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mmayern's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and War
greciamj1958's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Grief, and War
mcrippen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
bek_p87's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
I honestly think this is one of the most perfect novels I've ever read. No notes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War
elynn726's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
books_and_fairy_lights's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
"What I want, what I've always truly wanted, is for someone to remember me."
Addie wants to live. She wants to live and to love and to be seen. To be remembered. Henry is afraid of time passing, of having no control over it. Decisions overwhelm him and so he stands still - but that also overwhelms him and life just feels too much.
I could relate to both, on different levels. I think something this book does really well is that it speaks to our hopes and fears, the very human experience of feeling the passing of time and wondering if one really makes enough or the right thing out of it, as you never know when you'll run out of minutes.
Although some of the story was quite predictable, it still unfolded quite nicely, and wrapped up in an ending that made sense. It was really nice to see the story unfold as it does, past mixed with present. I loved discovering New York (are any of those experiences real?). I loved to read about a girl who marvels at the beauty of the world, heart full of excitement as she experiences something new - as there is always new things to experience. If anything, I suppose this book tries to tell you that there is always something worth living for (and that no matter what it is, it is enough).
The writing was good, I want to say kind of common or at least it fit my expectation for a contemporary bestseller - good but not exceptional, predictably pleasing and sometimes a little too obviously so.
I'll get passed the streaks of toxicity sometimes romanticized (especially between Addie and Luc) because tbh what reader (at least of this kind of book), while disapproving of it, also doesn't sigh in pleasure at the idea of being wanted. Well, it's just a thought I guess.
I also did quite enjoy the half discrete representation of different queernesses, especially bisexuality (way too often overlooked for gays/lesbians) (one could argue it is in the end a relationship between a cis man and a cis woman, but both of them are effortlessly (or obviously?) presented as queer/fluid in their sexuality) - anyway, without trying to overanalyze it, it was quite pleasant to read and to see.
Overall a good read, once again a book that ended up in my hands in a time in my life that feels quite right for it. And definitely a good way to start the year.
Addie wants to live. She wants to live and to love and to be seen. To be remembered. Henry is afraid of time passing, of having no control over it. Decisions overwhelm him and so he stands still - but that also overwhelms him and life just feels too much.
I could relate to both, on different levels. I think something this book does really well is that it speaks to our hopes and fears, the very human experience of feeling the passing of time and wondering if one really makes enough or the right thing out of it, as you never know when you'll run out of minutes.
Although some of the story was quite predictable, it still unfolded quite nicely, and wrapped up in an ending that made sense. It was really nice to see the story unfold as it does, past mixed with present. I loved discovering New York (are any of those experiences real?). I loved to read about a girl who marvels at the beauty of the world, heart full of excitement as she experiences something new - as there is always new things to experience. If anything, I suppose this book tries to tell you that there is always something worth living for (and that no matter what it is, it is enough).
The writing was good, I want to say kind of common or at least it fit my expectation for a contemporary bestseller - good but not exceptional, predictably pleasing and sometimes a little too obviously so.
I'll get passed the streaks of toxicity sometimes romanticized (especially between Addie and Luc) because tbh what reader (at least of this kind of book), while disapproving of it, also doesn't sigh in pleasure at the idea of being wanted. Well, it's just a thought I guess.
I also did quite enjoy the half discrete representation of different queernesses, especially bisexuality (way too often overlooked for gays/lesbians) (one could argue it is in the end a relationship between a cis man and a cis woman, but both of them are effortlessly (or obviously?) presented as queer/fluid in their sexuality) - anyway, without trying to overanalyze it, it was quite pleasant to read and to see.
Overall a good read, once again a book that ended up in my hands in a time in my life that feels quite right for it. And definitely a good way to start the year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
neverlandingonabook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Alcohol
parfait52's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book barely has a plot. It is almost entirely a character study that then adds an additional smaller character study later on. If the writing were not as effortless and beautiful as it is, I probably wouldn't have finished this book. It was kind of tedious to read through over 400 pages of exposition and flashbacks and ponderings. The plot points that do exist are all very predictable and played out, so there wasn't really anything there to tantalize or excite. And I also can't exactly tell if this banal disappointment betrayed the book's themes or exemplified them. The characters were all fairly interesting and likeable and real (within the setting), with Henry being a personal highlight for me.
If you enjoy reading gorgeous, languid writing that feels almost burdensome at times, with some insightful peeks into the mind of an unfortunate soul, this is the book for you. If you enjoy a clear plot with characters that are revealed through actions instead of long ramblings, this is not the book for you. Ultimately, I am glad that I read this book but I probably wouldn't want to do it again. Kind of like life itself.
If you enjoy reading gorgeous, languid writing that feels almost burdensome at times, with some insightful peeks into the mind of an unfortunate soul, this is the book for you. If you enjoy a clear plot with characters that are revealed through actions instead of long ramblings, this is not the book for you. Ultimately, I am glad that I read this book but I probably wouldn't want to do it again. Kind of like life itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Grief, Stalking, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
cturn's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Child death, Mental illness, and Sexual content
sapuri123's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness