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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
This was one of the most special and beautiful books I've ever read. The characters and story and heart of the Dunbar boys left me broken and happy and aching and full of joy. It was such an honest delight to read... Clay, Carey & Penny will stay with me for a long time.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I almost want to call this a novel in verse - the writing is that poetic. Sometimes I felt Zusak's style a bit heavy-handed, too much "but if I only knew...what happened next..." But then I'd be won over by an impossibly perfect, absolutely original phrase.
There were a few callouts to previous Zusak favs (The Book Thief, I'm looking at you), but it felt entirely different. Which I liked.
Overall, though, it's the character portraits that are sticking with me. Five brothers loving their way through tough times. Beautiful.
There were a few callouts to previous Zusak favs (The Book Thief, I'm looking at you), but it felt entirely different. Which I liked.
Overall, though, it's the character portraits that are sticking with me. Five brothers loving their way through tough times. Beautiful.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my god wow. This was incredible. And I can’t stop crying it was so good. At first I didn’t like it, I was so so confused and it made me feel dumb because I was so confused. But after each part it made a little more sense and then it just got so sad but so good. The stories that he told of Penelope but then also of Carey, intertwined perfectly. And he named his kids after them bro. And the whole party with abbey was just so beautiful and the dad coming back into their lives. Ugh this was so good and none of that makes sense to anyone who hasn’t read it but I don’t care. The bond between the brothers was so nice to read about and while the books is about these brothers and one who builds a bridge it’s really more so about them dealing with their grief and it’s written so beautifully. Sad it’s over
Also, this gets four stars only because it was so confusing at parts, there was nothing wrong with the book I just had to read slower than normal. It was lots of bits and pieces from all over in a non linear format so that was confusing.
Also, this gets four stars only because it was so confusing at parts, there was nothing wrong with the book I just had to read slower than normal. It was lots of bits and pieces from all over in a non linear format so that was confusing.
I couldn't get through this. Which is a pity, because usually I love Zusak's work.
Let me start here: I totally get why you could hate this book. It's slow and depressing. It's repetitive at times. The characters are hard to keep track of.
And I suffered through it, let me tell you.
I didn't like it at all at times.
But, in the end: Zusack delivered, at least for me. The message of healing was so beautiful, it earned four stars. And I really do love those Dunbar boys, if I'm being honest.
So, yeah. It's no Book Thief, but I didn't feel cheated either.
And I suffered through it, let me tell you.
I didn't like it at all at times.
But, in the end: Zusack delivered, at least for me. The message of healing was so beautiful, it earned four stars. And I really do love those Dunbar boys, if I'm being honest.
So, yeah. It's no Book Thief, but I didn't feel cheated either.
Not quite as good as The Book Thief, but still a literary masterpiece.
Absolutely incredible. Hauntingly beautiful. I couldn't put it down. Zusak surpasses himself in his story-telling capabilities.
Not much happens plot-wise in this book, but it has some of the most amazing characters I have ever read. Zusak clearly focuses on making you feel connected to these characters and becoming a part of their emotional highs and lows that reading this book is painful and yet so beautiful. Sometimes certain members in large families in books are overlooked or undeveloped, but every person in the Dunbar family is a unique and compelling individual capable of intriguing me entirely. Also, writing a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion to a novel is a difficult feat to pull off, yet I am wholly satisfied with how this book ended. Brought tears to my eyes.
Didn’t like the style of writing. Pretentious and used a lot of words to say nothing.