inmimisbowl's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
laston's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
matildamercury's review against another edition
4.0
This book was fantastic, and felt almost comforting in its constant awkwardness and embarrassment. Yes, it’s a book where “nothing happens”, but sometimes that is the true shape of experience as an 18 year old girl.
From the author, in her Vox interview:
“There actually is a reason for all the plot-level frustration, because one of the things I really wanted to explore in this book was the feeling of falling outside of narrative. This was something I experienced for the first time in college. The narrative quality of life, my ability to see my life as a story — for whatever reason, this was always something that I really wanted to have — would just sometimes disappear. I’ve also had episodes of depression in my life, and those things are connected. For me, a lot of depression is just not being able to see any kind of a story that you’re in. It’s the same with a breakup. One of the most painful parts of a breakup is having the feeling that your life is a story, and then the other person leaves and takes the story with them. And you’re left there without it. You’re left in this version of life that’s basically a succession of events and interactions that don’t seem to be going anywhere.”
From the author, in her Vox interview:
“There actually is a reason for all the plot-level frustration, because one of the things I really wanted to explore in this book was the feeling of falling outside of narrative. This was something I experienced for the first time in college. The narrative quality of life, my ability to see my life as a story — for whatever reason, this was always something that I really wanted to have — would just sometimes disappear. I’ve also had episodes of depression in my life, and those things are connected. For me, a lot of depression is just not being able to see any kind of a story that you’re in. It’s the same with a breakup. One of the most painful parts of a breakup is having the feeling that your life is a story, and then the other person leaves and takes the story with them. And you’re left there without it. You’re left in this version of life that’s basically a succession of events and interactions that don’t seem to be going anywhere.”
jennybee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cflatman's review
adventurous
medium-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? Yes
2.5
I’m surprised people like this book???
jknoxwhite's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gwenkonatarevic's review against another edition
5.0
if the main character of a book can be described as a “loser” i will love it
mjvanhusen's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.25