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A review by raesengele
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As much as I enjoyed this book and Benjamin Alire Sáenz's writing, I'm not entirely sure what happened with this one. His writing seems to have taken a bit of a dip compared to his adult novels/short stories. Not that it's bad, don't get me wrong, just not what I'm used to seeing from him. The language is very simplistic with some unnecessary repetition. For instance, on page 5:
And her shoes? Sandals. Sandals? I waited all this time for a pair of sandals she bought at Target?
"Great day," she said, all smiles and enthusiasm.
"Sandals?" I said. "That's what I was waiting for?"
It would have come across just the same if the first bit had simply been, "And her shoes? Sandals." then moved into the dialogue from there. It's nitpicky, I know, but with how simple the language was little things like that just kept standing out.
Other than that, it's beautifully written the way Sáenz's books always are. Quiet and contemplative, exploring human nature through the small mundane moments of life. So, great book, just linguistically not his best.
And her shoes? Sandals. Sandals? I waited all this time for a pair of sandals she bought at Target?
"Great day," she said, all smiles and enthusiasm.
"Sandals?" I said. "That's what I was waiting for?"
It would have come across just the same if the first bit had simply been, "And her shoes? Sandals." then moved into the dialogue from there. It's nitpicky, I know, but with how simple the language was little things like that just kept standing out.
Other than that, it's beautifully written the way Sáenz's books always are. Quiet and contemplative, exploring human nature through the small mundane moments of life. So, great book, just linguistically not his best.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Violence, Terminal illness, Death, and Cancer
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Racism, and Addiction
This is absolutely a book about loss and grief even if the characters are each in a better place by the end.