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pagesofkim's review against another edition
4.0
Initially, I didn't care much for this book. As I continued to read, though, I developed mixed feelings for it and ended up liking it. I didn't really like the fish references... I felt it cast a dark shadow on the book in some way. It was like I just wanted to get through those parts really quickly so I could get back to the story. I also wasn't a fan of the author not using quotation marks.
I give this book 4 stars, because the last half of the book kept me entwined in Caitlyn's story. At times, I wanted to reach into the book and choke her mother! What a wreck! This book takes the reader through a roller coaster of emotions and I still can't stop thinking about it.
I give this book 4 stars, because the last half of the book kept me entwined in Caitlyn's story. At times, I wanted to reach into the book and choke her mother! What a wreck! This book takes the reader through a roller coaster of emotions and I still can't stop thinking about it.
carolyn0613's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great book for the YA reader. The characters are interesting and well written and the story is gritty and real.
wkmiller's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
apol27's review against another edition
5.0
wow. this book just became more powerful with each page. the story seems so easy and innocent to start, then turns so raw and brutal, the characters so real you can feel them.
thestoryowl's review against another edition
4.0
I was very impressed with the depth of the characters and I felt the familial relationships were well treated. A heavy subject matter treated well for teens looking for drama.
esshgee's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars. This has quite a different feel to his other books, although the theme of family discord and violence is still prominent. I like David Vann's writing very much, even though it is incredibly confronting and thought provoking at times. He has a beautiful turn of phrase, and I found the descriptions of the fish in the aquarium just wonderful.
purduerx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
Dark and haunting, redemptive and encouraging--this novel, aquariums, and life in general. As a whole it makes a great case for the ultra extended metaphor, and I think Vann pulls it off with aplomb. I felt worried throughout, and unsure, and very wary of everyone--much as Caitlin did. I appreciated that it was also an extended flashback and that the moments of reflection were woven in authentically. The choice to take out punctuation for dialogue was perfect, then. It is also a beautiful physical book--heavy paper with sheen, color images of fish, and the first letter of each chapter larger and in color.
hlansley's review against another edition
5.0
“Origins... They don’t explain us, you know. They never do. Each of us is our own piece of work.”
Ever since I heard about this book I knew I had to pick it up, and I'm so glad I did, as it has become my favourite book of this year so far! This book really is a stunning piece of work! Not just because of the deep, raw story, but also because of the illustrations of fish, scattered throughout the book. These really lighten the story, as without them I feel you could become stuck in the darker setting of the book. I can't wait to get my hands on another of David Vann's books, as this was the first that I've read by him and to say I'm blown away is an understatement! Aquarium left me with a serious book hangover, and I'm excited to read another of his works. Check out my blog post... https://bookishmisadventures.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/aquarium
Ever since I heard about this book I knew I had to pick it up, and I'm so glad I did, as it has become my favourite book of this year so far! This book really is a stunning piece of work! Not just because of the deep, raw story, but also because of the illustrations of fish, scattered throughout the book. These really lighten the story, as without them I feel you could become stuck in the darker setting of the book. I can't wait to get my hands on another of David Vann's books, as this was the first that I've read by him and to say I'm blown away is an understatement! Aquarium left me with a serious book hangover, and I'm excited to read another of his works. Check out my blog post... https://bookishmisadventures.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/aquarium