maia_cat's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
daniellebeverly's review against another edition
1.0
While the writing is beautiful, the abrupt difference in point of views didn’t sit well with me. Because it started with their love story, I didn’t care about the boy or the video game (though that was written well too). It felt like I was reading two different books, being forced to be one.
eeculp's review
inspiring
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
3.0
This booked grabbed me for being about a teacher in a realistic way and some of the ethics around gaming and teens. It’s about poetry, art, video games, romance, high school, sibling relationships, and mother child relationships.
snoakes7001's review against another edition
5.0
The Chalk Artist is Collin - a talented artist of ephemeral art. He's working as a waiter when he meets and falls for Nina, a new teacher at the local school. Both are from single parent families, but with wildly different backgrounds.
So at its heart, this is a love story. But there is more to it than that. All the main characters are connected by Arkadia, a software gaming company. Some of the best parts of the book are where Allegra Goodman describes the immersive gameworlds of EverWhen and UnderWorld. You can't help thinking her next novel might well be a full blown fantasy epic.
The main characters are well-drawn and believable (although Collin's mother Maia has too many friends and neighbours to keep track of). Nina's frustration at trying to teach poetry to a class of disengaged teenagers is particularly good, as is Aidan's increasing obsession with the games.
So at its heart, this is a love story. But there is more to it than that. All the main characters are connected by Arkadia, a software gaming company. Some of the best parts of the book are where Allegra Goodman describes the immersive gameworlds of EverWhen and UnderWorld. You can't help thinking her next novel might well be a full blown fantasy epic.
The main characters are well-drawn and believable (although Collin's mother Maia has too many friends and neighbours to keep track of). Nina's frustration at trying to teach poetry to a class of disengaged teenagers is particularly good, as is Aidan's increasing obsession with the games.
xhekap30's review
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
daynpitseleh's review against another edition
3.0
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really interesting book that focuses on a few different characters - but all are connected to Arkadia, a company that makes MMORPGs (think Blizzard and World of Warcraft). As someone who loves video games, this book was very interesting to me, and it was very well-written. I was hooked early on and eagerly awaited the pay-off. However, I felt that the ending just kind of happened... I wanted more - not necessarily a resolution, but it felt like the climax of the book just never really happened. I would still rate it at 3.5 stars and would recommend it to others.
This is a really interesting book that focuses on a few different characters - but all are connected to Arkadia, a company that makes MMORPGs (think Blizzard and World of Warcraft). As someone who loves video games, this book was very interesting to me, and it was very well-written. I was hooked early on and eagerly awaited the pay-off. However, I felt that the ending just kind of happened... I wanted more - not necessarily a resolution, but it felt like the climax of the book just never really happened. I would still rate it at 3.5 stars and would recommend it to others.
nellday's review against another edition
2.0
I would give this three stars but I'm too cross about the girl whose entire character arc is 1. she is fat but starts doing exercise and gets thin 2. she is in unrequited love with her female best friend but then gets a boyfriend. Ugh x 100.
knitter22's review against another edition
2.0
The Chalk Artist started off interestingly enough, but my initial interest didn't last very long. I enjoyed reading about Collin, a chalk artist and waiter, who seemed reasonably happy with his life despite everyone around him telling him that he should be and do more. After the opening pages, it quickly fell apart into an unfocused, seemingly random series of snippets about video games, virtual reality, a teacher trying to reach her students, a teenage girl suffering from angst and confusion, and bits about the interrelated characters with no transitions or depth. I enjoy playing video games, and have even watched my kids play on occasion, but for me, reading endless decriptions of the characters in The Chalk Artist playing a video game was more painful than waiting in line at the DMV.
Book Bingo 2017 - About art/artist(s)
Book Bingo 2017 - About art/artist(s)
ashleykwiebe's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0