lantheaume's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Gun violence
emma97louise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Violence
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
However, I enjoyed the reflective wisdom of the main character and the history we get to experience along with him. It was fun to see notable historical figures pop into and out of his life, but I especially liked that the people who had the biggest impact on him were just regular people: his family, his friends, his coworkers, etc. The main thread that binds together, all the many arcs of Tom's story is love, and it was lovely to see him come to that conclusion.
My other quibble with the novel is that the story kind of just ends, and the miniature epilogue was a bit too cheesy/cliché for my taste.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Outing
froggydanny's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
tomnoor's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
kay_w's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Colonisation, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War and Panic attacks/disorders
chellemerrill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Death of parent, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Colonisation, and Suicidal thoughts
lilym_p's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Pregnancy, and Murder
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug abuse, War, Blood, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual harassment
introverted_reads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Cursing, Death, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Suicide, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Colonisation, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and War
josbooknook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Everything is going to be all right. Or, if not, everything is going to be, so let’s not worry. (325)
This book came at such a good time for me. Not only is it fun, adventurous, and entertaining, but it is also incredibly inspirational and comforted me right now in a time of uncertainty.
Adventure takes places over centuries, and we get to follow our protagonist who goes by many names through time and history itself. Needless to say, his many centuries alive have taught him some much needed wisdom.
This book felt like a warm hug to me. It told me that it is okay to not know the future, and that only anticipating the future your whole life is not really living. I think I needed to hear that message now more than ever. Thank you for your beautiful words of wisdom, Matt Haig.
Minor: Colonisation and Fire/Fire injury