Scan barcode
yesiamabandkid06's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
a_scorpio_reads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jesscl's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
3.5
gaynorcaw's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Very unusual a big wordy in places but fantastic concept. I was completely sucked in highly recommend
megangrace's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Death, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Abandonment
alicecharlotte's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this because I really loved The Versions of Us and thought it was extremely clever. This book was also clever, but I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as I thought I would. I echo the sentiments of the other more negative reviewers on here really; I just don't think I liked Cass very much. The writing was great and the characters felt so real and believable but I don't think I cared about them, which is a problem. The fact the novel actually aligns with an album release is a really cool idea (though I think it has been done before) and I think it does enhance the experience, but not enough for me to give this more than three stars.
hlame's review against another edition
It's very very good, but incredibly sad. Not a good one for the commute, unless you want folk to watch you tearing up every few minutes.
katiecleod's review
5.0
Laura Barnett's novel 'The Versions of Us' was one of my favourite books of 2015, so it came as no surprise when I found myself equally engrossed in her latest offering, 'Greatest Hits.'
The novel follows the life - and the music career - of Cass Wheeler, using the songs that made her famous before she suddenly abandoned music to set the scene for different chapters in her life. Over the course of one day in her home studio, we see her as a child, a teenager, a headstrong twenty-something, and now in present-day middle age.
You feel the nostalgia and the euphoria, the sadness of each low, and the elation of each high. The characters are richly drawn, and the plot moves quickly without ever being over-dramatic. After all, every reader can identify with the time-travelling properties of the music we once loved and lived life to.
'Greatest Hits' is one of those books that truly makes you forget where you are. While reading Barnett's tale, you're not sitting on your couch at home: you're a world-famous singer looking back on her teenage years in 1960s London. It's the kind of book that swallows you whole, and leaves you thinking of it, and its characters, long after you've turned the last page.
'Greatest Hits' will be released in the summer of 2017, and there's no doubt that - like it was for me - it will be a favourite book of the year for many other readers too.
(Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the complimentary digital review copy. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.)
The novel follows the life - and the music career - of Cass Wheeler, using the songs that made her famous before she suddenly abandoned music to set the scene for different chapters in her life. Over the course of one day in her home studio, we see her as a child, a teenager, a headstrong twenty-something, and now in present-day middle age.
You feel the nostalgia and the euphoria, the sadness of each low, and the elation of each high. The characters are richly drawn, and the plot moves quickly without ever being over-dramatic. After all, every reader can identify with the time-travelling properties of the music we once loved and lived life to.
'Greatest Hits' is one of those books that truly makes you forget where you are. While reading Barnett's tale, you're not sitting on your couch at home: you're a world-famous singer looking back on her teenage years in 1960s London. It's the kind of book that swallows you whole, and leaves you thinking of it, and its characters, long after you've turned the last page.
'Greatest Hits' will be released in the summer of 2017, and there's no doubt that - like it was for me - it will be a favourite book of the year for many other readers too.
(Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the complimentary digital review copy. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.)
charliechan21's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the structure, characters and beautifully written prose. I'm a huge fan of Laura Barnet and am looking forward to her next great novel.