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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
I love Robert Webb, and I really loved his memoir. However, I did approach this with some scepticism, as it does sometimes happen that a celebrity tries on fiction and it's absolutely terrible. I really loved this book, and I actually devoured it completely on one lazy Sunday. For the audiobook skeptics among you, please look away and avoid commenting "you didn't read this at all", but I really do recommend this one on audio book. Olivier Colman reads it and she is amazing. She does all of the accents so well, and it really made the story come alive in that way that only a good narrator can do. She switches between London, Scottish, and Welsh accents with ease, and gives you that sense that you get to know the characters. But on this count, I felt that Webb did a really good job of developing the main character in the first part in a way that didn't feel contrived, so that you actually cared about what happened in the second half. After that first half, I actually went back and read the synopsis again because it wasn't what I had expected. Immediately as the second half started I saw that it was indeed correct, and that's where it enters into the realm of fantasy. It was good fun, though, and I would definitely recommend picking it up if you are a fan of Webb and a fan of this sort of fiction. The one star off is mainly because towards the end it does get a bit too fantastical and there are a few bits that were resolved in a rather superficial way, but that's really my only critique. I haven't been a big reader of contemporary fiction until this year, and I will hand it to him that I didn't feel like I was reading a book where I could actually see the author trying to hard, which is how I feel a lot when I am reading new books. I don't know if Webb would have got this opportunity if he weren't so famous, but I am glad he did; and I hope he writes more.
This book started off slow, had a fabulous middle, but then ended with a whimper. There was a lot to like about it, but the storyline didn’t quite work for me and wasn’t really the kind of book I thought it was going to be when I started it.
There’s no doubt it’s well written and flows incredibly well, but after looking forward to reading it for so long I was left feeling a bit deflated by the end of it.
I’m sure some people will love it but for me it’s a well written, often enjoyable read that left me feeling decidedly underwhelmed by the end of it. Three stars.
There’s no doubt it’s well written and flows incredibly well, but after looking forward to reading it for so long I was left feeling a bit deflated by the end of it.
I’m sure some people will love it but for me it’s a well written, often enjoyable read that left me feeling decidedly underwhelmed by the end of it. Three stars.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first time in a long time I’ve finished a book within 48 hours. It took me a while to get into, and I rolled my eyes a bit at some of the implausibility of many things, but overall I loved this book. This is a book about dealing with grief and learning to love life again. I think we’ve all been dealing with lots of grief in 2020. While it definitely starts off dark, it’s a great book that will leave you feeling invigorated (and sad that you can’t go back to university freshers week), all the while thinking some of the story is ridiculous, which Webb to his credit acknowledges. A surprisingly fun, perspective-changing book that anyone going through a rough time should read.
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Brilliant book. Wasn’t what I expected but was entertaining
A good book, very easy to read and flowed well, the ending had a twist that was definitely unexpected. The only bit I didn't like was the 18yr old Kate having a 7th dan black belt, (unless she was handed them just for turning up!), the dan gradings in martial arts don't work as getting a new dan every year once you get to black just to show how many years you've been a black! I know from experience of being around the martial arts world for the last 13yrs that it takes many years to get to 7th dan, no matter how talented you are you still have to follow the rules for advancement!
What started out as acute quaint story about learning to live with grief ... Ending was robbed by an unnecessary plot twist which felt very forced.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No