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isabelawith1l's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
5.0
I loved this book. I love any media that approaches humanity from an outside perspective/point of view (indomitable human spirit alien stories, anyone?) so this book was right up my alley. There were so many introspective moments that force you to recognize how humanity is severely flawed but also how humanity still thrives through their lows.
** spoilers ahead **
"Sometimes, to be yourself you will have to forget yourself and become something else. Your character is not a fixed thing. You will sometimes have to move to keep up with it."
I truly loved the narrator slowly realizing how much he craved connection, even if the civilization that he came from was more "logical" or "civilized."
I loved the theme of humanity being terrible as a whole but individually worth of living the lives that they have decided to live.
The narrator's relationship with Gulliver was amazing to me because I loved how he recognized someone in pain and tried to help (as a side note, I appreciated how the narrator from the very beginning was always a character who wanted to help first, even before he "turned" human). I genuinely got really emotional during the rooftop scene because of how desperately the narrator was trying to reach out to Gulliver.
I will say, I did have to debate with myself multiple times if the narrator's relationship with Isobel was weird because she was essentially having sex and a deeply emotional relationship with her husband's murderer. Grated, this is the same for Gulliver, who was creating a paternal relationship with his father's murderer, and Andrew was a terrible person anyway, but it's something that I'm still trying to justify for myself.
** spoilers ahead **
"Sometimes, to be yourself you will have to forget yourself and become something else. Your character is not a fixed thing. You will sometimes have to move to keep up with it."
I truly loved the narrator slowly realizing how much he craved connection, even if the civilization that he came from was more "logical" or "civilized."
I loved the theme of humanity being terrible as a whole but individually worth of living the lives that they have decided to live.
The narrator's relationship with Gulliver was amazing to me because I loved how he recognized someone in pain and tried to help (as a side note, I appreciated how the narrator from the very beginning was always a character who wanted to help first, even before he "turned" human). I genuinely got really emotional during the rooftop scene because of how desperately the narrator was trying to reach out to Gulliver.
I will say, I did have to debate with myself multiple times if the narrator's relationship with Isobel was weird because she was essentially having sex and a deeply emotional relationship with her husband's murderer. Grated, this is the same for Gulliver, who was creating a paternal relationship with his father's murderer, and Andrew was a terrible person anyway, but it's something that I'm still trying to justify for myself.
krista_billings's review against another edition
4.0
I Iove Matt Haig. I don't know if I love this book. I suspect I am not in the right frame of mind to read it and if I read it at another point in the future and with a different lens, I would adore it.
caustic_moomoo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
nicmgray's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.25
sarahesterman's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This wasn’t for me. I didn’t hate the premise, but the execution was just… not it. Also grapes are toxic to dogs and when the dog ate the grape I was horrified (but it seems the author maybe just didn’t know that because the dog was fine).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Murder
clacksee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sydbelle02's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
snickerdoodlesmile's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, and Blood
Minor: Self harm, Abandonment, Rape, and Vomit
steppingthroughpages's review against another edition
4.0
When I started this book I was confused and kind of ready to get through it , but it grew on me without me realising until half way through. I couldn’t put it down there were twists and turns . I don’t know how Matt Haig does it he unravels the human mind and lays out all the things you didn’t know you needed to read.