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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Thank you, Netgally for the ARC and Suzy for writing such a sweet, heartfelt novel. Another review calls this story a nesting doll and that image completely sums up the book for me: with the cat and the necklace and the Deja vu and the murals. At first I was greatly confused by the cat but then it clicked at the end. Such an interesting take on time travel without it being about time travel and a way to make something science-based not too science fictiony.
Thank you, Netgally for the ARC and Suzy for writing such a sweet, heartfelt novel. Another review calls this story a nesting doll and that image completely sums up the book for me: with the cat and the necklace and the Deja vu and the murals. At first I was greatly confused by the cat but then it clicked at the end. Such an interesting take on time travel without it being about time travel and a way to make something science-based not too science fictiony.
It’s interesting how you can read a book and have so many thoughts, and then want to share your ideas with the book world, and find yourself with nothing to say. I believe the word is “ineffable” - at the risk of sounding like my teenage self when I got to do an interview on Etalk Daily (only my older Canadians will know this show) and kept saying “amazing, amazing, just amazing” over and over like an idiot….this book is amazing. Also, for even more niche Canadiana, I was interviewing an actress from Corner Gas, which, funnily enough is what came to mind when I pictured the grandfather in the story going to his tiny local gas-station-come-coffee shop to meet with its owner and find his small, reliable, corner of peace in a world that was crumbling in around him.
I’ve seen some of the author's social media around this novel which I find hilarious, being that the premise itself is quite a unique one. Hey guys, Christmas is coming! Let’s celebrate! Joy to the world! Oh, but there is a giant celestial catastrophe headed our way that will destroy all of civilization. No big deal though, right?
The book largely centers on the members of one small family in rural Canada (Saskatchewan, I think?) who are navigating through the news first that Marlen (father) is terminally ill. Coupled with that, with the act of deciding whether to tiptoe around the impending loss of someone you care for or bravely facing it head on, comes the news that a cosmic disaster is essentially headed to destroy the planet and there’s nothing you can do.
The book then begins to explore how and what each member of the family thinks, does, and feels over the course of time until the planet is supposedly headed for its final reckoning. Marlin and Hilda’s daughter is in Berlin and needs to try and come home, but soon meets a boy who will change the scope of her final days. Marlen ponders about the book he wrote, the book with a plot eerily similar to current events. Marlen’s sister is in denial, and her family struggles with how to make sense of the end and the loss of what they hold dear.
I wish I could say this book was a warm hug, but usually an apocalyptic novel is not for cozy feelings. Rather, this was a book that I found myself dog-earing pages (I know) to later read pieces of to my boyfriend, sharing quotes on social media so I wouldn’t forget them, sitting and staring into space after a few chapters full of thoughts but no speech.
If you’re going to annotate or underline a book, I think it would be this one. I’m going to have to re-read it again with a keener eye to get a better sense of just how impactful this book was. It is definitely in my top 5 for the year, and I now have to get her other books. It made me consider what I would do or how I would feel, how I’d like to spend my last days if I knew the end was coming. It makes you reflect on your own existence and what matters to you, all with such quality of writing that you have to keep reading to keep seeing inside the complex characters she created.
Highly recommend.
I’ve seen some of the author's social media around this novel which I find hilarious, being that the premise itself is quite a unique one. Hey guys, Christmas is coming! Let’s celebrate! Joy to the world! Oh, but there is a giant celestial catastrophe headed our way that will destroy all of civilization. No big deal though, right?
The book largely centers on the members of one small family in rural Canada (Saskatchewan, I think?) who are navigating through the news first that Marlen (father) is terminally ill. Coupled with that, with the act of deciding whether to tiptoe around the impending loss of someone you care for or bravely facing it head on, comes the news that a cosmic disaster is essentially headed to destroy the planet and there’s nothing you can do.
The book then begins to explore how and what each member of the family thinks, does, and feels over the course of time until the planet is supposedly headed for its final reckoning. Marlin and Hilda’s daughter is in Berlin and needs to try and come home, but soon meets a boy who will change the scope of her final days. Marlen ponders about the book he wrote, the book with a plot eerily similar to current events. Marlen’s sister is in denial, and her family struggles with how to make sense of the end and the loss of what they hold dear.
I wish I could say this book was a warm hug, but usually an apocalyptic novel is not for cozy feelings. Rather, this was a book that I found myself dog-earing pages (I know) to later read pieces of to my boyfriend, sharing quotes on social media so I wouldn’t forget them, sitting and staring into space after a few chapters full of thoughts but no speech.
If you’re going to annotate or underline a book, I think it would be this one. I’m going to have to re-read it again with a keener eye to get a better sense of just how impactful this book was. It is definitely in my top 5 for the year, and I now have to get her other books. It made me consider what I would do or how I would feel, how I’d like to spend my last days if I knew the end was coming. It makes you reflect on your own existence and what matters to you, all with such quality of writing that you have to keep reading to keep seeing inside the complex characters she created.
Highly recommend.
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes