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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
The premise is that our protagonist goes to sleep on her 40th birthday and wakes up on in her 16 year-old body. Thoughtful and interesting.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
The audiobook was a very quick, easy listen.
However, I had trouble (as a 41-year-old) thinking that if I went back in time to my sixteen-year-old self, I would think other sixteen-year-olds were sexually attractive. Because I wouldn’t. It’s weird and hard to get past and the explanation for why this was OK came way too late in the story (Alice says time traveling back to her teenage self basically changes her brain to be sixteen-ish again too, thus allowing her to find her peers attractive).
That relatively minor plot point aside, I thought this was an interesting take on a time travel. Much of the book takes place after Alice has time traveled to her hypothetically desired destination, instead of it ending with her traveling back (or returning forward). It’s also strange to read a book like this where the protagonist doesn't know what she wants from her new reality (aside from a healthy father).
I didn’t expect to cry listening to this and I did. The relationship between Alice and her father was truly special.
However, I had trouble (as a 41-year-old) thinking that if I went back in time to my sixteen-year-old self, I would think other sixteen-year-olds were sexually attractive. Because I wouldn’t. It’s weird and hard to get past and the explanation for why this was OK came way too late in the story (Alice says time traveling back to her teenage self basically changes her brain to be sixteen-ish again too, thus allowing her to find her peers attractive).
That relatively minor plot point aside, I thought this was an interesting take on a time travel. Much of the book takes place after Alice has time traveled to her hypothetically desired destination, instead of it ending with her traveling back (or returning forward). It’s also strange to read a book like this where the protagonist doesn't know what she wants from her new reality (aside from a healthy father).
I didn’t expect to cry listening to this and I did. The relationship between Alice and her father was truly special.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book really makes you think about life & the people you surround yourself with/ the choices you make. Crazy to think that things could be different than how they are now. Definitely a cute book!
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars. I was pleasantly surpised by this one. I typically don't like the "time travel" back into your own life to relive a certain day trope in books, but I actually really enjoyed this one. This book is a love letter to one-self and to the character's dad. It was really beautifully written and explores themes of regret, grief, and the "what-ifs" that may reside in the back of one's head.
Rounded this up to 4 but would honestly be a 3.5.
Approaching 40, Alice is meandering along the periphery of an existential crisis when she happens upon a unique trick: the ability to travel backward in time to her 16th birthday. What a pity it takes 50% of the book to get there.
In fact, Alice soon finds out that she can keep going back to her younger self, experimenting with different actions that come with very different consequences. The main thread holding the story together is the precious relationship between Alice and her father Leonard (an author of a famous book about time travel). As her father faces his death in one reality, Alice goes back and forth in an attempt to win just a few more years with her father. Their relationship is genuine, earnest and relatable.
My main criticisms is that the book is too slow paced; I almost gave up halfway. The action only starts post-50%. Something few other reviewers picked up on is the insular American nature of the book; so many references to certain New York City things and American pop culture references were slightly irritating. I wish authors wrote with a global audience in mind.
All in all, a slow but light read. I was surprised that this was a Goodreads finalist for best fiction
Approaching 40, Alice is meandering along the periphery of an existential crisis when she happens upon a unique trick: the ability to travel backward in time to her 16th birthday. What a pity it takes 50% of the book to get there.
In fact, Alice soon finds out that she can keep going back to her younger self, experimenting with different actions that come with very different consequences. The main thread holding the story together is the precious relationship between Alice and her father Leonard (an author of a famous book about time travel). As her father faces his death in one reality, Alice goes back and forth in an attempt to win just a few more years with her father. Their relationship is genuine, earnest and relatable.
My main criticisms is that the book is too slow paced; I almost gave up halfway. The action only starts post-50%. Something few other reviewers picked up on is the insular American nature of the book; so many references to certain New York City things and American pop culture references were slightly irritating. I wish authors wrote with a global audience in mind.
All in all, a slow but light read. I was surprised that this was a Goodreads finalist for best fiction
slow-paced
I've never really liked the time-travel trope. And, after reading this novel, I guess that I still don't. I half expected that in the end, it's actually the cat that masters the whole "back to the future" trick, because, how long can one cat live?
I didn’t realize how much I took for granted the younger, faster version of my dad until I read this book. I’m so grateful I could call him and tell him I loved him after finishing the book.