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carol_c26's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
I liked this book and at times it even made me giggle to watch Edward grow up. It wasn't life changing or thought provoking but it was quite sweet
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Child death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
aliciaallen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy and Miscarriage
lynnerd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
I put off logging that I finished this book because that would mean it's really over 😂😭
Definitely has "If I Stay" vibes.... just in a different flavor. Perhaps a flavor I prefer?
But you can't just tell me Edward used to love playing the piano and then never mention it again!! That's my only problem with the book!! Tell me he played the piano again! I'm in a g o n y
I 100% will reread this book (maybe even this year) and already know I'll think about it all the time. Mostly likely when I'm on a plane dang flabbit. I can't quit you!
Definitely has "If I Stay" vibes.... just in a different flavor. Perhaps a flavor I prefer?
I 100% will reread this book (maybe even this year) and already know I'll think about it all the time. Mostly likely when I'm on a plane dang flabbit. I can't quit you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
motherbooker's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I had high hopes for this book. Having read the synopsis, I was ready for this book to leave me an emotional wreck. Based on a couple of real-life events, <em>Dear Edward</em> tells the story of Edward Adler, the sole survivor of a plane crash. The event turns Edward's life upside down. He moves in with his aunt and uncle and has to adapt to life without his parents and older brother. At the same time, the world is watching Edward. He is the miracle boy who defied death. Though his guardians try to keep him safe from everything surrounding the crash, Edward discovers some secrets that change his perspective. Can this young man ever get his head around what happened to him?
First off, I've never been a fan of books that switch between the past and present. <em>Dear Edward</em> flips between the events leading to the crash and Edward's life afterwards. I'm sure that Ann Napolitano had her reasons for this, possibly to show that Edward wasn't ready to address the crash yet. However, I just thought it ruined the pace and tone of the book. Instead of being an emotional and character-driven story, it felt as though she was trying to add a mystery element. I doubt anybody picked this book up wondering why the plane crashed? I don't see why it deserved a big reveal.
Although I did appreciate the chance to get to know the characters on the plane, I think it could have been done differently. The whole narrative just felt a bit fragmented and you never really get the chance to deal with the emotional weight of it all. Yes, you get to meet the young woman who finds out that she's pregnant but then you move on to someone else. You learn about these people but I still don't think that they have enough depth for you to connect with them.
Meaning that I felt an absence of despair when reading this. I understand that there is no right way to deal with grief, so I didn't mind that Edward's response was a bit cold. However, I do wish that I had been more emotionally invested in the story. The only aspect of this book that made me cry was the issues faced by Edward's Aunt and Uncle. The relationship between the three of them was interesting and I wish there had been more time for it. A fact that is odd considering how slow-paced this book was. It just seemed to go on forever but there was such a small amount of depth to it.
In the grand scheme of things, <em>Dear Edward</em> isn't a bad book but I found it disappointing. It took a long time for Edward's story to get going. Then there was the fact that every time it did, we got pulled out of it by the other narrative. This book contains a lot of clinical detail about planes and what caused the crash. However, it lacked an emotional connection to any of the characters. This was a book guaranteed to leave me in tears but it just didn't. It's not that Edward needed to be an emotional wreck but the reader did need to be more connected to his journey. Napolitano is so far removed from the emotions that it reads more like non-fiction.
First off, I've never been a fan of books that switch between the past and present. <em>Dear Edward</em> flips between the events leading to the crash and Edward's life afterwards. I'm sure that Ann Napolitano had her reasons for this, possibly to show that Edward wasn't ready to address the crash yet. However, I just thought it ruined the pace and tone of the book. Instead of being an emotional and character-driven story, it felt as though she was trying to add a mystery element. I doubt anybody picked this book up wondering why the plane crashed? I don't see why it deserved a big reveal.
Although I did appreciate the chance to get to know the characters on the plane, I think it could have been done differently. The whole narrative just felt a bit fragmented and you never really get the chance to deal with the emotional weight of it all. Yes, you get to meet the young woman who finds out that she's pregnant but then you move on to someone else. You learn about these people but I still don't think that they have enough depth for you to connect with them.
Meaning that I felt an absence of despair when reading this. I understand that there is no right way to deal with grief, so I didn't mind that Edward's response was a bit cold. However, I do wish that I had been more emotionally invested in the story. The only aspect of this book that made me cry was the issues faced by Edward's Aunt and Uncle. The relationship between the three of them was interesting and I wish there had been more time for it. A fact that is odd considering how slow-paced this book was. It just seemed to go on forever but there was such a small amount of depth to it.
In the grand scheme of things, <em>Dear Edward</em> isn't a bad book but I found it disappointing. It took a long time for Edward's story to get going. Then there was the fact that every time it did, we got pulled out of it by the other narrative. This book contains a lot of clinical detail about planes and what caused the crash. However, it lacked an emotional connection to any of the characters. This was a book guaranteed to leave me in tears but it just didn't. It's not that Edward needed to be an emotional wreck but the reader did need to be more connected to his journey. Napolitano is so far removed from the emotions that it reads more like non-fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child death
Moderate: Death
crabbytaco's review against another edition
reflective
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? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
summer_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content
mollywill's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Homophobia
velsbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
I wasn't sure if I would be able to read this book, since I have fear of flying. We had some pretty bad turbulences back in 2010 and I have been on a plane only once after that. But do not worry, there is nothing to fear in my opinion.
The book is beautifully written and it was a pleasure to follow Edward on his journey after the crash. I also enjoyed the chapters introducing characters who were also on the plane. Everyone seemed like a realistic person you can eventually meet at some point in your life. Everyone had their own little story to tell.
My favourite moments of the book were meeting Gary in the parking lot and the end of part 2. Those moments really got me.
Overall it was an amazing read and I'm pretty sure I will keep the story in my mind for quite some time. It was a beautiful story and yet so sad and I can't recommend enough to give this book a go!
The book is beautifully written and it was a pleasure to follow Edward on his journey after the crash. I also enjoyed the chapters introducing characters who were also on the plane. Everyone seemed like a realistic person you can eventually meet at some point in your life. Everyone had their own little story to tell.
My favourite moments of the book were meeting Gary in the parking lot and the end of part 2. Those moments really got me.
Overall it was an amazing read and I'm pretty sure I will keep the story in my mind for quite some time. It was a beautiful story and yet so sad and I can't recommend enough to give this book a go!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Child death
penelopehark's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The writing is excellent, it really describes the inner turmoil of Edward and those around him. Hearing about all of the hopes and dreams each minor character on the plane hurts even more when you know exactly what was going to happen.
I really liked the friendship between Edward and Shay but I don't believe making it romantic is exactly necessary...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Child death, Death, and Death of parent