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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I quite enjoyed this book! I went in not knowing anything about it - it was the book of the month for my local library’s discussion group. I loved Leo Gursky and thought his story was so tragic, funny, heartfelt, lonely, and wholesome. I didn’t care too much for Bird. Also, it was confusing in some parts, you really need to read carefully. I did find it interesting some of the thoughts of my discussion group - but decided not to change my initial rating of the book. I wish there was an actual “History of Love” book which I could read (which this book was based upon) - unless I just don’t know about it. Beautifully written! Unexpectedly relateable! I recommend it!
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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:
Yes
i read this book in my ap lang class and oh my god its so good. like wow.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was achingly beautiful. It was beautifully written. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Okay so this book was everything. It was moving and enchanting. It was overwhelming and confusing. Achingly funny, deeply melancholic, stylized to exhaustion. It was a lot. I loved it, and it was a lot.
This was a great read for me. I mean, yes okay the ending was weird and did not satisfy me completely. Especially because there were so many details I wanted audibly resolved by our main characters (what the hell, Nicole!). But other than that, I pretty much loved this the whole way through. The writing was amazing; the switching viewpoints and timelines had me completely immersed in this story.
Sometimes when you read a really good book, you just want to sit with it silently instead of dissecting and analyzing it out of existence like I’m wont to do. So I’ll just say, “read this book if you like good ones,” and make my exit.
[Edit 6/21/19] Just kidding. Let’s get into this review:
The thing I loved most about this book was how neatly wrapped it was. The plot is small, but still spans time over multiple generations. Everything links (even if done a bit messily).
The characters and their unique voices are the strongest element to this novel. Leo, our lonely, elderly protagonist has spent his whole life trying not to disappear, while also wishing for his death simultaneously. As a man who lives only to please the ones he loves, it’s an excruciating experience for him to watch as everyone leaves. It’s hard to read his chapters as his story unfolds. The reader realizes everyone Leo has ever loved and everything he has accomplished was stolen from him and given to someone else.
Our co-protagonist, Alma, is a curious and lonely adolescent trying to pick up the pieces after the death of her father rips a gaping hole through the fabric that once held her family together. Alma and her curiosity, in an attempt to find some happiness for her mother, become the plot propeller that seeks out the link between our characters. Alma’s voice, innocent and full of yearning, keeps the reader rooting for her as she navigates through an achingly familiar coming-of-age journey.
Love, as you might imagine, is a threaded theme throughout the novel. But the theme that throbs at the forefront is loss. All of our characters have lost something that either keeps them searching for something to fill the hole left behind, or leaves them feeling stagnant as the world rushes by.
Even though the themes explored are heavy in nature, a stream of humor shines through to the last page, lightening the load where it can. I always say that being able to balance the two is a sign of great writing.
My critiques are small, but important. This plot is messy. I had to go back and reread whole passages to remember many details, and the ending was just straight up confusing. This messiness, in one way, felt realistic, but at the same time, took away from meaning behind the extraneous plot points. The pacing was excellent until the last 50 pages, where it catapulted itself recklessly across the finish line. These problems didn’t keep me from enjoying the story as a whole, but I still think with a bit of editing, the overall plot could have been stronger.
Okay. I’ve analyzed. I’m going to let this book relax now.
This was a great read for me. I mean, yes okay the ending was weird and did not satisfy me completely. Especially because there were so many details I wanted audibly resolved by our main characters (what the hell, Nicole!). But other than that, I pretty much loved this the whole way through. The writing was amazing; the switching viewpoints and timelines had me completely immersed in this story.
Sometimes when you read a really good book, you just want to sit with it silently instead of dissecting and analyzing it out of existence like I’m wont to do. So I’ll just say, “read this book if you like good ones,” and make my exit.
[Edit 6/21/19] Just kidding. Let’s get into this review:
The thing I loved most about this book was how neatly wrapped it was. The plot is small, but still spans time over multiple generations. Everything links (even if done a bit messily).
The characters and their unique voices are the strongest element to this novel. Leo, our lonely, elderly protagonist has spent his whole life trying not to disappear, while also wishing for his death simultaneously. As a man who lives only to please the ones he loves, it’s an excruciating experience for him to watch as everyone leaves. It’s hard to read his chapters as his story unfolds. The reader realizes everyone Leo has ever loved and everything he has accomplished was stolen from him and given to someone else.
Our co-protagonist, Alma, is a curious and lonely adolescent trying to pick up the pieces after the death of her father rips a gaping hole through the fabric that once held her family together. Alma and her curiosity, in an attempt to find some happiness for her mother, become the plot propeller that seeks out the link between our characters. Alma’s voice, innocent and full of yearning, keeps the reader rooting for her as she navigates through an achingly familiar coming-of-age journey.
Love, as you might imagine, is a threaded theme throughout the novel. But the theme that throbs at the forefront is loss. All of our characters have lost something that either keeps them searching for something to fill the hole left behind, or leaves them feeling stagnant as the world rushes by.
Even though the themes explored are heavy in nature, a stream of humor shines through to the last page, lightening the load where it can. I always say that being able to balance the two is a sign of great writing.
My critiques are small, but important. This plot is messy. I had to go back and reread whole passages to remember many details, and the ending was just straight up confusing. This messiness, in one way, felt realistic, but at the same time, took away from meaning behind the extraneous plot points. The pacing was excellent until the last 50 pages, where it catapulted itself recklessly across the finish line. These problems didn’t keep me from enjoying the story as a whole, but I still think with a bit of editing, the overall plot could have been stronger.
Okay. I’ve analyzed. I’m going to let this book relax now.
Reading the physical copy of this book was the right decision. I fully loved it.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced