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mehrnaz__'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
brinkley's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
sparkles_f's review against another edition
DNF
I have five STEM degrees in various Computer Science areas, I was raised Catholic but have been an atheist, if I'm being honest, since the age of 12 or 13.
I HATED THIS BOOK!
First of all, this is not a comedy--the marketing of this book is absolutely bizarre and I am so confused. And there are no trigger warnings for the r*ape scene or the implied pedophilia.
SECOND--Elizabeth and her daughter are absolutely obnoxious. Elizabeth is a NLoG and her daughter her--4-year-old daughter--has already established herself as a staunch atheist??
??....WAT
Supposedly, her 4-year-old daughter is just a hair's breath away from being accepted to MENSA (Which, my huge issue with that is that the author tells us that she's a genius instead of really showing us. She shows us that the daughter is very arrogant, nauseating, mouthy and disrespectful of most authority i.e. adults) but I had to stop reading when she so convincingly shook the faith of a Harvard educated reverend. Yes....a 4 year-old.
I have five STEM degrees in various Computer Science areas, I was raised Catholic but have been an atheist, if I'm being honest, since the age of 12 or 13.
I HATED THIS BOOK!
First of all, this is not a comedy--the marketing of this book is absolutely bizarre and I am so confused. And there are no trigger warnings for the r*ape scene or the implied pedophilia.
SECOND--Elizabeth and her daughter are absolutely obnoxious. Elizabeth is a NLoG and her daughter her--4-year-old daughter--has already established herself as a staunch atheist??
??....WAT
Supposedly, her 4-year-old daughter is just a hair's breath away from being accepted to MENSA (Which, my huge issue with that is that the author tells us that she's a genius instead of really showing us. She shows us that the daughter is very arrogant, nauseating, mouthy and disrespectful of most authority i.e. adults) but I had to stop reading when she so convincingly shook the faith of a Harvard educated reverend. Yes....a 4 year-old.
justaylin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
hatoiu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
libraryadvokate's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
seokjinramen's review against another edition
3.0
The urge to DNF was so reallllll like some points could have been cut I guess but the end was worth it!
My first finished book of the year but I started listening/reading a month agoooo.... so that's that
My first finished book of the year but I started listening/reading a month agoooo.... so that's that
bethaniekay's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
I've seen others raving about this book, so decided to give it a shot. I read the whole thing in about 24 hours, so in that sense, it was a winner in that it kept me interested. Overall, there were good and bad things about the book.
- There's a heavy dose of feminism in this story, and while I completely agree with the sentiments, it can read a bit preachy (and a lot unrealistic for the time). I got really tired of the constant sexism and misogyny in the story, but sadly that's just the way it was back then.
- Similarly, there's a lot of anti-religious commentary from the protagonists -- and again, while I completely agree and it fits my viewpoints, others may not appreciate it.
- Many have commented that Elizabeth seems robotic and speaks in an unrealistic manner. I didn't take this as poor writing or character development, I took this as her being on the autism spectrum, so it was just who/how she is.
- This book is billed as being "laugh out loud funny", and while there were times I chuckled, it certainly wasn't that funny. On the contrary, there are some really serious and dark subjects discussed, including rape, abuse, and neglect - so reader beware.
- It seems completely unrealistic that Elizabeth could become such a good rower just by studying the physics of it and practicing on a rowing machine, but what do I know. A dog who knows 100 words also seems unrealistic, or a 4-year-old who reads adult books with adult cognition.
- That being said, Six-Thirty was probably my favorite character. I pictured him like an Irish wolfhound or a scruffy greyhound, but am sad to learn that they're casting a labradoodle to play him for the upcoming series on Apple TV. Not only is that anachronistic, but it seems like too much of a 'fancy' breed to truly match.
- I actually didn't care too much about the storyline with Calvin's parentage, but I understand how it had its place, and how it brought the story to a circle/close.
Despite some of the quirks, I still enjoyed this book overall. It was entertaining, and the premise was different, which is refreshing as so many books seem to be the same lately. I'm interested to see how they adapt this to the TV series later this year.
I've seen others raving about this book, so decided to give it a shot. I read the whole thing in about 24 hours, so in that sense, it was a winner in that it kept me interested. Overall, there were good and bad things about the book.
- There's a heavy dose of feminism in this story, and while I completely agree with the sentiments, it can read a bit preachy (and a lot unrealistic for the time). I got really tired of the constant sexism and misogyny in the story, but sadly that's just the way it was back then.
- Similarly, there's a lot of anti-religious commentary from the protagonists -- and again, while I completely agree and it fits my viewpoints, others may not appreciate it.
- Many have commented that Elizabeth seems robotic and speaks in an unrealistic manner. I didn't take this as poor writing or character development, I took this as her being on the autism spectrum, so it was just who/how she is.
- This book is billed as being "laugh out loud funny", and while there were times I chuckled, it certainly wasn't that funny. On the contrary, there are some really serious and dark subjects discussed, including rape, abuse, and neglect - so reader beware.
- It seems completely unrealistic that Elizabeth could become such a good rower just by studying the physics of it and practicing on a rowing machine, but what do I know. A dog who knows 100 words also seems unrealistic, or a 4-year-old who reads adult books with adult cognition.
- That being said, Six-Thirty was probably my favorite character. I pictured him like an Irish wolfhound or a scruffy greyhound, but am sad to learn that they're casting a labradoodle to play him for the upcoming series on Apple TV. Not only is that anachronistic, but it seems like too much of a 'fancy' breed to truly match.
- I actually didn't care too much about the storyline with Calvin's parentage, but I understand how it had its place, and how it brought the story to a circle/close.
Despite some of the quirks, I still enjoyed this book overall. It was entertaining, and the premise was different, which is refreshing as so many books seem to be the same lately. I'm interested to see how they adapt this to the TV series later this year.
books_tea_and_fantasy's review against another edition
5.0
5 ⭐️
Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 10
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 10
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 10
Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 10
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 10
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 10