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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
Not my cup of tea. Rich in detail, fine prose, but given the premise I was hoping for a satisfying resolution, and it never comes.
A woman seemingly slips into a parallel universe where her dead son is still alive. I liked it.
A sci-fi novel, perhaps, for people who don't believe they enjoy sci-fi. Quite engaging, even though neither the protagonist nor the reader quite knows what's going on. The ending especially feels like an enticing knot to tease apart.
One of those books that I couldn't put down or stop thinking about because I was trying so hard to figure out what was happening. Interesting ideas, well written, but I just couldn't believe that the end was the end. I kept waiting for a twist that never came. I needed a lot more resolution than the ending provided, and am disappointed that that was all there was.
I read this for a book club. I'd never heard of it before, and I don't know what drove my book club folks to choose it, as I was suddenly unable to attend the gathering. It's for the best, really, because I really didn't love this one. Have you ever watched a show and become incredibly frustrated with the main character for not just explaining whatever it is that's causing so much consternation among the other characters? A prime example of this is an episode of Freaks & Geeks, when Sam is covering up the bullying graffiti someone scrawled on his locker and gets caught and punished by a teacher who thinks he's the vandal. Why doesn't Sam just say, "yeah, this is my locker and some jerk scrawled all over it. I'm just trying to get it off." PROBLEM SOLVED. But no, let's make artificial drama! That's what this book felt like to me. The protagonist goes through some weird shit and as a result starts interacting with her family and friends in really nonsensical ways. Rather than say "wow, I know this sounds nuts, but I went through some really weird shit" to explain everything, she just...makes everything worse. I don't have a lot of sympathy for characters like that. The novel is told in a very naturalistic style, so when I hated all the characters (none are particularly likable) and found the motivations and actions of the protagonist unbelievable, I was left with simple, unimpressive prose. Bleh.
Also, I hate it when people write about nerd cons and video games and get stuff wrongish.
Also, I hate it when people write about nerd cons and video games and get stuff wrongish.
I really enjoyed this book, I like where it lead my brain. I like that I don't like anyone in that family, because they really are all assholes. but the interesting thing is that, at times, I was with her, Lisa, wishing for a universe where they're all okay. I still care about them even if they all kinda suck a little, which is exactly how they feel about each other. overall, I think it's an interesting take on the parallel universe genre (?) but the ending ruined it for me. I don't truly understand what purposes it serves, feels like the author threw a pop of magic in there and it doesn't make sense. besides that, it's a quick read and a good book to help reach the reading goal or help getting through a reading slump
dark
mysterious
medium-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
Very enjoyable. Totally different from my usual reads. Glad the ending was not more conventional. Stays with you.
I rounded up to three stars because I wanted to like it so much more than I did. The concept for the book was terrific. How many times have we wondered how different our lives would be if we'd changed one decision? The issue I had with the book was that it seemed to run out of steam at the end. I found the ending disappointing.
Very well written and compelling but disturbing. Guess I read it at a time when I wasn't ready for it!