unboxedjack's review against another edition
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
whatdoreadss's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading this book, in the beginning it was a little bit difficult to remember all of the characters but when you finish the book everything becomes more clear!
kcgrim's review against another edition
2.0
I understand what this book was trying to do perfectly well. I had to analyze and pull apart this composition for my American Lit II class. While I was doing the various analytical assignments I was given, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that this author was essentially a, “Try-hard.” She uses every “artsy” convention bragged about such as her non-linear format, second person narration, PowerPoint slides, etc. But among all that I think she lost heart, as in she was writing to “Impress,” not to, “Express.” I couldn’t find myself caring about any of these characters lives as they all appeared fairly surface level to me. Additionally, each chapter’s message about time, authenticity, and youth felt a smidge, “On the nose.”
The writing itself is fine quality-wise and there were a few moving scenes here and there, but I ultimately settled with a 2 star rating because getting through this book was a slog with certain parts due to the criticisms I mentioned.
The writing itself is fine quality-wise and there were a few moving scenes here and there, but I ultimately settled with a 2 star rating because getting through this book was a slog with certain parts due to the criticisms I mentioned.
megsuber's review against another edition
4.0
I live for books that follow multiple characters over a lifetime—or more, especially when told through various perspectives and voices.
veryperi22's review against another edition
4.0
' The unusual format of the novel, taking place across multiple platforms, has led some critics to label the novel "post-postmodern.'
Such a fancy line on one of the descriptions of the book I saw before reading it.
But it's true.
So many predictable pieces of people's lives brought together in a choppy, unpredictable, cross-chronological way.
interesting read.
Such a fancy line on one of the descriptions of the book I saw before reading it.
But it's true.
So many predictable pieces of people's lives brought together in a choppy, unpredictable, cross-chronological way.
interesting read.
sundaydutro's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
heyitsab's review against another edition
2.0
I had such high hopes for this book and was so sorely disappointed.
For the most part I felt like the book was veiling tired, predictable story lines and one-dimensional characters in the guise of an "innovative" writing style that, by three chapters in, just seemed pretentious and gimmicky. It was like Egan was screaming, "Look! This chapter's written in the second person! And this one's a gossip column! And this one's a PowerPoint!" while begging me not to pay attention to the worn out theme (time passes, people get old- who knew?!) and a cast of stock characters. Though to be fair, the PowerPoint chapter did live up to the hype.
Egan's character descriptions sound like they come straight out of a first year writing seminar: Step one, establish this character as "unconventional" by describing their appearance and "edgy" choice of clothing. Step two, establish this character as smart with paragraph-long descriptions of their academic interests and unabashed name-dropping of people in that field. She completely fails to let her characters feel anything or inspire any sort of emotion in her audience. Instead she signals what I assume are supposed to be "emotionally charged" moments with clumsy references to 9/11, mentions of a character's previous suicide attempt, or some sort of realization that time has passed/will pass at some point.
Two stars because I didn't completely dread picking it up.
For the most part I felt like the book was veiling tired, predictable story lines and one-dimensional characters in the guise of an "innovative" writing style that, by three chapters in, just seemed pretentious and gimmicky. It was like Egan was screaming, "Look! This chapter's written in the second person! And this one's a gossip column! And this one's a PowerPoint!" while begging me not to pay attention to the worn out theme (time passes, people get old- who knew?!) and a cast of stock characters. Though to be fair, the PowerPoint chapter did live up to the hype.
Egan's character descriptions sound like they come straight out of a first year writing seminar: Step one, establish this character as "unconventional" by describing their appearance and "edgy" choice of clothing. Step two, establish this character as smart with paragraph-long descriptions of their academic interests and unabashed name-dropping of people in that field. She completely fails to let her characters feel anything or inspire any sort of emotion in her audience. Instead she signals what I assume are supposed to be "emotionally charged" moments with clumsy references to 9/11, mentions of a character's previous suicide attempt, or some sort of realization that time has passed/will pass at some point.
Two stars because I didn't completely dread picking it up.
catladyreba's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't entirely sure what to think about this book, but it kept me reading and struck me as one of those books that I couldn't wait to read again or to listen to on audio.