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catra121's review
3.0
This is a hard one to rate. I am really fascinated by this world and I definitely intend to continue this series to get more POVs and experiences from others who live in this world. But...overall it was just ok. I loved The Last Teacher novella set in this world and I feel like that was about the right length for a story like this. This one was just a little too long for me to say I really enjoyed it. But...as I said...I am fascinated by this world and intend to continue reading the series.
mactammonty's review
4.0
Have you ever wondered what would happen if people stopped having children?
This book evokes deep thoughts about what is important to us as we grow older, how are abilities change, and how dependent we are on others to meet our needs.
To those who complain about supporting schools or services for children, this is a book for you. This is what your world would be without children.
This book evokes deep thoughts about what is important to us as we grow older, how are abilities change, and how dependent we are on others to meet our needs.
To those who complain about supporting schools or services for children, this is a book for you. This is what your world would be without children.
zoobles's review against another edition
4.0
Very well done. Some scenes, like the high school graduation, were so heartbreaking I had to stop reading.
themaakie's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
tynathereader's review
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
eseide's review
4.0
Kudos to Chris Dietzel for developing an original story in the ubiquitous genre of dystopian fiction. I finished the book a few weeks (months?) ago, but the story has stayed with me. I see that a lot of reviewers disparage the book for lack of action, but I didn't see this as a detriment at all. I hardly put the book down while reading. I just wanted to keep going. The book was believable, and that can be a difficult thing to pull off with this type of story.
I recommended this book highly for anyone looking for an introspective story that doesn't depend on cliff-hangers to keep you turning the pages. The first-person POV can be restrictive, but Dietzel is quite adroit in his approach, and the story never slows its pace.
The story, plain and simple, is hauntingly sad, and I loved it.
Possible spoiler below:
The only glitch I saw with the story was the machine that just makes whatever kind of food you ask it to make for you, be it lasagna or ice cream. Quite a convenient deus ex machina that detracted from the believability from the story, but it's easy to just let it go in order to keep on the journey.
I recommended this book highly for anyone looking for an introspective story that doesn't depend on cliff-hangers to keep you turning the pages. The first-person POV can be restrictive, but Dietzel is quite adroit in his approach, and the story never slows its pace.
The story, plain and simple, is hauntingly sad, and I loved it.
Possible spoiler below:
The only glitch I saw with the story was the machine that just makes whatever kind of food you ask it to make for you, be it lasagna or ice cream. Quite a convenient deus ex machina that detracted from the believability from the story, but it's easy to just let it go in order to keep on the journey.
iamthez's review
4.0
I honestly didn't know what to expect when I started reading this, and I think in a way, that's a good thing.
It was truly a great read, and it kept me utterly fascinated. The diary style fit perfectly for this novel, and it was a great way to advance the plot as well as provide backstory.
I was heartbroken at this story, but I couldn't put it down. I will absolutely be recommending this novel.
It was truly a great read, and it kept me utterly fascinated. The diary style fit perfectly for this novel, and it was a great way to advance the plot as well as provide backstory.
I was heartbroken at this story, but I couldn't put it down. I will absolutely be recommending this novel.
corinnab's review
4.0
In a world where Dystopian Fiction is currently very popular, this book, brings an entirely refreshing twist to the topic. Typically, the "world" has been destroyed and is near the end due to some war, nuclear explosion, or something of that nature. In this book, everything falls apart very differently -- the world is bare and empty due to all children being born with a severe lifeless medical condition. I probably enjoyed this book more than the average person because I have two auto-immune diseases. I often think about what is causing so many people to be diagnosed with medical conditions and cancer at such an alarming rate. This intrigues me so I had a personal attachment to the story.
The story is definitely a somber one but well-written. The details are specific and it's very easy to feel for the characters. I think the key to a good book is feeling like you are invested in the story and the characters lives. I definitely felt that way when reading this book. You can't help but wonder how you would react if you were in their situation. Very thought-provoking. This book was perfect for me as I love story development over action. There definitely is a limited amount of action but a few scenes end up making up for that. The reader holds hope until the very end of this book.
And a very fun part of this book is how some of the technology works in a world full of nothing. - How they get their food, how they get rid of their trash, etc. - Very futuristic and interesting. Keep in mind, you have to be able to hold a little suspension of disbelief!
Overall, a well-written, unique, and deep story built on love and family.
The story is definitely a somber one but well-written. The details are specific and it's very easy to feel for the characters. I think the key to a good book is feeling like you are invested in the story and the characters lives. I definitely felt that way when reading this book. You can't help but wonder how you would react if you were in their situation. Very thought-provoking. This book was perfect for me as I love story development over action. There definitely is a limited amount of action but a few scenes end up making up for that. The reader holds hope until the very end of this book.
And a very fun part of this book is how some of the technology works in a world full of nothing. - How they get their food, how they get rid of their trash, etc. - Very futuristic and interesting. Keep in mind, you have to be able to hold a little suspension of disbelief!
Overall, a well-written, unique, and deep story built on love and family.
elwoodicious's review against another edition
2.0
Conceptually, I liked this book which is how it managed two stars, however there were flaws difficult to work past.
tl;dr skip this and read the Maddaddam or Southern Reach trilogies or the sublime Station Eleven.
- It is a repetitive narrative: we get it, your brother will never laugh at your jokes nor will he do the dishes.
- Little happens: while its structured as a narrative diary almost nothing happens, neither in reflection of a life lived (or not as is one) or really in the day to day. Maybe that is the point, stylistically speaking, although it makes for a near intolerable read.
- Obviously the author did zero background research on animal behavior: a glaring of house cats hunting deer and humans, bears that eat house cats like so much KFC popcorn chicken (let's not start on the January habits of said bears), purebred dogs after many multiple generations of feral breeding, a world of all apex predators? :/
- How in the hell did the Johnson's car still run? Gas goes bad, rubber rots, batteries die...the narrator is worried about flats...alright then.
- Author did precious little reading around societal transitions and collapses: look, we cannot even get consensus of basic scientific concepts in the US, you really think The Survival Bill would get off the ground? This is not to say that we'd devolve into Beyond The Thunderdome but I'm pretty certain society isn't going to be like an Up With People tour. Moreover, the flippant and, honestly, ignorant run down of how other countries handle the impending collapse (really with Myanmar?) belied that the author has traveled little and read even less. LEARN ABOUT PEOPLE, CULTURE, AND SOCIETIES. AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS LITERATE: STUDY HISTORY.
tl;dr skip this and read the Maddaddam or Southern Reach trilogies or the sublime Station Eleven.
- It is a repetitive narrative: we get it, your brother will never laugh at your jokes nor will he do the dishes.
- Little happens: while its structured as a narrative diary almost nothing happens, neither in reflection of a life lived (or not as is one) or really in the day to day. Maybe that is the point, stylistically speaking, although it makes for a near intolerable read.
- Obviously the author did zero background research on animal behavior: a glaring of house cats hunting deer and humans, bears that eat house cats like so much KFC popcorn chicken (let's not start on the January habits of said bears), purebred dogs after many multiple generations of feral breeding, a world of all apex predators? :/
- How in the hell did the Johnson's car still run? Gas goes bad, rubber rots, batteries die...the narrator is worried about flats...alright then.
- Author did precious little reading around societal transitions and collapses: look, we cannot even get consensus of basic scientific concepts in the US, you really think The Survival Bill would get off the ground? This is not to say that we'd devolve into Beyond The Thunderdome but I'm pretty certain society isn't going to be like an Up With People tour. Moreover, the flippant and, honestly, ignorant run down of how other countries handle the impending collapse (really with Myanmar?) belied that the author has traveled little and read even less. LEARN ABOUT PEOPLE, CULTURE, AND SOCIETIES. AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS LITERATE: STUDY HISTORY.