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c_dmckinney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Ultimately, I don't think I'm the right audience for this book. I'm oversaturated and exhausted by broken men doing profoundly selfish things that hurt their wives with no real consequences. I understand he was stuck in a cycle of immense grief for 20 years after tremendous loss, but Harold taking off on his journey without so much as telling his wife put me off the entire thing.
The writing is beautiful in a haunting and meandering way. The exploration of grief is done quite well. I loved the way the shoes were used as an overarching metaphor and I really liked the concept of an act of faith not being explicitly specifically religious in nature. But I felt so much more for Maureen than Harold the entire time.
My sympathy for what Harold did to his wife without thought or consideration or apology made every additional choice Harold made all that much more frustrating. At every turn he refused most help, refused to acknowledge his behavior meaning anything outside of keeping Queenie alive, refused to do anything to make the journey safer or quicker. While I fully understand that grief is often isolating and illogical, Harold was so frustratingly selfish and unintentionally cruel to the person best equipped to understand his pain and it makes it hard for me to care that his ending is technically the happiest outcome for him.
Some people are drawn to this sort of protagonist but I deeply resent them because they are so common in my real life. So my rating is heavily biased and mostly about how much I don't like reading stories about people like Harold. It shouldn't necessarily be used to justify someone not reading it though.
The writing is beautiful in a haunting and meandering way. The exploration of grief is done quite well. I loved the way the shoes were used as an overarching metaphor and I really liked the concept of an act of faith not being explicitly specifically religious in nature. But I felt so much more for Maureen than Harold the entire time.
My sympathy for what Harold did to his wife without thought or consideration or apology made every additional choice Harold made all that much more frustrating. At every turn he refused most help, refused to acknowledge his behavior meaning anything outside of keeping Queenie alive, refused to do anything to make the journey safer or quicker. While I fully understand that grief is often isolating and illogical, Harold was so frustratingly selfish and unintentionally cruel to the person best equipped to understand his pain and it makes it hard for me to care that his ending is technically the happiest outcome for him.
Some people are drawn to this sort of protagonist but I deeply resent them because they are so common in my real life. So my rating is heavily biased and mostly about how much I don't like reading stories about people like Harold. It shouldn't necessarily be used to justify someone not reading it though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Alcohol
smreads24's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Suicide
kaelynrae's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
very introspective and interesting read. as someone who recently lost a parent to cancer and has struggled with mental health issues and addiction, it was a tough read at points. but very well done. a bit slow at points but compelling as i think that was intentional
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, and Suicide
bealunn11's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A heartwarming book! I will say I was able to semi-guess the ending although it didn't matter too much, I was happy to be there for the journey! Although slow, It was a well rounded and satisfying read. Would recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Suicide
tiamia1084's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
One of the most precious books I've ever read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Suicide, and Terminal illness
schorlett's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Vomit
Minor: Self harm
gingerlaura's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"De wereld bestond uit mensen die de ene voet voor de andere zetten, en soms leek een leven alleen maar gewoon omdat de persoon die het leidde dat al zo lang deed."
Wat een ongelooflijk ontroerend boek. Hij is prachtig in zijn eenvoud, en het laatste stuk heb ik met een brok in mijn keel gelezen. Hij is mij net geen 5 sterren waard vanwege het middenstuk wat mijnsinziens niet helemaal bij het verhaal paste, maar ik kan hem aan iedereen aanbevelen.
Wat een ongelooflijk ontroerend boek. Hij is prachtig in zijn eenvoud, en het laatste stuk heb ik met een brok in mijn keel gelezen. Hij is mij net geen 5 sterren waard vanwege het middenstuk wat mijnsinziens niet helemaal bij het verhaal paste, maar ik kan hem aan iedereen aanbevelen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Mental illness, Self harm, and Terminal illness
em_daydreaming's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Suicide
owlbookhouse's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicide
Minor: Mental illness and Abandonment
hollyr1999's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Suicide