Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
It took me a while to finish this book, mainly because I'm still taking nursing classes and all I've had in front of me are textbooks. I was relieved when I finally had some free time to read this gem. The book's underlying theme discusses death and "seizing the day" while you're still alive. The characters in this book all harbor secrets and they are finally brought to light when each of them begin receiving a phone call stating, "Remember, you must die." Each individual has a different response and experience to these calls. Each person claims a different person has relayed this message, which calls into question the seriousness of the calls until it is ultimately too late for that individual. There are some great philosophical views on death portrayed through some of the interactions between characters, as well as some of that "dry" wit. I was pleased, however; to find that, even though I had put the book down for almost a month or two, I could pick it back up and not miss a beat. This book is truly memorable.
slow-paced
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I read this book for a class that I'm taking about the Twentieth century. I was not expecting much, as most of the time, I dislike books that are read in school settings. This was also written in the '50s, so I excepted a very dry and difficult-to-read book. But, that is not what I got. I absolutely loved this book. From the first page, I was encapsulated by this book. The premise is that a group of elderly friends and family are getting phone calls from an anonymous man saying "Remember you must die." This immediately interested me. Each character has an extremely distinct personality that makes you either love them or hate them. I was really drawn to the characters of Charmian, Jean Taylor, and Alec Warner. There aren't many books written about old people, and Sparks writes them very well. This book is very funny, even when it is talking about dark subjects like death. I found myself chuckling out loud, which isn't something I often do. The serious moments are also very well done. After some scenes, I had to put down the book and really think about what just happened and how it relates to my life. The themes of mortality are very prominent in this book. But, it is never overly-morbid. It leaves you thinking about death (in old age) in an almost positive way. The hints of postmodernism were also very interesting to me. This book left me thinking about life in a different way than I had before. I think this will stick with me forever. I highly recommend this book.
Not my 'cup of tea' - I liked Aiding and Abetting and The Finishing School, but just could not get through this one.
Funny in patches, but a little bit depressing and morbid in others and not as resolved as I'd like. Still it's one off the pile (and it's been there a while).
Did Not Finish.
I have enjoyed Muriel Spark in the past (A Far From Kensington), but I just couldn't get into this. The plot was presented almost as an inside joke, where you're supposed to somehow know what's already going on with these people. Maybe obfuscated would be the right word here. I'm not giving up on Spark (I still want to read Miss Jean Brodie), but this one was a miss for me.
I have enjoyed Muriel Spark in the past (A Far From Kensington), but I just couldn't get into this. The plot was presented almost as an inside joke, where you're supposed to somehow know what's already going on with these people. Maybe obfuscated would be the right word here. I'm not giving up on Spark (I still want to read Miss Jean Brodie), but this one was a miss for me.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes