roof77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
chel_hop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.0
mg_libros's review against another edition
3.0
93/2023 En un mundo distópico la gente se muere porque no puede dormir. Pero algunas personas sí duermen bien y pueden donar su sueño para salvar a otros. Los mejores donantes son los bebés, claro, y ahí tenemos el conflicto entre la familia del bebé y la agente que quiere mantenerla en el programa de donación.
Está todo muy bien y me ha interesado bastante, aunque habría preferido que tuviese final.
Está todo muy bien y me ha interesado bastante, aunque habría preferido que tuviese final.
kandicez's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to love this. The "voice" of the story was good, and I enjoyed the flow, but there were also a lot of issues I just couldn't overlook.
First, the set up. The idea that these Storch brothers would give up their million dollar business to perform a public service was a bit ridiculous. You know there's a catch. I guess I wanted the catch to be more original.
The premise was good. I compared it to the need for blood and the idea of blood banks and mobiles. I remember when AIDS first came about when I was in high school (remember, it was called GRID first?) and the process for donating blood became much more intense. It was no longer, "You are willing to give, we are willing to take." It became much more intensely monitored. That part of the story I enjoyed. What I didn't enjoy was the almost flip way the possible dangers of sleep donation were dealt with.
I also wanted an ending. This just didn't cut it for me.
First, the set up. The idea that these Storch brothers would give up their million dollar business to perform a public service was a bit ridiculous. You know there's a catch. I guess I wanted the catch to be more original.
The premise was good. I compared it to the need for blood and the idea of blood banks and mobiles. I remember when AIDS first came about when I was in high school (remember, it was called GRID first?) and the process for donating blood became much more intense. It was no longer, "You are willing to give, we are willing to take." It became much more intensely monitored. That part of the story I enjoyed. What I didn't enjoy was the almost flip way the possible dangers of sleep donation were dealt with.
I also wanted an ending. This just didn't cut it for me.
emilyinherhead's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The concept of this short novel—that a pandemic of insomnia is sweeping the nation, and then spreading around the world—is SO terrifying and unsettling. Karen Russell is truly a pro at creating a building sense of unease. This is a perfect book to read in one sitting during an autumn weekend.
nicandrasy's review against another edition
3.0
This is a really interesting concept. I felt like it could definitely use some more information. I'm not sure I like the ending, but overall interesting read.
curiousnoel's review
3.0
The prose is absolutely wonderful, there were countless passages that I read and re-read a couple times because they were so delightfully worded. And the premise was right up my alley. But narratively, it wasn’t as strong of a story as I would have liked. Still a worthwhile experience though.
fearlessreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
marissalevien's review against another edition
3.0
Wanted to love this; it's got a great story idea, but most of the characters are written at arm's length, it's hard to get in their heads or feel their motivations.