docpacey's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting take on second chances and the idea of whether we can recreate ourselves if given a clean slate (body-wise).
Four characters, all very privileged, struggle as they awake in new bodies, freed from terminal disease, paralysis, cancer. Some want what they had, others, not so much.
Readable, but ultimately pretty forgettable. A quick summer page-turner.
Four characters, all very privileged, struggle as they awake in new bodies, freed from terminal disease, paralysis, cancer. Some want what they had, others, not so much.
Readable, but ultimately pretty forgettable. A quick summer page-turner.
sarahprandall's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars | The premise of this book was excellent and similar in many ways to the phenomenal [b:The Age of Miracles|12401556|The Age of Miracles|Karen Thompson Walker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1342487370s/12401556.jpg|17382941]-- a character study with a sci-fi twist. I loved much of this book, as it really left me thinking about what part of our identity is connected to the bodies we've lived our lives in, and what part is within our minds. I only wish the character development was a bit stronger, and that it would have dug a little deeper into the subject matter at hand. It stayed just below surface level, which disappointed me.
themildone's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ellehamp's review against another edition
4.0
I went back and forth with this one a little because some of the character's actions were driving me crazy, but overall it was a good book. Well written and an interesting concept.
sunfishe's review
3.75
I really enjoyed this book, the concept was very interesting and in the beginning I was very interested in the characters. through the middle-end I found a couple of the protagonists really tiresome -- normally I like unlikeable protagonists, but in this case they were acting so childish and stuck in the same feedback loops for so long that by the end it felt a bit old. I found the ending underwhelming.
mrskinnunen's review against another edition
2.0
It’s been a long time since I’ve finished a book & literally thought there were pages missing at the end.
I was just starting to enjoy learning the characters’ stories when BAM. The End. The premise is interesting & could easily have led to an actual plot.
It’s no Station Eleven.
I was just starting to enjoy learning the characters’ stories when BAM. The End. The premise is interesting & could easily have led to an actual plot.
It’s no Station Eleven.
mellos's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
andymoon's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good book with a premise that compelled me to pick it out and read. Four terminally ill people are given the chance to clone their brain cells into a new body that's their own, but perfect. I was intrigued to see what obstacles they'd face afterwards. Most of it were really just insecurity about their "new" bodies and relationship problems. Not much else. Would love to have seen more sci-fi stuff. I do think this book would be much better off as an indie movie that's focused on the being human aspect.
apatrick's review against another edition
4.0
How much of our identities are dependent on our bodies? What if you could get a brand new version of your body, no sickness, no scars? Interesting premise: Check! Interesting characters I enjoy learning more about: Check! Good writing: Check! Also hits the mark on thoughtfulness of topic, consistency of pace and ability to keep me thinking about it a week after I read it.
Someone said there is only one plot: "Who am I?" [help me out, guys, it's in a movie somewhere, but I don't remember which one.] This book is also that plot, but presented in quite a different way than I've read before. It uses the science-fiction idea of cloning body replacements for sick people to explore identity questions from the point of view of the person who wakes up in that body, rather than the commonly done perspective of the clones. These elements have shown up in fiction before (House of the Scorpion, Never Let Me Go>) but this is a different take.
I would usually complain that the ending doesn't neatly tie up the loose ends, which I usually insist on in order to recommend a book, but things ended up pretty naturally. It's about people's lives, and our lives don't really get tied up nice and tight. V. good, would read again.
Someone said there is only one plot: "Who am I?" [help me out, guys, it's in a movie somewhere, but I don't remember which one.] This book is also that plot, but presented in quite a different way than I've read before. It uses the science-fiction idea of cloning body replacements for sick people to explore identity questions from the point of view of the person who wakes up in that body, rather than the commonly done perspective of the clones. These elements have shown up in fiction before (House of the Scorpion, Never Let Me Go>) but this is a different take.
I would usually complain that the ending doesn't neatly tie up the loose ends, which I usually insist on in order to recommend a book, but things ended up pretty naturally. It's about people's lives, and our lives don't really get tied up nice and tight. V. good, would read again.
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The writing is confident, the characters and nuanced and interesting, the story well plotted, and the topic intriguing. The book asks questions that are worth asking. What is it that makes us ourselves? Can we be ourselves if we lack the bodies we've lived in for our whole lives? Who are we without our sense memories and physical histories? They're interesting questions that are worth asking.
What especially intrigues me is the author photo. Chiarella looks like she's about 12 years old. I wonder if she swapped out a picture of her younger sister as a joke? If the pic is her, go girl! Don't need gray hair to write a kick butt book.
What especially intrigues me is the author photo. Chiarella looks like she's about 12 years old. I wonder if she swapped out a picture of her younger sister as a joke? If the pic is her, go girl! Don't need gray hair to write a kick butt book.