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sheriffrockyraccoon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I’m devastated.
I picked up this book because the New York Times listed it as one of the best books of the century and while I expected a mysterious, apocalyptic thriller I instead found a beautiful and realistic story about what it means to be human.
I absolutely loved the characters. Even Ruth, who is a bit of a mean girl, felt incredibly realistic and I had sympathy for her regardless of her actions. The same applies for Kath and Tommy, they felt incredibly realistic in a way that’s rare in literature. The one part that bothered me was how the chapters and page breaks always seemed to end on a cliffhanger, it felt repetitive toward the end. Otherwise, the writing was so specific I have to remind myself that this isn’t something I went through.
I would recommend this book to any fans of dystopian literature, although it focuses much more on the characters rather than any action. Honestly, I would just recommend this book in general as long as you’re ready to have your heart broken.
I picked up this book because the New York Times listed it as one of the best books of the century and while I expected a mysterious, apocalyptic thriller I instead found a beautiful and realistic story about what it means to be human.
I absolutely loved the characters. Even Ruth, who is a bit of a mean girl, felt incredibly realistic and I had sympathy for her regardless of her actions. The same applies for Kath and Tommy, they felt incredibly realistic in a way that’s rare in literature. The one part that bothered me was how the chapters and page breaks always seemed to end on a cliffhanger, it felt repetitive toward the end. Otherwise, the writing was so specific I have to remind myself that this isn’t something I went through.
I would recommend this book to any fans of dystopian literature, although it focuses much more on the characters rather than any action. Honestly, I would just recommend this book in general as long as you’re ready to have your heart broken.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Infertility, Sexual content, Grief, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
readbyluca's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I read this book for one of my courses at uni and didn‘t think I‘d care much for it. Up until 3/4 of it I didn’t…but the end? I knew in what direction it would head, the narrator even tells you at the beginning, but you end up wishing and hoping in spite of it. The pacing was really slow and I can see how many people will get frustrated with some characters (looking at you, ruth) but it felt incredibly raw to me. And in the end the book got me, and I am happy I read it through.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
jenlengland's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, Grief, and Abandonment
avasbookmark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
els4lp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Bullying and Infertility
charlottemarie17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma
himpersonal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
3.5
I had a hard time feeling sympathy for any of the characters, even though they probably deserve more sympathy than most people. I could also see a future where this kind of ethical technology actually comes to fruition. As it is today, part of my job is to help assess the digital ethics of some of our more advanced tech projects for potentially unintended consequences. Would’ve rated this book higher given the subject matter could be so gripping, but it wasn’t quite, and I think it was because the characters lacked depth. However, that’s part of the genius of this book. After all, it’s hard to develop character when they have a very finite future. Actually, based on this little aha I just had, I’ll readjust to a 4.
I had a hard time feeling sympathy for any of the characters, even though they probably deserve more sympathy than most people. I could also see a future where this kind of ethical technology actually comes to fruition. As it is today, part of my job is to help assess the digital ethics of some of our more advanced tech projects for potentially unintended consequences. Would’ve rated this book higher given the subject matter could be so gripping, but it wasn’t quite, and I think it was because the characters lacked depth. However, that’s part of the genius of this book. After all, it’s hard to develop character when they have a very finite future. Actually, based on this little aha I just had, I’ll readjust to a 4.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
daddylonglegz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Medical content, Grief, and Classism
chireadsandchill's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
augustst's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic friendship