jostelljes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
4.0
katreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautiful story. Ona was an amazing character, I loved her voice through with her shards. I loved Quinn immediately, and Belle grew on me. The writing was beautiful. I didn’t immediately understand Belle’s interpretation of what happened at the end (maybe I was reading too late), but the given that book was generally infused with magic, I am willing to believe it.
appletonkelli's review against another edition
5.0
This is the story of how one life cut too short changed everyone. It is also the story of grace and regret and forgiving yourself and having courage.
starryeved's review against another edition
2.0
Ona Vitkus came from a place called Evening.
An uplifting, wistful, at times both heartwarming and heartbreaking tale of friendship and human connection, not unlike Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove.
The One-in-a-Million Boy is much more ambiguous and open-ended, though. Instead of encapsulating happiness and devotion within one hardened life, it's about how a blossoming friendship between a boy and 104 year-old Lithuanian immigrant Ona Vitkus touches the hearts of those around him when the unthinkable happens. It's a little more grey, a little more gritty, but with just as much heart.
I would have liked to have seen more, though. It seems this novel touched on the beginning of a beautiful friendship - Bogie's words, not mine - and hope beginning to shine through, but left the rest up to the readers' imagination. Though that choice didn't really endear itself to me, this was still a pleasant read overall... with a wonderful ending.
Can you see the iceberg coming? No one will love you more than they love themselves.
lisa_vautier's review against another edition
5.0
I have the tendency to get caught up in how many books, pages I read per month, but I try to only use it to motivate me remain aware of how I use my time. The feature that I really love on GR is the Year in books. I love looking at the covers of the books I have read, noting the regretables, the forgetables,
which I try to minimize, those lovely books which did something markedly well, but most particularly for those books who added to me by providing a character who lives with me now, or an image, or even a beautiful line. Those books are the treasures, the ones I want to buy in physical copy even though I already have the ebook so that as they catch my eye on their shelf I feel and echo of what they made me feel when I read them.
The One-in-a-Million Boy is one of those books. It explores how we are, or can be, too one another, in a way that goes beyond the usual development of a tribe theme ( which hey I enjoy too). I can't go further without spoilers. But take note of the idea of 'ghost notes'. Thanks to Larry H. for the review that made me get this one.
which I try to minimize, those lovely books which did something markedly well, but most particularly for those books who added to me by providing a character who lives with me now, or an image, or even a beautiful line. Those books are the treasures, the ones I want to buy in physical copy even though I already have the ebook so that as they catch my eye on their shelf I feel and echo of what they made me feel when I read them.
The One-in-a-Million Boy is one of those books. It explores how we are, or can be, too one another, in a way that goes beyond the usual development of a tribe theme ( which hey I enjoy too). I can't go further without spoilers. But take note of the idea of 'ghost notes'. Thanks to Larry H. for the review that made me get this one.
elianaclaire's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot overstate the tenderness of this novel. A story of unusual friendships, world records, loss, and deep, deep bonding, The One-in-a-Million Boy will break your heart over and over again. But then it'll put you back together, and it'll all be worth it.
pjkerrison's review against another edition
5.0
One of those books you're just happy to be a part of. Written with many layers, characters you can understand and empathize with and above all, find ways to have enough room in your heart for all of them. I am just so glad I read this. A wonderful beach read, for certain.