Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
While at first hard to follow and get into, it turned into something quite engaging. Many very thought provoking questions were brought up and, if not answered, theorized in many ways. I can't say I am satisfied with the conclusion, as there was one major plot line left open ended, but I suppose that is quite the point of it all.
I'll also say it took me a bit longer to read because I kept stopping to look up terms and references and getting lost in the rabbit hole of ideas. I did like that it enticed me to learn some new things.
I'll also say it took me a bit longer to read because I kept stopping to look up terms and references and getting lost in the rabbit hole of ideas. I did like that it enticed me to learn some new things.
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A kin to American Gods by N.G. with an anything goes plot and unnecessary violence and gore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Suicide, Blood
Minor: Infertility, Cannibalism, Car accident
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I only finished this because it was a book group read. Interesting ideas but unnecessarily complicated language and I'm still not sure I really understood what happened. Needed more pig.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s a tough, slow read at times. The chapters alternate between 2 voices and in the beginning, it’s difficult to grasp what the plot is. About halfway through, I finally understood what was happening. The ending did not seem complete but I enjoyed the topics about change and life and death.
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A big thank you to Netgalley for letting me read and review this book.
The Book of Elsewhere is a big release since this is a collaboration of two massive names in their respective spheres - Keanu Reeves and China Miéville. This book was one that I've seen very divided reviews on, and I understand why.
The book centers around a character named B who, along with his 'brother', have the ability to be reborn every time they get killed. And they get killed a lot. It is told through multiple points of view, and the timeline jumps with each one. This does make the story a little bit harder to follow, and I don't recommend listening to the audiobook of this title (I did take a look at it), since each POV is voiced by another actor and it can get quite confusing.
Overall this book is not a bad book. It takes a look at different periods in history and how each of them reacted to these beings. It also explores how our society today would approach someone like this - either by studying them for science or using them as a tool for warfare. It also takes a look at what this being represents. And that's where the twist in this book comes in. The further you get into this book the more you see how the original purpose of something can be distorted with time and with retellings.
This book really is for the serious science fiction reader, and unfortunately I don't really fall into that category. Therefore this book was not really enjoyable for my own reading preference. I do think that it is a very good exploration of humankind and how we react to the other. It also does explore balance in the universe as well, which is a very interesting concept for a scifi book.
The Book of Elsewhere is a big release since this is a collaboration of two massive names in their respective spheres - Keanu Reeves and China Miéville. This book was one that I've seen very divided reviews on, and I understand why.
The book centers around a character named B who, along with his 'brother', have the ability to be reborn every time they get killed. And they get killed a lot. It is told through multiple points of view, and the timeline jumps with each one. This does make the story a little bit harder to follow, and I don't recommend listening to the audiobook of this title (I did take a look at it), since each POV is voiced by another actor and it can get quite confusing.
Overall this book is not a bad book. It takes a look at different periods in history and how each of them reacted to these beings. It also explores how our society today would approach someone like this - either by studying them for science or using them as a tool for warfare. It also takes a look at what this being represents. And that's where the twist in this book comes in. The further you get into this book the more you see how the original purpose of something can be distorted with time and with retellings.
This book really is for the serious science fiction reader, and unfortunately I don't really fall into that category. Therefore this book was not really enjoyable for my own reading preference. I do think that it is a very good exploration of humankind and how we react to the other. It also does explore balance in the universe as well, which is a very interesting concept for a scifi book.