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heartofhorrors's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Drug abuse, Racism, Addiction, and Death
spaghettireads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Death, Grief, Mental illness, and Dementia
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Car accident
Minor: Infertility
ashenlar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.0
A quick, fun read with book club. Probably not something I would've picked up in terms of writing style, but I'm glad to have read it for the hopeful and positive message overall, and very diverse characters.
I do think generally everything things either a bit too easy or obvious for plot progression (eg the first woman Hubert really meets ends up being the love of his life with a pretty blandly perfect relationship) - or twists that come too out of nowhere and don't really feel convincing (Rose's death)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Addiction, Mental illness, Racism, Grief, Racial slurs, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Death, and Drug use
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
this was very very similar to a man called ove, but with a twist. unsurprisingly, i loved it. it was a total cheese fest but if you’re okay with that, it’s really enjoyable and wholesome. there are also some darker themes which gives the book more substance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Car accident, Chronic illness, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Mental illness, Racism, Terminal illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
withlivjones's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
What I was expecting: a cute heartwarming little book about an old man getting strangers to pose as his friends so he doesn’t disappoint his daughter
What I got: an absolutely gutpunchingly sad (but still heartwarming) book that deals with themes of grief, life as an immigrant in the 20th century and today, racism, isolation, and both blood and found family.
The diverse range of colourful characters clearly demonstrates the book’s message that anyone of any age, race, or background can experience loneliness, and all it takes is a little effort to discover that we aren’t so different from each other after all. Although the “present day” in this book is set in 2018, this message is particularly poignant after the pandemic, which left so many people literally isolated from a community. Hubert is an extremely likeable protagonist, and his journey throughout the book, both in the present day and in the flashbacks to his younger years, is told in a genuine and heartfelt way that makes the reader sympathise with him even though he has his flaws. I’d be interested in what people who live or have lived in Bromley might say about the setting, and whether it is as much of a love letter to the area (both the good and bad parts of it) as it appears to be to someone who has only ever been there once.
I felt that the pacing of the second half of the book could have been drawn out more as so many major events happen in such a short space of time that it is quite overwhelming. The speed at which the campaign grows, in particular, could have definitely been slower for it to have been more realistic. The twist fully came out of left field for me, and I’m still slightly conflicted as to whether or not I liked it, but I think it would have been great to have had a little more space to process it before moving on.
Overall, this was not the book I was expecting but I am nonetheless very glad I read it.
What I got: an absolutely gutpunchingly sad (but still heartwarming) book that deals with themes of grief, life as an immigrant in the 20th century and today, racism, isolation, and both blood and found family.
The diverse range of colourful characters clearly demonstrates the book’s message that anyone of any age, race, or background can experience loneliness, and all it takes is a little effort to discover that we aren’t so different from each other after all. Although the “present day” in this book is set in 2018, this message is particularly poignant after the pandemic, which left so many people literally isolated from a community. Hubert is an extremely likeable protagonist, and his journey throughout the book, both in the present day and in the flashbacks to his younger years, is told in a genuine and heartfelt way that makes the reader sympathise with him even though he has his flaws. I’d be interested in what people who live or have lived in Bromley might say about the setting, and whether it is as much of a love letter to the area (both the good and bad parts of it) as it appears to be to someone who has only ever been there once.
I felt that the pacing of the second half of the book could have been drawn out more as so many major events happen in such a short space of time that it is quite overwhelming. The speed at which the campaign grows, in particular, could have definitely been slower for it to have been more realistic. The twist fully came out of left field for me, and I’m still slightly conflicted as to whether or not I liked it, but I think it would have been great to have had a little more space to process it before moving on.
Overall, this was not the book I was expecting but I am nonetheless very glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Racism
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Addiction, Dementia, and Racial slurs
Minor: Suicide, Infidelity, and Vomit
renes_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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: Dementia, Suicide, Death, Drug abuse, and Mental illness
morna's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I am so happy. I am so happy I'm finally done with this book.
I read it because it came recommended by someone who liked a lot of the same books I did. And after DNF-ing several other books this year, I tried my best to stick with it.
First, I ignored the poor writing.
Second, I ignored the complete and utter lack of any substance. I thought - well, let's just try to enjoy it as a light read.
By the time I realized I should have quit a long time ago I was so far in I wanted to see how the whole thing ended.
The writing is... it's not even mediocre, it's poor. The author clearly got inspired by A Man Called Ove (and possibly by Eleanor Oliphant) but forgot to actually make sense. What we end up with is just a string of short episodes with no logic between one another. Things happen, without ever being resolved. Things happen, without any relevance for the plot. Tons of unnecessary details. Pages of Hubert deciding whether or not he'll go out to get cat food (and you'd expect something amazing happens when he eventually does/doesn't, but no). An elaborate description of Jan ordering hot chocolate. Characters that disappear, but don't add any value to the story.
The characters lack any credibility. I would say the characters are very one-dimensional, but in truth - they're more zero-dimensional - they're often not even consistent with themselves. Their choices are odd. Their relationships are based on nothing.
And then you get towards the end and the big unexpected thing is revealed, and then it removes *any* rationale for the rest of the plot.
I've learned my lesson - I'd rather DNF fifty more books this year than sit through another one like this one.
If you want a story about a lonely old man and community - please read |A Man Called Ove.
If you want a story about a person unhealthily coping with their past - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is a decent book!
If you want a story about racism in London - may I suggest Girl, Woman, Other?
Might downscale the rating to 1 star later.
[Edit] Downscaled to 1 star. Really can't find any redeeming qualities to warrant 2.
I read it because it came recommended by someone who liked a lot of the same books I did. And after DNF-ing several other books this year, I tried my best to stick with it.
First, I ignored the poor writing.
Second, I ignored the complete and utter lack of any substance. I thought - well, let's just try to enjoy it as a light read.
By the time I realized I should have quit a long time ago I was so far in I wanted to see how the whole thing ended.
The writing is... it's not even mediocre, it's poor. The author clearly got inspired by A Man Called Ove (and possibly by Eleanor Oliphant) but forgot to actually make sense. What we end up with is just a string of short episodes with no logic between one another. Things happen, without ever being resolved. Things happen, without any relevance for the plot. Tons of unnecessary details. Pages of Hubert deciding whether or not he'll go out to get cat food (and you'd expect something amazing happens when he eventually does/doesn't, but no). An elaborate description of Jan ordering hot chocolate. Characters that disappear, but don't add any value to the story.
The characters lack any credibility. I would say the characters are very one-dimensional, but in truth - they're more zero-dimensional - they're often not even consistent with themselves. Their choices are odd. Their relationships are based on nothing.
And then you get towards the end and the big unexpected thing is revealed, and then it removes *any* rationale for the rest of the plot.
I've learned my lesson - I'd rather DNF fifty more books this year than sit through another one like this one.
If you want a story about a lonely old man and community - please read |A Man Called Ove.
If you want a story about a person unhealthily coping with their past - Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is a decent book!
If you want a story about racism in London - may I suggest Girl, Woman, Other?
Might downscale the rating to 1 star later.
[Edit] Downscaled to 1 star. Really can't find any redeeming qualities to warrant 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Child death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Dementia
Minor: Infidelity
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Hubert Bird is a dapper, elderly widower who was born and raised in Jamaica before immigrating to the U.K. as a young adult in 1958. When we meet him, he has shut himself off from the world, spinning stories of a vibrant life of retirement to satisfy his daughter Rose's expectations during their weekly phone calls. Cracks start to form in his isolation when he gets a friendly, chatty, persistent new neighbor and when he discovers that Rose will soon be visiting from Australia. As Hubert attempts to create the life he has been pretending to live, we see moments from his past that have led to the life he's living now — and that may empower the life he wants and needs.
An unexpectedly touching, well-crafted story of isolation, connection, love, and friendship. Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, The Reading List, and other stories of curmudgeonly elders opening their hearts and finding their communities.
An unexpectedly touching, well-crafted story of isolation, connection, love, and friendship. Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, The Reading List, and other stories of curmudgeonly elders opening their hearts and finding their communities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Terminal illness, Vomit, Addiction, Ableism, Alcohol, Death, Dementia, Medical content, Mental illness, Excrement, and Torture
Minor: Fatphobia, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
jjoyce's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I liked that this book was not exactly what I expected. In particular, Hubert's imagined conversations with Rose added a layer to the story and to his character that I appreciated and that I think made the story and the character more compelling. Not sure that it was quite as uplifting or heartwarming as I was hoping for, but that might be my own issue rather than a problem with the book itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, and Racism
Minor: Car accident
aimzthereader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book is pure magic. I need to come back and write more of a review but I want to capture my in the moment feelings which is happiness at the wonderfulness of thos book and the characters and the sadness that it’s over. I cried multiple times while reading this as well as had a myriad of other emotions. This is the type of book you want to hug and make everyone read it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Addiction, Alcohol, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Hate crime, and Dementia
Minor: Chronic illness, Medical content, Infertility, and Abandonment