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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
An extraordinary novel about humanity, memories, and personality - a question about what makes a person themselves, and how complicated that can be. A lyrical, devastating, hopeful novel based around memory and the human condition.
The book followed several different storylines - Noor, Finn & Miranda, William, Oscar, and Mei. Each character is vivid and distinct, which makes it easy to follow who's who. They also have a variety of issues, and some of them make you feel their confusion more aptly than others (Oscar's story is a trip). Some endings are hopeful, and some are tragic.
My only critique is that I was waiting for a reveal about one of the characters that never happened, and I think it would have made a lot of sense. Probably would have bogged down the story too much.
I also really liked the distinct shout-out to Eternal Sunshine.
The book followed several different storylines - Noor, Finn & Miranda, William, Oscar, and Mei. Each character is vivid and distinct, which makes it easy to follow who's who. They also have a variety of issues, and some of them make you feel their confusion more aptly than others (Oscar's story is a trip). Some endings are hopeful, and some are tragic.
My only critique is that I was waiting for a reveal about one of the characters that never happened, and I think it would have made a lot of sense. Probably would have bogged down the story too much.
I also really liked the distinct shout-out to Eternal Sunshine.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Even though the whole plot device of Nepenthe having to tell everyone they got a memory deleted is super implausible (far more likely you ask and they tell you if you're wondering), I can't believe this is a debut novel. It covered so many different themes and was well told and diverse.
I think the Noor character, despite being Arabic, was written like a white character that just happened to be Arabic though
I think the Noor character, despite being Arabic, was written like a white character that just happened to be Arabic though
Maybe I missed something in listening to the audiobook rather than reading, but I really didn’t feel there was any payoff in reading this. I thought there was going to be some reveal in the end that would tie it all together. But no, it ended pretty much the way we all knew it would from the beginning. I didn’t particularly enjoy any of the characters. This one just didn’t do it for me. I liked the idea of memory removal, though. I do it in an instant if it was possible.
I have to give up on this one. Interesting concept but I just couldn’t get into it.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
This was definitely an interesting thought process. Having a company and science available where you can have any memory removed... Then find out if you wanted to you could restore that memory? But you don't know what that memory was. Would you do it? That is very interesting. This was very much character driven. A little tense, and had multiple POVs. It is very fascinating and you'll need to check triggers if you are a sensitive reader. It was dark in some parts. I definitely enjoyed it and recommend it to those who enjoy a novel that really makes you question what you would do.
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
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
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was devastating. There is so much to think about… so many questions. What is morality? Who decides what constitutes harm? How implicated is an individual in collective wrongdoing? The weight of the last decisions of the characters is so heavy. The ambiguous ending fits the book well, I think. This is one of those books that after finishing, I just had to sit and stare at a wall for awhile. There are no easy answers for the questions the book poses. But that’s the point, isn’t it?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Car accident
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes