Scan barcode
drlark's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
An impressive piece of storytelling, for sure, worthy of the praise it's gotten, The Great Believers follows two time lines. The first is 1980s Chicago at the height of the aids crisis, where our hero Yale finds his community and his relationships increasingly threatened by this new and terrifying virus. The 2nd is 2015 in Paris, where Fiona, whose brother died of aids back in the 80s, is looking for her estranged daughter.
I found myself totally enthralled with both characters' stories. Makkai writes messy relationships really well, in a way that makes this a page-turner. Most impressive, though, is the way she evokes the emotions and the setting of this period, both during and in its aftermath. The trauma and the tragedy were almost more than I could handle, but the storytelling is so good, and the audiobook narration is SO STELLAR, I loved this. I was even invested in the art acquisition b plot.
I found myself totally enthralled with both characters' stories. Makkai writes messy relationships really well, in a way that makes this a page-turner. Most impressive, though, is the way she evokes the emotions and the setting of this period, both during and in its aftermath. The trauma and the tragedy were almost more than I could handle, but the storytelling is so good, and the audiobook narration is SO STELLAR, I loved this. I was even invested in the art acquisition b plot.
patiolinguist's review
5.0
I couldn't help but love every moment of it. I was completely captivated by the author's exceptional command of language, the complex multidimensional characters, the alternating storylines and the plot that ultimately left me nothing short of devastated.
adearfellow's review
5.0
i can’t fucking breathe. there’s so much to be said about this book. so much to be appreciated, to be enamored with…the stories from yale and fiona to those of each and every character no matter how big or small are all so beautifully written. i never wanted this book to end, partly because i was terrified with how devastated when i was through, but mostly because i couldn’t get enough. it was one of the most beautiful things i’ve ever had the privilege of reading and it’ll be carried on in my heart forever. also, i haven’t been able to stop crying and its been about an hour since i finished but.
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
Hard to read at times, this book leans into the weight of the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and the weight of survival. Poignant, heartfelt, and ultimately, hopeful.
belanaborealis's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
it took me a bit to get into the 2015 storyline but god this book was so good and nearly made me cry (also claire was infuriating me ngl)
jvdvp's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
nighthawker's review
4.0
a beautiful tale of art and the impact of AIDS on people’s lives <3 i loved it. the parallels between nora and yale were so smart
darcy_kummerow's review
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-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
smason110's review
emotional
informative
sad
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
4.5