A review by krissysbooked
Isaac and the Egg by Bobby Palmer

challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

 Content warnings: grief, death, suicide, depression. 

I know this book is everywhere right now... but it's beautiful so you now have to deal with my gushing about it as well. I was also approved for this on Netgalley quite a while ago but I had a blip in my reading and only just got around to listening to it recently. 

The beginning of the story throws you in at the deep end with the main character, Isaac (who would have guessed), trying to die by suicide. But something stops him, a noise from somewhere nearby. He follows this noise until he discovers what looks like an egg and on further inspection realises it's quite fluffy for an egg. The 'egg' emits strange sounds and shocked by his discovery Isaac abandons his plan and takes the 'egg' home. 
I am so glad that I opted for the audiobook version of this. Johnny Flynn has a smooth warm voice that is like being wrapped in your favourite blanket and snuggled up on the sofa. It makes me think of reading a bedtime story with a parent or grandparent as a child. His voice draws you in intimately to the story and then makes you jump out of your skin halfway down the road when he does the creature noises (sorry spoiler, it's not an 'egg'). You now look like a weirdo in public! But those creature noises are excellent. 

The combination of Bobby Palmers world building and intimate tale of grief, coupled with Johnny Flynn's comforting narration, made me wish the story wouldn't end. The story was hilarious, sad, and confusing, all at the same time, perfectly mimicking the rollercoaster that grief and loss can cause in its aftermath. 

I'm honestly tearing up just writing this right now but I don't know how best to convey the strong emotions and love this story made me feel whilst listening, and clearly still makes me feel 2 weeks after I finished. 

As the weather is now starting to turn autumnal here in the UK this is the perfect book, print or audio, to be curled up with. Give in to the hype! 
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