tipdorrit's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
glrreid's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
moirwyn's review against another edition
5.0
For my full review, see here:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/among-others-by-jo-walton/
As a brief forewarning, “Among Others” is the kind of book that will make you want to read more books. Be prepared for that. It will make you want to spend your evenings curled up with Silverberg, LeGuin, or Zelanzy. Quite frankly, this is awesome.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/among-others-by-jo-walton/
As a brief forewarning, “Among Others” is the kind of book that will make you want to read more books. Be prepared for that. It will make you want to spend your evenings curled up with Silverberg, LeGuin, or Zelanzy. Quite frankly, this is awesome.
portlandcat's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book! Not a monumental classic, but certainly a must-read for any science fiction fan.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
3.0
A very strange book. There's lots I liked: Mor, the main character, is smart and capable and has integrity, which makes a refreshing change from the vapid teenage girls one comes across far too often in fiction. She's dead serious about literature in a way I can relate to (hey, I read Dostoyevski at 12 and Baudelaire at 15) and I got most of the SF-references. The boarding school environment and her struggle to endure it is well described and the magic is nicely understated.
However, I was left with too many loose ends: what was the deal with the aunties and why were they trying to mess with Mor? Did Sam possess some kind of magic powers? And what was the point of describing how her dad drunkenly climbed into her bed trying to kiss her? It was never mentioned again and Mor seemed to grow quite fond of him. She acted as if it was no big deal, just one of those things that happen. Attention, kids everywhere reading this book: your dad climbing into your bed IS NOT NORMAL. That happens, call the authorities.
Also confused about the endless references to how bad Mor was at math and how terrible the food was (yeah, tasteless food is devoid of magic, I got it the first time). I kept waiting for these things to become relevant at some point, but they didn't.
Too bad, because there is lot to love about this book.
However, I was left with too many loose ends: what was the deal with the aunties and why were they trying to mess with Mor? Did Sam possess some kind of magic powers? And what was the point of describing how her dad drunkenly climbed into her bed trying to kiss her? It was never mentioned again and Mor seemed to grow quite fond of him. She acted as if it was no big deal, just one of those things that happen. Attention, kids everywhere reading this book: your dad climbing into your bed IS NOT NORMAL. That happens, call the authorities.
Also confused about the endless references to how bad Mor was at math and how terrible the food was (yeah, tasteless food is devoid of magic, I got it the first time). I kept waiting for these things to become relevant at some point, but they didn't.
Too bad, because there is lot to love about this book.
hstapp's review against another edition
4.0
This book is quite good, and hits on so many topics.
Mori is a young girl crippled due to an incident that happened when she was younger. She is one of a set of twins, who both believe in magic, and can see fairies. In fact her mother is an evil witch, who she has escaped by moving in with her father.
This book though dealing with magic and dealing with it quite often is mostly a tale about growing into adulthood and the struggles that you face along the way.
It also deals with: being disabled, being queer, mourning a family member's death, and the downsides of power, as well as others I'm forgetting I'm sure.
It's a lovely book, and I'm quite glad I read it.
Mori is a young girl crippled due to an incident that happened when she was younger. She is one of a set of twins, who both believe in magic, and can see fairies. In fact her mother is an evil witch, who she has escaped by moving in with her father.
This book though dealing with magic and dealing with it quite often is mostly a tale about growing into adulthood and the struggles that you face along the way.
It also deals with: being disabled, being queer, mourning a family member's death, and the downsides of power, as well as others I'm forgetting I'm sure.
It's a lovely book, and I'm quite glad I read it.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
[b:Among Others|8706185|Among Others|Jo Walton|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317792367s/8706185.jpg|6449955] is written in the form of a diary of a young girl Morwenna Phelps as she describes her experiences in a new boarding school. When she first time mentions fairies and magic we don't know should we believe or is it an imagination of a young girl working overtime. But as the time and story progresses we learn what happens when the battle for the world ends. As Morwenna says: 'This is after the end.'
The sad part is I liked this book. But why the low ratting? Because as the reading went I became more and more frustrated. Morwenna made reference on all the fantasy and sf books written until 1979 and as the book progressed the references became more obscure. She sometimes even did not mention name of the book or writer, just names of fictional characters and places and comparing them to her life. This book should come with a list of prerequisite books to read!!!
The sad part is I liked this book. But why the low ratting? Because as the reading went I became more and more frustrated. Morwenna made reference on all the fantasy and sf books written until 1979 and as the book progressed the references became more obscure. She sometimes even did not mention name of the book or writer, just names of fictional characters and places and comparing them to her life. This book should come with a list of prerequisite books to read!!!
brnrdshaw's review against another edition
5.0
Took a while for me to get into the story. It might be because I thought this would be more fantastical or adventurous. Since its a quiet book I kept expecting something huge and terrible to happen. Which made me not want to pick the book up. But its actually more magical realism and slice of life, similar to Haruki Murakami. So when I realized this, I started to really enjoy. And ended up loving it.
chellski's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0