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moumita's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was a whole lot of nothing..
auroraboringallofus's review against another edition
3.0
The book is about passion, desire, longing, and belief, I guess, but wow is it tedious. ("That same old slog," as the narrator says repeatedly to dismiss some cliched turn of events. How appropriate.) Perfectly, for a book about Buddhism, I felt completely detached, uninvolved, uninvested, removed -- no compulsion to continue with this book. It should have been interesting, since it pulls together so many themes and points of references. But it was just one big boring shrug.
krytygr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a very intriguing novel. A lot of twists I wasn’t expecting. The loss of her father and the need to know was so vivid. And we ladies all know how quickly tensions rise with this age group. The ending will get you.
taryngrieve's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
maralyons's review against another edition
5.0
‘The Lightness’ is a stunningly well-written and perfectly-paced story about events that unfold at a Buddhist summer camp for teen girls. It is deliciously dark and luscious descriptions abound. The story is told in Olivia’s perspective, a 16 year old who has a troubled relationship with her mother and a father who has recently disappeared and was last seen at the Buddhist retreat center where the story is set. Olivia immediately becomes entranced by a small group of mysterious and enigmatic girls and is welcomed into their fold. Most mesmerizing and inscrutable is their leader, Serena, who desires to levitate. What I found most fascinating was how well Temple captures the heightened emotions and perceptions of teenagers. I adored this book and can’t wait to see what Emily Temple writes next.
Thank you to GoodReads giveaways and Harper Collins Publishers/William Morrow for providing this ARC.
Thank you to GoodReads giveaways and Harper Collins Publishers/William Morrow for providing this ARC.
careydnelson's review against another edition
3.0
I think I would have rated this 4/5 had I not just finished In the Woods by Tana French. Ms. French's book is dense and affecting while this one strings along tension and mystery well it is a bit like rolling Play-Doh (or regular dough if you're not a parent I guess). The longer you roll it the thinner it gets. Still, a nice book I enjoyed.
There are favorable parallels to be drawn to The Secret History here. I'd put them on opposite ends of the Play-Doh roll spectrum.
There are favorable parallels to be drawn to The Secret History here. I'd put them on opposite ends of the Play-Doh roll spectrum.
devonlynn's review against another edition
5.0
Dreamy and magical and dark and dramatic, just like summertime when you’re sixteen. I loved this book so much. We need more from you, Emily Temple.
arielamandah's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I wrote myself a note roughly 75 pages in, in all-caps: “LITERALLY NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SO FAR EXCEPT HEAVY-HANDED FORESHADOWING.” Two thirds along, I was still feeling the same. Normally this would be enough to kill a book for me, yet I stuck it through with The Lightness, and I’m glad I did. Temple’s writing shines in the final pages and the pace increases significantly. I will be interested to see what she does in the future. This felt like one of those uneven “early” novels to me.
Other notes: I loved the mythology/fairy tale references, they work wonderfully in a book about teen girls in the forest (insert big bad wolf allusion). Plenty of other lovely, insightful passages, too. I enjoyed her sharp jabs at organized religion throughout.
I seemed to miss most of the humor that the “blurbers” refer to? I didn’t find this book to be especially funny...
Other notes: I loved the mythology/fairy tale references, they work wonderfully in a book about teen girls in the forest (insert big bad wolf allusion). Plenty of other lovely, insightful passages, too. I enjoyed her sharp jabs at organized religion throughout.
I seemed to miss most of the humor that the “blurbers” refer to? I didn’t find this book to be especially funny...