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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
I went to go see Emily St. John Mandel speak at some college in Dallas (or somewhere). During the lecture she said that her first idea was to have the traveling troupe perform Seinfeld episodes instead of Shakespeare, and now I can't get that idea out of my head. It's brilliant. It's probably the most brilliant thing I've ever heard. I'm so mad that that book doesn't exist that I don't think I could ever re-read this book.
It's still good though. Just not...you know, the most amazing thing ever written. Like it could have been.
It's still good though. Just not...you know, the most amazing thing ever written. Like it could have been.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
For me this was a book about longing for things lost. People, lives, places, and memories. It's also a book about how longing and grief connects people.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I went into this book knowing virtually nothing about it other then I thought it was based on the COVID-19 pandemic. Whew, this author had foresight, and this read felt post-traumatic at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Just that having lived through 2020, there were times when this book was immensely challenging to read. But there are so many points that make the reader grateful for the resiliency of human beings and the world we live in today.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
I absolutely loved this book, I wish I could read it again for the first time. Loved the time-jumping narrative, I understood and sympathised with every character, and I enjoyed how their tangential connections were explored. So excited to read more from this author
While I did enjoy this one, I found myself still wanting some more. I think part of this is my fault as I thought we were going to have some more scifi influences.
I can see why people enjoy this book, however, I do prefer a bit more plot in my books. This one was much more character-driven, though I didn't connect with the characters enough to feel fully sucked into the story.
I also don't advise people NOT to read books, but the first couple chapters have some detailed descriptions of people learning about a flu-like/SARS-like pandemic, panic buying, and losing their life from this illness. With COVID still being a reality in our world, please use caution when picking this book up.
I can see why people enjoy this book, however, I do prefer a bit more plot in my books. This one was much more character-driven, though I didn't connect with the characters enough to feel fully sucked into the story.
I also don't advise people NOT to read books, but the first couple chapters have some detailed descriptions of people learning about a flu-like/SARS-like pandemic, panic buying, and losing their life from this illness. With COVID still being a reality in our world, please use caution when picking this book up.
What a gorgeous book. I watched the series a few years ago, before knowing the story was first a book. I think the series lost some of the hope and subtle whimsy captured in the writing. Being set during /just after a time that almost ended humanity, this book could have contained egregious violence, depression, and darkness. But this book was so light, focusing on relationships, community and the unseen threads that tie us together. It reminded me, loosely, of the Road (Cormac McCarthy); the focus was love.