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emselilly's review against another edition
4.0
I was recommended this book by a dear friend, to dive more into Australian literature.
Not my usual kind of read, but I enjoyed its interesting mix of thought provoking moments and twists and turns of a crime novel.
Not my usual kind of read, but I enjoyed its interesting mix of thought provoking moments and twists and turns of a crime novel.
emilyjanereads77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chapmanoid's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-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
4.0
sarah_sunshine9's review against another edition
mysterious
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? Yes
2.75
nushi29's review against another edition
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
degroot_maartje's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
novellaofmon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I was hesitant going into this. I generally don't read this genre, in fact, I typically don't care for this genre. I also hate, and I mean, passionately despise long chapters. It irked me even more the fact that it didn't even have chapter numbers. Yet, my father bought me this book, and he was excited for me to read it. He said, "Mon, the show is just so good and I've heard the book is supposed to be brilliant!" so I put my book-icks aside, took a deep breath and dove head first into one the greatest stories ever written.
I can't even decide at what point I fell in love with this book or when I fell in love with Eli, with Gus, with Slim, with Lyle. I thought I hated Lyle but then I loved Lyle because Eli loved Lyle and then Caitlyn Spies was, too, the most beautiful woman I could imagine because Eli described her so.
The writing is incomparable. Or maybe I've read a lot of shit books in my life. Eli's voice. Eli's voice is burned into my mind. I can't comprehend how well this book is written. I can't comprehend the fact that Dalton made me fall in love with a book from a genre I hate. I can't comprehend how Dalton tied in every little detail from beginning through to end, and everything came so perfectly full circle. His writing flows and moves and carries you through the world of a thirteen year old boy and all of a sudden you find yourself sitting beside Eli in each one of his adventures, his plans and its all so magical without it ever feeling like fantasy.
The way Dalton bends time and works the past into the present through his writing astounds me. I am astonished by the fact that everything about this writing style was as though it was written by the main character himself. Like truly written by Eli himself. Each page was Eli through and through!
I couldn't pick a favourite quote. I had too many. Too many favourite passages. Too many favourite chapters. Dalton made me laugh. Dalton made me cry. Dalton made me feel hope.
jrmarr's review against another edition
3.0
I feel quite in the minority in my response to this book. I felt it was a bit too long, trying a bit too hard to be clever, and a bit too unbelievable. I quite like otherworldly or mystical themes, but I just couldn't fall into it like I have with other books. The positives were good though: I really loved some of the central relationships, and it was a comfort to know that MOST people were trying to live as good a life as they could, but the 'bad' people were a bit caricature-ish. All in all, I'm not sure what the fuss is about, and wouldn't mind talking with someone who loved it to get their perspective!