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mmadrid's review against another edition
5.0
It feels like I just read 4 different books in one, but not in a bad way. I saw all these reviews talking about a major plot twist, and I really thought I had figured out it was gonna be. but no. oh no. nothing could have prepared me. and it kept happening. the book was split into 4 parts, and every part started with a mind-blowing change to the story. I can't believe that much happened in such a short book.
katiescho741's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books where you think you know where it's going, but then it takes a sharp turn somewhere else. After reading the blurb on my edition I thought I knew what was going to happen, but then something happens about halfway in that changes everything.
This is tough book to review without any spoilers...it's got a definite "Black Mirror" vibe and the Leteo Institute makes it science fiction but the rest of the story is very much down to earth.
The one criticism I have, which may sound a little petty, is the names of Aaron's friends...Me-Crazy, Baby Freddy, Skinny Dave etc...they grated on me a bit and I felt they were all a little one dimensional. I lost track of who was who and I found them all really abrasive an annoying, but I guess they were there to show the world Aaron lives in.
Other than names annoying me, More Happy Than Not is a decent book about memory, forgetting, relationships, and attitudes towards different sexualities. The ethics of Leteo are interesting in themselves...should the guilty be left to feel their guilt? Is it ever wise to offer such a service? how do they chose who is in need of it?
Aaron is an interesting protagonist because, much like in a Black Mirror episode, bad stuff happens but he makes thing worse in his attempts to deal with it. He didn't have my sympathy 100% but he had enough of it to make him a good main character.
This is tough book to review without any spoilers...it's got a definite "Black Mirror" vibe and the Leteo Institute makes it science fiction but the rest of the story is very much down to earth.
The one criticism I have, which may sound a little petty, is the names of Aaron's friends...Me-Crazy, Baby Freddy, Skinny Dave etc...they grated on me a bit and I felt they were all a little one dimensional. I lost track of who was who and I found them all really abrasive an annoying, but I guess they were there to show the world Aaron lives in.
Other than names annoying me, More Happy Than Not is a decent book about memory, forgetting, relationships, and attitudes towards different sexualities. The ethics of Leteo are interesting in themselves...should the guilty be left to feel their guilt? Is it ever wise to offer such a service? how do they chose who is in need of it?
Spoiler
I had a slight issue with the concept that they would accept a case of a boy who wants to forget he is gay. It may be nit-picking but the other examples of their work are based on PTSD or horrific incidents that happened that have affected them. But I don't think they would ever attempt to erase something like sexuality from someone because it's not memory based, it's more integral than thatAaron is an interesting protagonist because, much like in a Black Mirror episode, bad stuff happens but he makes thing worse in his attempts to deal with it. He didn't have my sympathy 100% but he had enough of it to make him a good main character.
luv4warner's review against another edition
3.0
I found the first half really slow paced and kinda boring tbh but the rest was really good
thebooknerdscorner's review against another edition
5.0
A heartbreaking debut novel by none other than Adam Silvera (author of "They Both Die at the End") that dives into the painful moments that we all have lived through and the lengths that we would go in order to forget them.
It's been months since his father's suicide, but Aaron Soto still struggles to find happiness in the world his father left behind. His overworked mother, his distant brother, and his supportive girlfriend Genevieve all try to support him, but it's just not enough to keep his mind away from his own suicide attempt. That is, until he meets Thomas, a new kid in the neighborhood. Slowly, something inside of him begins to shift. As he begins to fall for Thomas, Aaron contemplates using Leteo's mind altering services to straighten himself out. Even if it means forgetting who he truly is.
Every time I read a Silvera book, I am reminded of the genius that he is. His writing always tackles tough topics, yet manages to be downright funny and genuinely heartfelt at the same time. I love Silvera's writing, and I am so glad that I finally bought myself a copy of his debut novel.
It's hard for me to put into words the feelings I get when I read his work. My life has been pretty great all things considered, but Silvera somehow still makes me feel validated and seen in every last one of his books. The exploration of memory in this one is something that everyone can relate to; we all have things we'd rather forget and things that we spend our entire lives trying to run away from. Silvera did an outstanding job of giving Aaron the courage to face these memories head on, especially because he is living in a world where he can get distasteful memories surgically removed.
Despite the Leteo procedure being a major selling point of this book, I still wasn't prepared for just how central it was going to be to the plot. The big reveal did manage to catch me by surprise, despite the large amount of hints that were dropped in the first segments of this novel. I was so immersed in other elements (Aaron coming to terms with the fact he was gay, his complicated relationship with Genevieve, etc) that I just didn't connect the dots together. So congrats Mr. Silvera; you gut punched me again when we hit part zero!
Many often heavy topics including self-discovery, racism, classism, homophobia, living through trauma, suicide/attempted suicide, and the complexities of human memory are all explored in great detail in this book. It is honest, raw, and you can feel that Silvera knew exactly what he is talking about when he wrote about each topic. This heartbreaking and inspiring story taking place in a futuristic version of the Bronx will truly live in my heart forever.
I love how the story ended and how it tied in the title "More Happy Than Not," but I would totally have been haunted by it. . . If I didn't read the deluxe edition, that is. Several years later, Silvera went and wrote a bonus final chapter entitled "More Happy Ending." This ending leaves Aaron on a much more uplifting note and explores the complicated situation that he found himself in at the conclusion of the novel. I'm so glad that Silvera did this (despite how I tend to complain about author's adjusting their books post-publication; it just feels unfair to the early readers), but in this case I'll make an exception. It truly added a ton to this story, and made me feel an even deeper connection to Aaron, Thomas, Genevieve, and the rest of the gang.
Overall, "More Happy Than Not" joins the list of platinum starred books on my tier list. Everything that Silvera pens is a masterpiece and I eat up every piece of his work I get my hands on. I love the depth of the characters, the complicated dive into human memory, and the complex relations that the characters share. The humor is spot on, the journey to self-discovery is immaculate, and I can't scream enough about the major plot twist that threw me off guard. I love "More Happy Than Not" even though it tore my heart in two multiple times just to piece it back together again. Seriously, if these are the types of books you like and you haven't read it yet, I beg you to get yourself a copy of this one (and bonus points if it's the deluxe edition)!
It's been months since his father's suicide, but Aaron Soto still struggles to find happiness in the world his father left behind. His overworked mother, his distant brother, and his supportive girlfriend Genevieve all try to support him, but it's just not enough to keep his mind away from his own suicide attempt. That is, until he meets Thomas, a new kid in the neighborhood. Slowly, something inside of him begins to shift. As he begins to fall for Thomas, Aaron contemplates using Leteo's mind altering services to straighten himself out. Even if it means forgetting who he truly is.
Every time I read a Silvera book, I am reminded of the genius that he is. His writing always tackles tough topics, yet manages to be downright funny and genuinely heartfelt at the same time. I love Silvera's writing, and I am so glad that I finally bought myself a copy of his debut novel.
It's hard for me to put into words the feelings I get when I read his work. My life has been pretty great all things considered, but Silvera somehow still makes me feel validated and seen in every last one of his books. The exploration of memory in this one is something that everyone can relate to; we all have things we'd rather forget and things that we spend our entire lives trying to run away from. Silvera did an outstanding job of giving Aaron the courage to face these memories head on, especially because he is living in a world where he can get distasteful memories surgically removed.
Despite the Leteo procedure being a major selling point of this book, I still wasn't prepared for just how central it was going to be to the plot. The big reveal did manage to catch me by surprise, despite the large amount of hints that were dropped in the first segments of this novel. I was so immersed in other elements (Aaron coming to terms with the fact he was gay, his complicated relationship with Genevieve, etc) that I just didn't connect the dots together. So congrats Mr. Silvera; you gut punched me again when we hit part zero!
Many often heavy topics including self-discovery, racism, classism, homophobia, living through trauma, suicide/attempted suicide, and the complexities of human memory are all explored in great detail in this book. It is honest, raw, and you can feel that Silvera knew exactly what he is talking about when he wrote about each topic. This heartbreaking and inspiring story taking place in a futuristic version of the Bronx will truly live in my heart forever.
I love how the story ended and how it tied in the title "More Happy Than Not," but I would totally have been haunted by it. . . If I didn't read the deluxe edition, that is. Several years later, Silvera went and wrote a bonus final chapter entitled "More Happy Ending." This ending leaves Aaron on a much more uplifting note and explores the complicated situation that he found himself in at the conclusion of the novel. I'm so glad that Silvera did this (despite how I tend to complain about author's adjusting their books post-publication; it just feels unfair to the early readers), but in this case I'll make an exception. It truly added a ton to this story, and made me feel an even deeper connection to Aaron, Thomas, Genevieve, and the rest of the gang.
Overall, "More Happy Than Not" joins the list of platinum starred books on my tier list. Everything that Silvera pens is a masterpiece and I eat up every piece of his work I get my hands on. I love the depth of the characters, the complicated dive into human memory, and the complex relations that the characters share. The humor is spot on, the journey to self-discovery is immaculate, and I can't scream enough about the major plot twist that threw me off guard. I love "More Happy Than Not" even though it tore my heart in two multiple times just to piece it back together again. Seriously, if these are the types of books you like and you haven't read it yet, I beg you to get yourself a copy of this one (and bonus points if it's the deluxe edition)!
autumnnleeaves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.5
jackthelad's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.75
angevba's review against another edition
4.0
Definitivamente tengo mixed feelings. Principalmente me encanta esta historia porque 1. muy original 2. el mensaje es MUY importante.
El final quizás no sea de mis favoritos. Se que es parte del impacto del libro y de que se entienda mejor el mensaje pero igual siento que me faltó algo o que quiero simplemente saber más.
Aaron como personaje me encantó por cierto, muy real, definitivamente sus problemas son muy palpables para el lector y siento que eso es importante.
El final quizás no sea de mis favoritos. Se que es parte del impacto del libro y de que se entienda mejor el mensaje pero igual siento que me faltó algo o que quiero simplemente saber más.
Aaron como personaje me encantó por cierto, muy real, definitivamente sus problemas son muy palpables para el lector y siento que eso es importante.
atos520's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The story was amazing. It encompasses something we all want: to forget the bad. Yet, we learn that forgetting is never the answer; it always does more harm than good I recommend this book to anyone. I related hard to Aaron at the end