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bcasey94's review
5.0
Absolutely STUNNING. Just wow. Tackles all of life’s big questions and then some.
meeklovestoread's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Not gonna lie, I've never heard of this book a day in my life. Someone special to me recommended it so of course I was going to follow up on their request. It's crazy how different my initial thoughts on this story were and how it is now.
At first, I didn't really understand what was going on (with the whole humanity thing in the beginning). And I wasn't too keen on the writing style. I felt like the author conveyed Elliot's inner thoughts too maturely instead of making them more egoistic and juvenile. Like how an actual child would think. And overall, I didn't like how formal the writing was but I think that's a me thing considering it's been a while since I've read a literary fiction piece.
However, after the 25% mark, it is kinda growing on me. I like the concept of Jollis and Merriam being "workers of humanity". I came to enjoy the empty space and the checkmarks thing. I think the magical realism element of the book is a really cool concept. I just wish it intertwined with Elliot's story more rather than being its own venture (this is what I thought after 25%). However, now that I've finished the book I most definitely see what the author was going for.
After the 25%, I also started to feel a little for Elliot. His family is super neglectful which is I think is probably one of the determinants as to why he connected to "the monsters" and the "Neverene" book so much. And, in my opinion, the book only gets better once we reach his adult years. I loved every single second of it. We don't get a lot of backstory on the side characters but that doesn't mean they didn't have much impact on the story. On the contrary actually, because I loved them and their interactions with Elliot. As you read along you can clearly see the themes the author is trying to reach as well as the commentary he includes about life and death and emotions and "if life is worth it?" This book really tugs on your heartstrings (I teared up many times) and really makes you think about how arcane the concept of human life is and the internal and external elements that make us who we are. This book is heavily underrated and I hope more people start reading it in the future because it's most definitely worth your time.
At first, I didn't really understand what was going on (with the whole humanity thing in the beginning). And I wasn't too keen on the writing style. I felt like the author conveyed Elliot's inner thoughts too maturely instead of making them more egoistic and juvenile. Like how an actual child would think. And overall, I didn't like how formal the writing was but I think that's a me thing considering it's been a while since I've read a literary fiction piece.
However, after the 25% mark, it is kinda growing on me. I like the concept of Jollis and Merriam being "workers of humanity". I came to enjoy the empty space and the checkmarks thing. I think the magical realism element of the book is a really cool concept. I just wish it intertwined with Elliot's story more rather than being its own venture (this is what I thought after 25%). However, now that I've finished the book I most definitely see what the author was going for.
After the 25%, I also started to feel a little for Elliot. His family is super neglectful which is I think is probably one of the determinants as to why he connected to "the monsters" and the "Neverene" book so much. And, in my opinion, the book only gets better once we reach his adult years. I loved every single second of it. We don't get a lot of backstory on the side characters but that doesn't mean they didn't have much impact on the story. On the contrary actually, because I loved them and their interactions with Elliot. As you read along you can clearly see the themes the author is trying to reach as well as the commentary he includes about life and death and emotions and "if life is worth it?" This book really tugs on your heartstrings (I teared up many times) and really makes you think about how arcane the concept of human life is and the internal and external elements that make us who we are. This book is heavily underrated and I hope more people start reading it in the future because it's most definitely worth your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
nvrgud's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
qkitten's review
1.0
It is rare that I start a book and don't finish it, because even if I don't like it I want to know what happens for some kind of closure. This book however I made myself get over half way but I could not read further. I don't find anything about the character or the story to be interesting it just feels like a narrative of things that happened with no emotional "hook" for me.
cris124's review
4.0
The emptiness in our heart is what make us try to fill it with something, making us eager to try different things. Sometimes it can be just a vague sensation, and other times, it can be so immense that it sanks you
caitlyn888's review
4.0
This is a thought provoking book about the meaning of life, to summarize it broadly. I appreciated that the author approached suicide and suicidal thoughts from a matter-of-fact stance, though I also realize this could be extremely triggering or upsetting to other people. Overall I thought the writing was thoughtful and almost poetic, in a way.
samflower94's review
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Somehow a very sad topic doesn’t leave you feeling so unhappy. An interesting perspective on a bigger picture of human life interspersed with some very relatable characters down on earth
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide
The whole book is centered on the overarching concept of human life, and why it’s worth living (or leaving). This is quite frequently explored through the topic of suicide, however the greater picture feels more important to the overarching meaning. My takeaway wasn’t that I just read a book about suicide, but rather one with a unique perspective on the meaning of life.pminkler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-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? Yes
4.75
elise_ngzy's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0