Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

102 reviews

rnbhargava's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.25

This book isn’t perfect but the characters are so well executed and it’s all a very plausible life depiction of the title character and the characters around him that are his nearest and dearest. I would heartily recommend this book to anyone.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Please note the alcoholism, suicide, miscarriage and car accident and the accompanying grief that could be caused by these are recurring themes in this book.

sins97's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Vomit, Car accident, and Death of parent

Minor: Infertility and Infidelity

slinkmalink's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

Enjoyable, light-hearted read about books and unexpected connections.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Death and Suicide

gavinn_h's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Okay so,

What the fuck is wrong with Gabrielle Zevin.  This book was absolutely beautiful, however I don't know if I would ever have picked it up knowing the ending.  Despite the horrifically sad events in this book, it is incredible.  I had a feeling things were going too well for it to end happy, but I didn't think it would be like this.  The sick irony of it all is that my book club picked this book for our "happy ending" prompt.  Although I can see how this is, in fact, a happy ending I was just so attached to A.J. to feel happy.  Overall I am so happy to have found this book, it quickly made its way in to my top books of all time (thus far).  I believe later (much later) after I have nursed my wounds I will return to this book again and again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Death

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcoholism

passionatereader78's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a book about books! Beautifully written. I enjoyed all of the characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

sabrinaapreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is giving The House of Cerulean Sea vibes in the best way! Curmudgeon, found family and a little darkness. I wholeheartedly consumed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and loved the structure, the story, the lovable/fallible main character, supporting roles, the twist, all of IT.
Important to note: this book was written first.
🙌🏼 Praise Zevin 🙌🏼.


Favorite Character:
This one was tough - so many amazingly complex characters to LOVE.
For now, I'll say it's Amelia. Her commitment to being her true/authentic self is remarkable. She vibrantly jumps from the page. I too, want some daisy flip flops (among other things). She is joie de vivre!! 🌼

Favorite Moment:
Again, so difficult - I will say this without spoiling anything - the TWIST reveal. I didn't see it coming in any way, shape or form, although there was something always nagging me and in retrospect, there were definitely elements of foreshadowing. Gosh, this book is SO GOOD. 👀

Final Thoughts:
Zevin writes with a nostalgic tone and at an easy to read pace.
This novel, at it's heart, has a message of 💗LOVE 💗and for that, I'm always down to read, praise and rejoice in every word!! AMEN!! 🙏🏼 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Grief, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Abandonment

All of the above content warnings are handled with care and consideration by the author. This sensitive reader was able to enjoy the novel with ease.

coralynski's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

shaleen64's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• 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

4.0

An easy and beautiful read about the love of books, the love of people and what really matters in life. It will make you laugh, cry and hope. 

There are also some unexpected twists/plot lines. A brilliant choice in any instance but perfect if you’re in a reading slump.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

moontintedtulips's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Abandonment

polypropylena's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Car accident, and Death of parent

Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Suicide, and Dementia

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Vomit, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment