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A review by adw7984
Возможная жизнь by Sebastian Faulks, Себастьян Фолкс
1.0
This novel is told in a series of 5 short stories. They are supposed to be linked in some way, but I found it easier to read each story as a separate entity, because a couple of the stories were terribly hard to read (for me).
Geoffrey (1938): Unfortunately, the very first story in the book was so incredibly dull and hard to read that I had no hopes for the rest of the books. I don’t know what about this story bored me, perhaps the time period isn’t my favorite? However, I just couldn’t connect with this story.
Billy (1859): Billy, however, was a beautifully written story. It was heartbreaking in different ways throughout. Billy and Alice’s story broke my heart, and I truly felt for Alice, yet I never felt angry at Billy for being with Nancy. This story also contains a quote that really struck a chord with me: “I don’t think you ever understand your life - not till it’s finished and probably not then either. The more I live the less I seem to understand.” (page 111). Isn’t that the truth?! This story truly stands on it’s own two legs, if you will, and is a beautiful piece of literature.
Elena (2029): I expected this story to feel out of place. The setting is set in the future, while the others take place in the past. However, it fit in nicely, even if it was a tad icky (technical term). Even before the mini-twist, I was grossed out by Elena and Bruno, the adopted siblings, sleeping together. Then after the twist, I wanted to throw up. If I avoid that part of the story, it was actually very interesting and Elena was a great, yet lonely, character. One thing that did shock me was that the future seemed so bleak. Maybe that isn’t the right word, but when her father died because the town only had one ambulance and it was on another call…that isn’t what I would expect from the future. It was an interesting take on the future, and one I haven’t read before.
Jeanne (1822): Jeanne offered a brief story, but it too carried a theme of loneliness. I felt so sad for her, she offered herself for her whole life and I just felt so much loneliness from her even though she was surrounded by people. While it wasn’t my favorite story, it had nice flow and was quick to read.
Anya (1971): This one felt wildly out of place to me. As a story, it was just okay but not my favorite.
Overall, this was interesting for me. There were three stories that I really enjoyed and two that did nothing for me. Also, I didn’t see the connection, so maybe I missed the larger picture. However, I am more interested in reading some of his other books.
*This book was provided for review on Confessions of a Bookaholic. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Geoffrey (1938): Unfortunately, the very first story in the book was so incredibly dull and hard to read that I had no hopes for the rest of the books. I don’t know what about this story bored me, perhaps the time period isn’t my favorite? However, I just couldn’t connect with this story.
Billy (1859): Billy, however, was a beautifully written story. It was heartbreaking in different ways throughout. Billy and Alice’s story broke my heart, and I truly felt for Alice, yet I never felt angry at Billy for being with Nancy. This story also contains a quote that really struck a chord with me: “I don’t think you ever understand your life - not till it’s finished and probably not then either. The more I live the less I seem to understand.” (page 111). Isn’t that the truth?! This story truly stands on it’s own two legs, if you will, and is a beautiful piece of literature.
Elena (2029): I expected this story to feel out of place. The setting is set in the future, while the others take place in the past. However, it fit in nicely, even if it was a tad icky (technical term). Even before the mini-twist, I was grossed out by Elena and Bruno, the adopted siblings, sleeping together. Then after the twist, I wanted to throw up. If I avoid that part of the story, it was actually very interesting and Elena was a great, yet lonely, character. One thing that did shock me was that the future seemed so bleak. Maybe that isn’t the right word, but when her father died because the town only had one ambulance and it was on another call…that isn’t what I would expect from the future. It was an interesting take on the future, and one I haven’t read before.
Jeanne (1822): Jeanne offered a brief story, but it too carried a theme of loneliness. I felt so sad for her, she offered herself for her whole life and I just felt so much loneliness from her even though she was surrounded by people. While it wasn’t my favorite story, it had nice flow and was quick to read.
Anya (1971): This one felt wildly out of place to me. As a story, it was just okay but not my favorite.
Overall, this was interesting for me. There were three stories that I really enjoyed and two that did nothing for me. Also, I didn’t see the connection, so maybe I missed the larger picture. However, I am more interested in reading some of his other books.
*This book was provided for review on Confessions of a Bookaholic. All thoughts and opinions are my own.