A review by eveningreverie
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard

emotional hopeful mysterious 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

5.0

Was a good choice, is a good choice, will be a good choice. This is a truly amazing book with a unique concept and spectacular execution. I had no idea what to expect going into Odile's story, but the mastery with which Scott Alexander Howard navigates the atmosphere of youth and one's middle age is impeccable. Every bit of prose is wonderful (with the exception of like... one overexplained metaphor in the entire book), characters are believable and so, so lovable, and—while I expected it to be more of a deus ex machina—the ending was basically perfect in every way. Inspiring, impactful, tear-jerking, and wonderfully constructed and written; The Other Valley is unlike anything else I've read in recent memory.
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