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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
dnf for now, I will come back to it soon
emotional
reflective
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
I enjoyed this book immensely, the main character read autistic coded to me and I completely sympathized with her thoughts and actions. The story kept surprising me even in its end that you guess/hope for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Alcohol
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This one is a quick read at a slow pace. Philosophical and quiet, The Other Valley is like no other time travel story I have ever encountered.
The premise of identical, infinite valleys, each one to the east exactly 20 years in the future, the ones to the west 20 years in the past, all living simultaneously is fascinating to me. To time travel, all you have to do is walk across the mountains to the next valley. Of course, travel is heavily restricted and reserved for grieving applicants.
If I haven't lost you yet, this book held me captive for a whole day. As soon as I finished, I went back to the beginning and started again, more slowly this time.
I loved his writing. He's straightforward and philosophical at the same time, with several layers to work through that I enjoyed more deeply on the second reading. He explores themes of grief, ambition, and why we choose the things we do through one of the most human characters I have ever read. Odile is no heroine. She is clever and quiet, a bit of an outcast, insecure, and pragmatic. She isn't exactly likeable, but she is very relatable. I understood her.
The book feels very similar to Lois Lowry's The Giver in atmosphere. Except, this unnamed lakeside town is not a dystopia. It's a fairly stable little place, with no real government, guided by a Conseil and folklore. (The author uses French words to invite us into a space that is Other, but could also be close to home. It's very effective, I think.) Their way of life is structured and liveable.
If you are looking for extensive world building--What is to the north and south? What about weather?--prepare to be disappointed. This is not sci-fi time travel. Time travel is merely a vehicle to explore aspects of human nature. After all, no technology is required to cross time. Just your own feet.
I loved it. I can see myself reading this one over and over and over, honestly. It's rich and layered enough for multiple readings, but the story is simple enough for a satisfying single read. If you like hypothetical scenarios, philosophical writing, and a melancholy feel, you might like this one.
The premise of identical, infinite valleys, each one to the east exactly 20 years in the future, the ones to the west 20 years in the past, all living simultaneously is fascinating to me. To time travel, all you have to do is walk across the mountains to the next valley. Of course, travel is heavily restricted and reserved for grieving applicants.
If I haven't lost you yet, this book held me captive for a whole day. As soon as I finished, I went back to the beginning and started again, more slowly this time.
I loved his writing. He's straightforward and philosophical at the same time, with several layers to work through that I enjoyed more deeply on the second reading. He explores themes of grief, ambition, and why we choose the things we do through one of the most human characters I have ever read. Odile is no heroine. She is clever and quiet, a bit of an outcast, insecure, and pragmatic. She isn't exactly likeable, but she is very relatable. I understood her.
The book feels very similar to Lois Lowry's The Giver in atmosphere. Except, this unnamed lakeside town is not a dystopia. It's a fairly stable little place, with no real government, guided by a Conseil and folklore. (The author uses French words to invite us into a space that is Other, but could also be close to home. It's very effective, I think.) Their way of life is structured and liveable.
If you are looking for extensive world building--What is to the north and south? What about weather?--prepare to be disappointed. This is not sci-fi time travel. Time travel is merely a vehicle to explore aspects of human nature. After all, no technology is required to cross time. Just your own feet.
I loved it. I can see myself reading this one over and over and over, honestly. It's rich and layered enough for multiple readings, but the story is simple enough for a satisfying single read. If you like hypothetical scenarios, philosophical writing, and a melancholy feel, you might like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
No