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christinasbookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
Very beautiful writing but Regan wasn't my favorite
jenzhg's review against another edition
5.0
5⭐/5
"And everything will be as it was, only very slightly different."
That's the exact way I feel after having dived into the story of Aldo and Regan, Regan and Aldo, Raldo?
This story started so slow (in retrospect, I dived straight in assuming it was plot-heavy) and I (shamefully but admittedly) did not like Aldo nor Regan at first . They both gave me ambivalent impressions since I had never really read a book centred around very eccentric, idiosyncratic characters before and (at the time) did not understand or see the significance of their personalities.
Somewhere around halfway into the book, I realised that this book was character-heavy, and that changed my perspective greatly .
The characters are extremely fleshed-out and so well done. Their interactions were so realistic and raw and real that I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear or scream and sob within the crevices of the book. Whenever I was reading, even if I wasn't understanding fully what she had written, I kept asking myself, "God, there must be some divine self-awareness in her to be able to write in such precise detail." because, truly, HOW CAN ONE WRITE LIKE THAT?!?!?! Like, how does one write with such precision, such fluidity, such verbose-ness YET STILL ENCHANTS THE READER TO CONTINUE READING?!
I don't think I entrust myself with the task to describe her writing to anyone reading this but it was nothing like I've ever seen before---creative, unique, but exquisite in its enthralling way.
I honestly think I could spend a lifetime trying to dissect and understand every nook and cranny of this book and would still never reach the bottom and that's so fucking frustrating. But it's also why I love it. You can just never be "done" with this book. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that this book is forever infinite.
"And everything will be as it was, only very slightly different."
That's the exact way I feel after having dived into the story of Aldo and Regan, Regan and Aldo, Raldo?
This story started so slow (in retrospect, I dived straight in assuming it was plot-heavy) and I (shamefully but admittedly) did not like Aldo nor Regan at first . They both gave me ambivalent impressions since I had never really read a book centred around very eccentric, idiosyncratic characters before and (at the time) did not understand or see the significance of their personalities.
Somewhere around halfway into the book, I realised that this book was character-heavy, and that changed my perspective greatly .
The characters are extremely fleshed-out and so well done. Their interactions were so realistic and raw and real that I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear or scream and sob within the crevices of the book. Whenever I was reading, even if I wasn't understanding fully what she had written, I kept asking myself, "God, there must be some divine self-awareness in her to be able to write in such precise detail." because, truly, HOW CAN ONE WRITE LIKE THAT?!?!?! Like, how does one write with such precision, such fluidity, such verbose-ness YET STILL ENCHANTS THE READER TO CONTINUE READING?!
I don't think I entrust myself with the task to describe her writing to anyone reading this but it was nothing like I've ever seen before---creative, unique, but exquisite in its enthralling way.
I honestly think I could spend a lifetime trying to dissect and understand every nook and cranny of this book and would still never reach the bottom and that's so fucking frustrating. But it's also why I love it. You can just never be "done" with this book. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that this book is forever infinite.
reyreads's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm. A conflicted 3.5. First 2/3s of this book were so stellar, Blake really is an excellent writer and I find her prose beautiful. It’s slow and character driven which is how I like it but can see how it could be discouraging to potential readers. Regan feels incredibly real as does the tension and intimacy between her and Aldo, their conversations echo favourites I’ve had.
However, I feel like it lost me in its conclusion. It felt rushed and superficial in both conflict and resolution, I think maybe I wanted it to Hurt more than it did. I also can’t tell if it’s my general aversion to smut but some lines were kinda ridiculously jarring. Would still recommend!
However, I feel like it lost me in its conclusion. It felt rushed and superficial in both conflict and resolution, I think maybe I wanted it to Hurt more than it did. I also can’t tell if it’s my general aversion to smut but some lines were kinda ridiculously jarring. Would still recommend!
inesisaway's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ioannareadabook's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dismantled's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I struggled to connect with the first part, but when the two characters finally meet it’s magic. Poetic, introspective if at times a bit pretentious (but come on, one of the main characters is an artist so that’s practically a given), and overall quite beautifully written.
carlaben's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jay_hobday's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
sarahgenie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75