Scan barcode
saoreads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"the world is full of stories but the stories are all one"—The straightforward way of narrating the story to introduce a lesson on why we live and what we live for, as if tracing the dots, you realize it all happened for a reason when you look back. The different angles; sacrifice, forgiveness, then unveiling it to find a purpose; that your life wasn't a waste, you made a difference. It was striking to put it with the backward format of the novel, which began from the ending. It makes you think about life in general, because all of your suppression, hatred, denial, and emotions reveal how you have been living your life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
pmdwapo11's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I got through this book in one day. It hooks you in from the start but isn’t very satisfying to finish — it left me feeling like I was missing something. I didn’t love how the author painted Mickey as someone who “just made a mistake” after drinking — he assaulted Eddie’s mom and we see him do it, but then it seems like it was just there to show that everyone makes mistakes?
The book had a lovely premise and was very thoughtful and reflective but I feel like more could’ve been done with the premise.
The book had a lovely premise and was very thoughtful and reflective but I feel like more could’ve been done with the premise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcohol
below_average_baker's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really liked the concept of this book but the execution felt rushed and disappointing. The "morals" felt like inspirational quotes you see on facebook rather than something actually deep and meaningful. The main thing that I hated was excusing his father's lifelong abuse and making Eddie forgive him because the dad didn't quite kill the guy who sexually assaulted his wife . That seems very poorly thought out without considering the nuance and complicated emotions that would actually be involved in the situation.
If you like the idea of this story, I would recommend "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig instead, or even "On the Other Side" by Carrie Hope Fletcher. Personally, I enjoyed them far more.
If you like the idea of this story, I would recommend "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig instead, or even "On the Other Side" by Carrie Hope Fletcher. Personally, I enjoyed them far more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Alcoholism, Infertility, Vomit, and Alcohol