Reviews

We Spread by Iain Reid

kdnerys's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

ghadahkhalid's review against another edition

3.0

I finished this book in one sitting, not only because it was short but also the language and writing of Iain Reid flowed easily and beautifully.

Starting this book I had thought it would take us on a journey of grief and loss, but I quickly found that I was wrong. We Spread sheds a light on the scary parts of aging; physical changes, memory loss, fear of death, paranoia, or even the inevitable sense of loneliness despite being part of a community or a family.

Because I’ve seen I Think of Ending Things, I found myself continuously trying to find and figure out the plot twist, but then I quickly realized that it was intended for me as a reader to go on this journey confused and afraid as if I were Penny. As she was questioning her own reality, I found myself questioning my own perception and understanding of the author’s words.

This was a fast, yet heavy and enlightening read. I look forward to picking up the author’s other works.

I’ve received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

kuswa's review against another edition

reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

andryce's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

birdmiller's review against another edition

I have no idea what just happened so I fear I have to leave this one unrated........
Definitely good and riveting in a way that's a little too real (aging, art, life, infinity, meaning, etc.) I just need to look more into this. My favorite theory so far is that Penny is quite literally just a painting like..... I also love how "penny" can be turned into a fraction (one-hundredth of one) which is just really something. Iain Reid I'm not sure what you did but you might have ate. It seems like this one isn't as well received as his other novels so I am looking forward to reading more from him.

smashproduct's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

kdelano's review against another edition

5.0

4.75 - One of the most captivating and unique books I’ve read possibly ever. An unsettling story of aging and everything that comes with it told in a way that only Iain Reid could do. Read it in a single day because it was that good.

llvaralli's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide

stefolive's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

4.0

sydneybooks13's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This totally wowed me. I couldn’t put it down because I was so tense and invested and just had to know what happened, but it was also surprisingly emotional. 

The ending was 100% perfect to me as well