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gunstreet's review against another edition
2.0
I didn’t hate it, but I never felt motivated to read it because I didn’t connect to the characters.
souljaleonn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
gpettey19's review against another edition
4.0
I was drawn back to this book while reading and learning a lot about Hawai’i in How to Hide an Empire. I think I read it for the first time in college, but it’s all a blur now. There was something special about reading it again, sort of like visiting home or remembering an old version of myself. One line in particular I’ve thought about throughout the years, but I had completely forgotten it was from this book until I came across it again, more than six years later.
It’s not the most incredible writing or story line but I like it. I liked the calmness Hemming’s style and the familiarity of the book. Something I looked forward to picking up every day of the last few days, which was a gift in itself to have something to look forward to among the mundanity of ongoing COVID quarantine/lockdown.
Also, George Clooney was born to play the lead role in the movie version.
It’s not the most incredible writing or story line but I like it. I liked the calmness Hemming’s style and the familiarity of the book. Something I looked forward to picking up every day of the last few days, which was a gift in itself to have something to look forward to among the mundanity of ongoing COVID quarantine/lockdown.
Also, George Clooney was born to play the lead role in the movie version.
nikkiole's review against another edition
4.0
You kind of knew where this book was going the whole time, but it still made for a great story. I would recommend.
bumfuzzled's review against another edition
4.0
Simple, but I loved it.
I'll have to check out the movie.
I'll have to check out the movie.
patriciajoan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
1.0
BOOOOOORING! And crazy. All the characters were crazy and nothing interesting ever happened. Such a pitty, since the movie looks good.
tinabean's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
meredithgk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rick2's review against another edition
5.0
What a perfect book. This is an incredible example of a book that doesn’t try to be anything that it’s not and as a result is fantastic describing it’s a little corner of the world.
Kind of Hawaiian tropical vibes combined with longing and sorrow around losing a family member. It wonderfully describes the mix and mash of emotions around loss that are so much more nuanced than the typical “I’m supposed to feel sad because this person is dying” and instead gives a full look at the flaws and how people deal with loss. It wonderfully explores the changing of roles around losing that family member. How everyone’s exploring uncharted territory and hurting at the same time. It’s beautiful and I’m not sure exactly what I expected but I’m so delighted I read this.
The writing is pretty straightforward. The characters are well described and very unique. All around this was a wonderful book.
Kind of Hawaiian tropical vibes combined with longing and sorrow around losing a family member. It wonderfully describes the mix and mash of emotions around loss that are so much more nuanced than the typical “I’m supposed to feel sad because this person is dying” and instead gives a full look at the flaws and how people deal with loss. It wonderfully explores the changing of roles around losing that family member. How everyone’s exploring uncharted territory and hurting at the same time. It’s beautiful and I’m not sure exactly what I expected but I’m so delighted I read this.
The writing is pretty straightforward. The characters are well described and very unique. All around this was a wonderful book.