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pikkicca's review against another edition
4.5
- not the best execution, it could have been much more interesting, what the characters were going through was sometimes boring and it didn’t feel very “deep”
- even though there’s multiple POVs in the book, i wish they were more diverse, maybe from different places besides just the US
+ intriguing concept
+ viewing the aftermath of something like this happening from various standpoints and bringing up issues that I hadn’t considered would arise from this kinda predicament
+ it makes you view the world differently, see the bigger picture even though the stories are about each individual, they interconnect in a way where it’s obvious how interconnected we all are and it’s not just about you
joyceheinen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If you could know how long you will live, would you want to know it? And if you knew the answer, what would you do with that information? This is the dilemma that the characters in “The Measure” have to deal with. One day, each person , 22 and over, receives a box. Within this box is a single string. The length of this string is different for everyone. This string tells you how long your life is.
At the start of the story, know one know what the strings mean. And nobody is forced to look at the inside of the box. But people are curious by nature, so most people do. And quickly society is split in two: the ones with the long strings and the so-called ‘short stringers’.
Author Nikki Erlick tells the story through several different perspectives. And this way you get to see how different people are dealing with a similar situation. Much like John Marrs’ books “The One” and “The Marriage Act”. For instance, we meet someone who finds out their string is short and how they try and cope with that information. We read from a couple where one of them gets a short string and the other doesn’t want to know. And also a long string politician, who is using it to his advantage for his campaign as a presidential candidate.
Many political, societal and ethical themes are touched upon. Like the aforementioned political candidate using it to gain more votes, for his opponent is a short-stringer. The army that doesn’t allow short-stringers, to up their odds. Mass shootings become even more ‘normal’, people breaking up with their partners because they don’t want to live with someone that will die within a few years and people with short strings that are denied health care.
“The Measure” is a unique premise that gives you a lot to think about, raises questions and makes you try to put you in the position of the characters. What would you do if you received the box? Would curiosity win? This book was so amazing, it’s thought provoking, unique and interesting to read from all the different perspectives. How something that is brought upon an entire society makes everyone respond to it so differently. A book I would recommend. For sure!
At the start of the story, know one know what the strings mean. And nobody is forced to look at the inside of the box. But people are curious by nature, so most people do. And quickly society is split in two: the ones with the long strings and the so-called ‘short stringers’.
Author Nikki Erlick tells the story through several different perspectives. And this way you get to see how different people are dealing with a similar situation. Much like John Marrs’ books “The One” and “The Marriage Act”. For instance, we meet someone who finds out their string is short and how they try and cope with that information. We read from a couple where one of them gets a short string and the other doesn’t want to know. And also a long string politician, who is using it to his advantage for his campaign as a presidential candidate.
Many political, societal and ethical themes are touched upon. Like the aforementioned political candidate using it to gain more votes, for his opponent is a short-stringer. The army that doesn’t allow short-stringers, to up their odds. Mass shootings become even more ‘normal’, people breaking up with their partners because they don’t want to live with someone that will die within a few years and people with short strings that are denied health care.
“The Measure” is a unique premise that gives you a lot to think about, raises questions and makes you try to put you in the position of the characters. What would you do if you received the box? Would curiosity win? This book was so amazing, it’s thought provoking, unique and interesting to read from all the different perspectives. How something that is brought upon an entire society makes everyone respond to it so differently. A book I would recommend. For sure!
pflugher's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jilliandenning's review against another edition
Perfect for a book club discussion.
missy_reading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
remym's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
spchamb's review against another edition
3.0
This book felt like one of those movies with a big Hollywood cast (Love Actually, New Year's Eve, etc.). Everyone receives a string in a box that reveals the length of their life. The rest of the book follows various characters who are coping with the fallout of this truth being revealed to them. Most of the characters meet in a "short-stringers," group and the book eventually reveals how the rest of the characters end up being connected. While I thought this was thought-provoking and an interesting concept, it felt a little dull. There's the big reveal of the strings at the beginning and then the plot kind of tapers off with no big climax.