samstone's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
orygunn's review against another edition
4.0
This is one that I’m not sure will stick with me or not but I was thoroughly immersed in the world while reading it.
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
The premise was kind of obvious and disturbing, but each element was handled so well I could hardly put this down. What would you do if you knew the day you were going to die? Four siblings visit a Roma soothsayer who tells them exactly this when they are children. They all really internalize this information, on into adulthood and handle it in ways that are as different as their personalities. It raises questions of what is brave versus what is a foolish risk, what it means to be true to yourself, what it means to keep secrets, and other issues. There are four plots to go with four siblings. I'm not describing this very well, I'm afraid; it's not a happy story but it's very very interesting and thought-provoking in uncomfortable ways. This book took me way beyond my comfort zone but I couldn't resist the ride. The adjective "nightmarish" comes to mind; and in fact it's like a horror movie because you know throughout that awful things are going to happen. And they do. But it's irresistible. I'm glad I read it but boy, it was creepy. I know a lot of people who would love it.
emwinch's review against another edition
5.0
The Immortalists is split into 4 sections, each narrated by a different Gold sibling. After each section, I didn’t think I could possibly be more invested in the next sibling, but somehow Chloe Benjamin ropes you into their lives, questioning whether or not we shape our own destinies, or if they are predetermined- something that we can’t run from.
sophieelise93's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
The writing is amazing, the wholeness of the characters making up the Gold family making each feel completely real, their personalities and stories seems so authentic. Unlike any other plot I have ever read also, it feels like a unique perspective on story telling to me. So richly detailed and yet leaving so much space for your own interpretation.
saranorton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
mothmancommunitycenter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
minkkmuse's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
i was drawn in by this book’s compelling premise, and while i enjoyed the character-driven, polyvocal structure, the story itself falls flat for me. it is steeped in an emotionality that does not feel earned
and almost grossly misrepresents certain social issues. the most fascinating themes of the novel (possible futures, fate and circumstance, free will) are elided in favor of banal family dramas.
Spoiler
(and, in my opinion, cruelly uses the aids epidemic as an emotional twist)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Eating disorder
Spoiler
includes discussion of hiv/aids epidemicirish_bookfairy's review against another edition
3.0
I was attracted to this book because of the synopsis; 4 children going to see some gypsy that predicts the day they will die. How do you go from there? How do you live your life?
Al 4 children of the Gold family see the gypsy separately and get to know their fate. Not the how, only the when. After this the book is divided into four sections where we get to read each sibling's journey since that faithful day. We start with the youngest and end with the oldest.
The story was well written and each sibling is so different from the other, trying to find their own path in life. They never tell each other their prophecy and never talk about it, even though it's always on their mind. One by one we find out if the prophecy becomes reality and how the others deal with it.
There was no real excitement to this book, no giant emotions, just a nice story with a very interesting concept that turns out to be quite eye-opening.
Al 4 children of the Gold family see the gypsy separately and get to know their fate. Not the how, only the when. After this the book is divided into four sections where we get to read each sibling's journey since that faithful day. We start with the youngest and end with the oldest.
The story was well written and each sibling is so different from the other, trying to find their own path in life. They never tell each other their prophecy and never talk about it, even though it's always on their mind. One by one we find out if the prophecy becomes reality and how the others deal with it.
There was no real excitement to this book, no giant emotions, just a nice story with a very interesting concept that turns out to be quite eye-opening.