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vacantbones's review against another edition
4.0
I don't really write reviews, for a whole plethora of reasons, but I had to come and defend this book. Upon adding it to my list, many of my friends tried to convince me it was, for a lack of better words, boring and uneventful. And maybe they weren't necessarily *wrong* per se, but I really loved this book.
The writing was just so dreamy (I know, I know) and even though the plot didn't as much unfold as it did slowly boil over, the way the book was written was just so lovely and detailed that I finished it in two days. I know a lot of people are frustrated with the lack of "answers" and serious science, but I feel like I received just enough information about the sleep state and the unraveling of the town to be satisfied with the book. The characters were actually some of my favorites in recent history, minus that of Matthew, and that many people wish there was a relationship between him and another character just baffles me because nothing ever indicated that they were on the same wavelength. These characters were just people that brushed shoulders during a life altering event and sometimes that is just enough.
Overall, this is a 4 star read for me. I agree that maybe it's a bit of a hard one to swallow for some readers, but the writing is everything I wanted and my expectations were exceeded.
The writing was just so dreamy (I know, I know) and even though the plot didn't as much unfold as it did slowly boil over, the way the book was written was just so lovely and detailed that I finished it in two days. I know a lot of people are frustrated with the lack of "answers" and serious science, but I feel like I received just enough information about the sleep state and the unraveling of the town to be satisfied with the book. The characters were actually some of my favorites in recent history, minus that of Matthew, and that many people wish there was a relationship between him and another character just baffles me because nothing ever indicated that they were on the same wavelength. These characters were just people that brushed shoulders during a life altering event and sometimes that is just enough.
Overall, this is a 4 star read for me. I agree that maybe it's a bit of a hard one to swallow for some readers, but the writing is everything I wanted and my expectations were exceeded.
cupcates's review against another edition
4.0
mom come pick me up, another book written about a mysterious illness published before march 2020 has come for my throat
literary_liv's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
liakeller's review against another edition
3.0
Very quick read. Such an interesting take on the virus / apocalypse theme. Enjoyable. I liked how the characters are super developed, but just little glimpses.
lesdrane's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Hrm… I think some people will love this book. It’s slow and mysterious and if you love a ~~vibey~~ book, it could be perfect for you.
I looked forward to reading the book but I felt left with questions and whip-lash at the sudden end.
PlusI WILL NEVER FORGIVE MATTHEW FOR NOT GETTING MEI AND THE BABY! Both could have been done!!! God Matthew was so annoying
I looked forward to reading the book but I felt left with questions and whip-lash at the sudden end.
Plus
jesspeachee's review against another edition
4.0
This was very interesting. I started this while on a trip with my mom.
Ironically, I was reading this out loud to her when she was having trouble sleeping
Ironically, I was reading this out loud to her when she was having trouble sleeping
horsley123's review against another edition
5.0
A college town in California is hit a by a sleeping virus. It starts in a dorm with a girl who does not wake up, she is taken away but then it becomes apparent that the sickness is spreading and the dorm is put into quarantine.
The cast of characters grows from Mei and Matthew, two college students, to the father who has been preparing for a world disaster for some time, the new parents, a college professor, a foetus and a doctor. Each character gives an insight into the state of the town, the country and into the character of the virus.
Those hit with the illness have vivid dreams; are these dreams of the future, memories or just wishful thinking?
I particularly enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Mei and Matthew, with the twist in the tale as Matthew acts according to his beliefs on the value of life.
A thought provoking, great read! It is one of those books that I will remember, think about for a long time to come and definitely recommend!
The cast of characters grows from Mei and Matthew, two college students, to the father who has been preparing for a world disaster for some time, the new parents, a college professor, a foetus and a doctor. Each character gives an insight into the state of the town, the country and into the character of the virus.
Those hit with the illness have vivid dreams; are these dreams of the future, memories or just wishful thinking?
I particularly enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Mei and Matthew, with the twist in the tale as Matthew acts according to his beliefs on the value of life.
A thought provoking, great read! It is one of those books that I will remember, think about for a long time to come and definitely recommend!
laurenisallbooked's review against another edition
3.0
It is fascinating to read in 2021 a book about an epidemic published in 2019.
Thompson Walker gets so many things right: the doubters of science, the shortage of groceries, the way it feels like you share consciousness with some members of reality and not others, the fracturing and splitting of the perception of time.
Much of the book is a rumination on parenthood: the desperate need to protect infants, the near magic that is the existence and growth of children, the way so many things must come together for children to development.
This book was a nice reprieve from the reality of COVID (what if the sickness was sleep?) but ultimately it fell a bit flat for me in the reality of the pandemic (especially one I've experienced without children).
Thompson Walker gets so many things right: the doubters of science, the shortage of groceries, the way it feels like you share consciousness with some members of reality and not others, the fracturing and splitting of the perception of time.
Much of the book is a rumination on parenthood: the desperate need to protect infants, the near magic that is the existence and growth of children, the way so many things must come together for children to development.
This book was a nice reprieve from the reality of COVID (what if the sickness was sleep?) but ultimately it fell a bit flat for me in the reality of the pandemic (especially one I've experienced without children).
twinwaffle's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time connecting with this book. The narration was so detached and dry, it really felt strange to me. I stopped reading it twice but hate to leave a book unfinished, but for most of the book I was just looking forward to being done with it. I feel bad saying that but oh well. Sorry. It was just that weird tone, I couldn't help it...