion) react and behave in certain situations. People who don't react that way are looked down upon and deemed inferior. The protagonist, Nora, is irritating.
As heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. I really could not put this down and am sad it's ended. I just want to keep reading about these characters and see how their futures unfold.
I'd give this six stairs if I could. This will rip your heart out, but also renew your faith in people. Absolutely stunning book. I can feel parts of this book etched into my bones. Unbelievably good.
I'd give this six stairs if I could. This will rip your heart out, but also renew your faith in people. Absolutely stunning book. I can feel parts of this book etched into my bones. Unbelievably good.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A deeply moving story focused on the events of one night that forces a group of strangers to see each other. A story about learning to listen without judgment because you never know what someone is trying to survive.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated