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thegingerbeast's review against another edition
1.0
Terrible book. I was really excited to read this and now I'm just mad that I wasted so much money and time. The back synopsis is totally different from what I read. I expected something fun and quirky and instead I got a book that was literally so disheartening and depressing that I put it down for days and would not pick it up. I rarely have that problem.
The family in the story was extremely one-dimensional with no real background to relate to. There was no subplot. It was rushed. Time jumped too fast without any real transition. And I'm still extremely confused about what the hell was going on with Joseph. For the first half of the book I was 100% convinced that he had Autism or Aspergers but then the "chair scene" happened and all I could think was "what the fuck does she mean, this is the worst description of a scene I have ever read" and "what the heck is wrong with this guy, now he is just insane".
Bender waited until the very end of the book for Rose's father to randomly say "oh, btw, your grandfather had the same thing as you!" and even then the moment that I was waiting for the most,when she would tell her family, was the shittiest excuse for a "big reveal" ever.
Structurally, the way the dialogue was written was crap. There were no quotation marks, no way to distinquish when a character was talking or when it was just internal monologue.
Overall, extreme waste of time.
The family in the story was extremely one-dimensional with no real background to relate to. There was no subplot. It was rushed. Time jumped too fast without any real transition. And I'm still extremely confused about what the hell was going on with Joseph. For the first half of the book I was 100% convinced that he had Autism or Aspergers but then the "chair scene" happened and all I could think was "what the fuck does she mean, this is the worst description of a scene I have ever read" and "what the heck is wrong with this guy, now he is just insane".
Bender waited until the very end of the book for Rose's father to randomly say "oh, btw, your grandfather had the same thing as you!" and even then the moment that I was waiting for the most,when she would tell her family, was the shittiest excuse for a "big reveal" ever.
Structurally, the way the dialogue was written was crap. There were no quotation marks, no way to distinquish when a character was talking or when it was just internal monologue.
Overall, extreme waste of time.
carrynlund's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 - I found this story really refreshing! I love coming-of-age tales, and loved the twist that the main character can taste feelings in food. But, as with many books I have read lately, I did not truly love it. I felt like the author was reaching for an ending...
Nonetheless, I recommend it!
Nonetheless, I recommend it!
shchiaro's review against another edition
I was very bored. I feel like this book would have been everything to 12 year old me but 22 year old me was wishing that Rose couldn't actually taste feelings but was instead growing in her consciousness as she aged. But, I think that's just too much for me to be asking of this book.
jakweez's review against another edition
1.0
My sister warned me not to read this book. I wish I had listened. I cannot tell you just how bad this book is....if I tried it would go something like this. ..
it's bad I said
how bad? you said
just bad I said
bad good or bad bad you said
I'm a chair I said
If you like that exchange then this is the book for you because it pretty much represents Bender's shocking attempt at writing. Jodi Piccoult describes this book as 'beautiful'. Piccoult is deluded.
If I could give minus stars I would.
it's bad I said
how bad? you said
just bad I said
bad good or bad bad you said
I'm a chair I said
If you like that exchange then this is the book for you because it pretty much represents Bender's shocking attempt at writing. Jodi Piccoult describes this book as 'beautiful'. Piccoult is deluded.
If I could give minus stars I would.
kizzlesizzlewolstie85's review
4.0
It's often hard to get first person narration right when portraying someone much older or younger than oneself. Aimee Bender does this effortlessly it seems. If I had to describe this book in a few words I'd choose, honest, haunting, and poignant.
The brother sister relationship is most specifically all three of these things. I'd wager a lot of cash saying Aimee Bender has a brother. I felt I re-experienced emotions I too had as a young girl but in more vivid ways.
My favorite moment is when Rose and her brother's friend George grab hands to cross the street. Aimee Bender has a gift. I'd recommend this book but only to someone I knew would connect with Rose as the whole story hinges on that. I probably won't be reading any more Aimee Bender for some time. While this book was good the haunting side was very powerful. I'm not sure my emotions can take that much intensity more than a few times a year.
sammackie12's review against another edition
4.0
I want this to be a 3.5. A 3, because I found it unsettling, but a 4 because I found the writing so engaging and I devoured the book.
becca_adler's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. In fact I liked the beginning and I liked how it ended. But the middle dragged on for too long. I kept wondering when is something going to happen. The whole angle on her brother made no sense to me. How did it relate to her special "skill"? Her brother's skill of turning into objects was just too weird. Now, don't get me wrong I have no problem with weird books or even unrealistic things happening to characters but when there seems to be no link and no plot it leaves me with an unsatisfied feeling.
sjlaro's review against another edition
3.0
Really liked Aimee Bender's story telling and vantage point from which she writes. The ending was slightly unexpected and I could tell was meant to bring things full circle but left me confused and wishing for a more complete picture of how the character(s) are and will be as time goes on past the ending of the book.
gracerumph's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think the plot of the book is very interesting. Very slow paced and I enjoyed how we watch the characters grow and age, where life takes them. Overall, the ending of the book left me confused. My last critique would be I really dislike the punctuation style, the author does not use quotations when characters are speaking which makes it difficult to know when a sentence ends and a thought begins.
carissaabc's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't finish this one. Unfortunately, the audiobook is read by the author and she reads v.e.r.y. s.l.o.w.l.y......(very deliberate word pronunciation and long pauses between phrases and changes in speaker during dialogue. And it's an adult book (not a kids book) which apparently means that efficiency in editing text down to it's essential elements isn't as important). Plus, the cover and the title make you think it might be about food, but it's more about sadness and emotions and I don't have time to read about sadness--just about cake. But since the protagonist actually hated the taste of pretty much any handmade food because she could only taste the emotions (generally negative) of the person making the food.... Eh. Just not what I'm looking for in a book that includes food and "magic." NOT a good "what-to-read-next" for fans of Sarah Addison Allen. Or Jeanne Ray. or even Ruth Reichl.