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jennyfromtheloch's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
mackinnonanna's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
laura_cookson's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
un4tunatalie's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
jennynz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readily_reads's review
3.5
I enjoyed the writing style but sometimes felt the characters were a bit too quirky.
thelibraryofklee's review
4.0
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness."
Ahhhhh Eddy, sweet child, the trauma is very real for our boy (and I promise, he is ours), an orphan raised by an odd-ball Uncle in Christchurch. The earthquakes (which will be a part of our generations memory) are a catalyst for this coming-of-age tale. Expelled from school, juggling odd jobs, and complex relationships with those around him, Eddy shows us how to come full circle in grief: how to find love, find happiness, find reconnection. In this case, with the help of vibrant discourse and a host of wild characters - both human and animal.
This books language is rich - you may require the odd stop to Google the definition of a word - but this really creates an intriguing challenge for soaking up the dialogue between all relatively intelligent characters. Both comical and heart-breaking, each character shines with their own uniqueness, but with a shared love for those around them. They are perfectly flawed and intensely human in their interactions. This novel really captures something very special, very NZ. It made me laugh. It made me cry (from the very beginning dagnamit). It's a slow burn, character-building type novel that gives us glimpses into the earth-shattering events that happen in Eddy's life, and how he navigates his existence post-trauma/s.
Def get this one in your hands folks - the kiwis will particularly feel this one to their bones.
"On and on went the world, thought Eddy, swirling and determined, rearranging itself around his semi-baffled self.
Ahhhhh Eddy, sweet child, the trauma is very real for our boy (and I promise, he is ours), an orphan raised by an odd-ball Uncle in Christchurch. The earthquakes (which will be a part of our generations memory) are a catalyst for this coming-of-age tale. Expelled from school, juggling odd jobs, and complex relationships with those around him, Eddy shows us how to come full circle in grief: how to find love, find happiness, find reconnection. In this case, with the help of vibrant discourse and a host of wild characters - both human and animal.
This books language is rich - you may require the odd stop to Google the definition of a word - but this really creates an intriguing challenge for soaking up the dialogue between all relatively intelligent characters. Both comical and heart-breaking, each character shines with their own uniqueness, but with a shared love for those around them. They are perfectly flawed and intensely human in their interactions. This novel really captures something very special, very NZ. It made me laugh. It made me cry (from the very beginning dagnamit). It's a slow burn, character-building type novel that gives us glimpses into the earth-shattering events that happen in Eddy's life, and how he navigates his existence post-trauma/s.
Def get this one in your hands folks - the kiwis will particularly feel this one to their bones.
"On and on went the world, thought Eddy, swirling and determined, rearranging itself around his semi-baffled self.
jacki_f's review
4.0
This is a gorgeous New Zealand novel that is (very) loosely based on the novel “A Christmas Carol” and it takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It’s a perfect, warming read for this time of year.
Eddy is a delightful and very bright 19 year old who is drifting in his life. He dropped out of High School, recently lost his much loved dog and fills his days pet sitting, dog walking and working part time in a supermarket. He is an orphan who was raised by his somewhat eccentric but very loving uncle.
This is one of those books with a cast of tight knit and quirky characters who you grow very fond of over the course of the book. It is also one of those books (like [b:Isaac and the Egg|55833904|Isaac and the Egg|Bobby Palmer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649843285l/55833904._SY75_.jpg|87050721] or [b:Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine|35900387|Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine|Gail Honeyman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557858891l/35900387._SY75_.jpg|47327681]) where you don’t initially realise why the main character is as they are. There are a series of reveals over the book which had a strong impact on me.
Another character in the novel is the city of Christchurch where the book is set. It takes place two years after the 2011 earthquake that caused so much damage and the wounds in the city mirror the wounds that Eddy is carrying internally.
Having said that, I must stress that it’s not in any way a depressing read. Eddy is a wonderful character and there’s a lot of humour in this book.
Eddy is a delightful and very bright 19 year old who is drifting in his life. He dropped out of High School, recently lost his much loved dog and fills his days pet sitting, dog walking and working part time in a supermarket. He is an orphan who was raised by his somewhat eccentric but very loving uncle.
This is one of those books with a cast of tight knit and quirky characters who you grow very fond of over the course of the book. It is also one of those books (like [b:Isaac and the Egg|55833904|Isaac and the Egg|Bobby Palmer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649843285l/55833904._SY75_.jpg|87050721] or [b:Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine|35900387|Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine|Gail Honeyman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557858891l/35900387._SY75_.jpg|47327681]) where you don’t initially realise why the main character is as they are. There are a series of reveals over the book which had a strong impact on me.
Another character in the novel is the city of Christchurch where the book is set. It takes place two years after the 2011 earthquake that caused so much damage and the wounds in the city mirror the wounds that Eddy is carrying internally.
Having said that, I must stress that it’s not in any way a depressing read. Eddy is a wonderful character and there’s a lot of humour in this book.
meghancoo's review
4.0
This grew on me as I got through it, and I’m definitely not smart enough for most of the words. I would probably read again to pick up on the bits a missed the first time around. Really enjoyed all the animals and eddy’s relationship with the kids
yekelekey's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0