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mypoormeatball's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
This is a truly special book. I read it for the first time in 2018 and am re-reading it for the first time. I was curious to see how it hit after the pandemic, especially since I have recommended it for years as one of the most influential and favorite novels I have ever read. It is human and beautiful.
Here is the spirit of this novel to me:
Imagine, on plain and warm day, a cherished adult mentor, in their old age, clutches you to their chest in a moment you’re vulnerable — a child, you’re grappling with the kind of profound disappointment and fear of growing up kids can’t always put into words — and as they hold you every memory of their own life and childhood and that of everyone they’ve ever loved, known in passing, and never met flashes before their eyes and they understand and love you and themselves and everyone on earth better than they could ever put into words. And then they rub you on the head and give you a snack and you feel a little better. They watch you play outside while they sit in a porch chair and think about how you both will be grow forever and ever and ever, warmth squeezing the air out of their heart and lungs.
Here is the spirit of this novel to me:
Imagine, on plain and warm day, a cherished adult mentor, in their old age, clutches you to their chest in a moment you’re vulnerable — a child, you’re grappling with the kind of profound disappointment and fear of growing up kids can’t always put into words — and as they hold you every memory of their own life and childhood and that of everyone they’ve ever loved, known in passing, and never met flashes before their eyes and they understand and love you and themselves and everyone on earth better than they could ever put into words. And then they rub you on the head and give you a snack and you feel a little better. They watch you play outside while they sit in a porch chair and think about how you both will be grow forever and ever and ever, warmth squeezing the air out of their heart and lungs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
emmerylynn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Not my usual genre, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was interesting seeing how all the characters connected. The writing style was also amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death
erikabites's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Violence
Minor: Rape
lindsaylhunter's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
I don't think I'll ever not enjoy what this author puts out there. She has an uncanny ability to write heartwarming stories that circle back again and again to stay with you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Death
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Rape
maddie_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I remember watching the TV show for a few episodes a few years ago so it's interesting seeing what I remember/ what they changed.
I really enjoy the structure of the book, where you follow characters over time and space.And the fact that you don't necessarily know at the beginning which characters you are going to follow. Like it's so interesting going back in time to a character that we already know is dead and learn more about them, their hopes and dreams, their impact on others and then see their death from a totally different perspective. Very humanizing. Loved the "twist" of knowing who the prophet was and the parallels between his trauma and Kristen's trauma . Also really enjoy the writing style. I like the feeling of not knowing where the author is taking you.
Loved all the Canadian and especially the Toronto references!
I have a difficult time visualizing some books but thought this book was written in a way that really facilitated visualizing what was happening, being familiar with Toronto also probably helped though.
I also enjoyed the tone of the book, it felt neither overly optimistic or pessimistic in imagining a post-apocalyptic world.
One minor critique is that some of the side characters were difficult to distinguish between.Specifically, Kristen's traveling symphony friends
I also kind of wished we had seen the reunion between Kristen and Jevin and if they 'd figure out how they knew each other
I really enjoy the structure of the book, where you follow characters over time and space.
Loved all the Canadian and especially the Toronto references!
I have a difficult time visualizing some books but thought this book was written in a way that really facilitated visualizing what was happening, being familiar with Toronto also probably helped though.
I also enjoyed the tone of the book, it felt neither overly optimistic or pessimistic in imagining a post-apocalyptic world.
One minor critique is that some of the side characters were difficult to distinguish between.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Minor: Rape and Blood
sandysmith's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
So hard to decide where to start with the review of this one, published in 2014, the book explores a dystopia world of those who survive a flu that kills 99.6% of the population within 3/4 hours of contracting the virus. So within 20 years young people are unable to know a time when there was electricity, mobile phones, air travel the internet, cars and so forth and how different people react to this change. The book does hop around different times and different characters, of which there are many, my favourites being Kirsten a child actress, who was 8 when the flu hit. There is a travelling symphony that she d part of, which goes from town to town, in a circuit, giving shows of music with their orchestra or plays, including Shakespeare. On their wagons is the slogan, "Survival is inefficient." From Star Trek Voyager. For me, parts of the book were slow, and I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first, although it was a bit of a disappointing ending. But boy, does this book make you think and appreciate all of the things we have. I'm just glad I read this now and not when the global pandemic was at its peak. Interesting, thought-provoking, and well written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Murder, Gun violence, Rape, Suicide, and Kidnapping
pagesfromhome's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I picked this book for my book club this month and even though I had read it before, I feel like I had a totally different experience reading it this time.
St. John Mandel does an incredible job of spanning time and characters to build a world that feels realistic and haunting at the same time. Although, I found some characters less “necessary” to the story than others, I rarely regretted the moments spent with them on the page.
I love how she toyed with the timeline of the events in the book and teased growth and hope in the perfect amount throughout the story. I’d been avoiding pandemic/dystopian fiction for a long time (for a pretty obvious reason) but I’m grateful that I dove back in with this one.
St. John Mandel does an incredible job of spanning time and characters to build a world that feels realistic and haunting at the same time. Although, I found some characters less “necessary” to the story than others, I rarely regretted the moments spent with them on the page.
I love how she toyed with the timeline of the events in the book and teased growth and hope in the perfect amount throughout the story. I’d been avoiding pandemic/dystopian fiction for a long time (for a pretty obvious reason) but I’m grateful that I dove back in with this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping and Suicide
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
kittythewildcat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If you saw the TV show, this book is similar but different. If you have read Neil Gaiman's Stardust and watched the movie, it is similar. Someone read this story, appreciated it, and tweaked it to tell a similar yet different story (and I liked the movie/show better both times). Not as much redemption in the book as the show for the characters. There is less warmth and human connection, but the book feels like a you get a good look inside people's heads during a mass tragedy. The world of the book certainly goes darker than the show. But you get more of the side characters backstory and it was a very interesting read. If you want the sweetness and connection from the show especially from Kirsten and Jeevan, this isn't for you. But if you would like more in people's thoughts about their lives before and after, this is great.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Death
mega_mikko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Took me a while to finish - but this was a very good read. Made me think a lot of civilization - the value we place on things; celebrity, hierarchy, money - and how art transcends all of these things. Hits very close to home as we currently navigate COVID-19, but it's made me more appreciative of what we do have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Suicide and Rape
thesunthesunthesunthesun's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic