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avo_kadon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lizdemarigny's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a while to get through this book, partially because it's a bit long, and partially because I wasn't ready for it to end. Zusak's "The Book Thief" will always be my favorite, but this story of brothers and how they stay together through tragedies is heartbreakingly beautiful. If you don't do well with stories that jump back and forth it may not be for you, but it's so worth the read if you do pick it up (and you should).
unicorn23's review against another edition
5.0
If you loved The Book Thief (like I did), you're going to love this book. Seldom do I tear up reading a book but he made me tear up reading TBT and now with this one. What a beautifully-written story.
ladoll's review against another edition
5.0
Alright, I won't lie, I had a hard time getting into it. But dear God. Once those boys suck you in, you just can't escape them. The Dunbar boys grow on you and, whether you like it or not, the way they love will break your heart. It's a beautiful tale with beautiful, flawed characters - all that carefully written. The love for the words here is revealing : "poetry".
I've fiercely loved that book even with its slow start. Highly recommend it !
I've fiercely loved that book even with its slow start. Highly recommend it !
mrdietz's review against another edition
3.0
It's tough not to be disappointed by Zusak's latest novel, particularly when I spent so many years eagerly anticipating its release. Although it doesn't pack the emotional punch that The Book Thief, or even I am the Messenger, did, I think I would still recommend it. First, there can be no question that Zusak is a talented writer. I did find much of this book to be too overwritten for me - the metaphors were too distracting, and the constant naming and renaming of characters was excessive. This flowery style of writing works perfectly for an abstract personification like Death in The Book Thief and not quite as well when it's a young man typing the story out on a typewriter.
I love the structure of a twin narrative, where each chapter bounces back and forth between the past and the present. The first few sections involving the history of the Dunbar boys' parents are some of my favorite parts of the novel. The romantic connection is earned. The choice to bounce through time non-chronologically is less enjoyable. As the story progressed, I found myself less engaged in the story.
For a story called Bridge of Clay, there is surprisingly little bridge-building actually taking place. Though it might seem an odd complaint, I would have loved a thorough description of the architecture and labor that goes into constructing a bridge. It's an instance of my expectations not connecting with the novel's intentions, which is my least favorite type of criticism, but it does still remain at the forefront of my mind. Though Clay is the main character, I didn't necessarily see him as that captivating of a figure.
I'm sure that plenty of folks will love this story of a non-traditional Australian family, and I want to like it so much more than I actually do. I can only wonder if the more than ten years spent writing this novel in some way hindered the final creation. Now that Zusak has exorcised this story, I am excited to see what he writes about next. I only hope it doesn't take another decade to produce.
I love the structure of a twin narrative, where each chapter bounces back and forth between the past and the present. The first few sections involving the history of the Dunbar boys' parents are some of my favorite parts of the novel. The romantic connection is earned. The choice to bounce through time non-chronologically is less enjoyable. As the story progressed, I found myself less engaged in the story.
For a story called Bridge of Clay, there is surprisingly little bridge-building actually taking place. Though it might seem an odd complaint, I would have loved a thorough description of the architecture and labor that goes into constructing a bridge. It's an instance of my expectations not connecting with the novel's intentions, which is my least favorite type of criticism, but it does still remain at the forefront of my mind. Though Clay is the main character, I didn't necessarily see him as that captivating of a figure.
I'm sure that plenty of folks will love this story of a non-traditional Australian family, and I want to like it so much more than I actually do. I can only wonder if the more than ten years spent writing this novel in some way hindered the final creation. Now that Zusak has exorcised this story, I am excited to see what he writes about next. I only hope it doesn't take another decade to produce.
gmariecosta's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alexandramillard's review against another edition
5.0
Markus Zusak, du gör mig aldrig besviken.
Sättet den här boken är berättad på kan vara antingen en hit eller en miss, och det här var definitivt en hit. Jag älskar sättet som Zusak aldrig beskriver saker rakt på, utan går den långa omvägen runt tills det slår en, hårt. Och ja, jag förstår att en hel del läsare kan ha svårt för det och många avråder från att skriva på det sättet, men jag är så glad att Zusak gör det iallafall. För han vet verkligen hur det ska göras rätt.
Jag älskar även sättet har beskriver karaktärer, samma där med gester och uttryck istället för raka beskrivningar, och vad man älskar karaktärerna. Så riktiga, så genuina.
Och handlingen, man både vet och har inte den blekaste aning om vad som ska hända. På det bästa möjliga sättet. Slutet... åh, slutet.
Sättet den här boken är berättad på kan vara antingen en hit eller en miss, och det här var definitivt en hit. Jag älskar sättet som Zusak aldrig beskriver saker rakt på, utan går den långa omvägen runt tills det slår en, hårt. Och ja, jag förstår att en hel del läsare kan ha svårt för det och många avråder från att skriva på det sättet, men jag är så glad att Zusak gör det iallafall. För han vet verkligen hur det ska göras rätt.
Jag älskar även sättet har beskriver karaktärer, samma där med gester och uttryck istället för raka beskrivningar, och vad man älskar karaktärerna. Så riktiga, så genuina.
Och handlingen, man både vet och har inte den blekaste aning om vad som ska hända. På det bästa möjliga sättet. Slutet... åh, slutet.
farmer_annie's review against another edition
4.0
I was doubtful at first, but in the end Zusak's affection for the characters won me over, and I cared about them and felt all the feelings! I didn't love the jumping around of chronology or the flowery writing style, but I did keep coming back to it and it held my attention well enough for some long reading sessions.
elliedo's review against another edition
5.0
only markus zusak (and regrettably, cassandra clare) could make me read 600 pages in under three days
in a few days when my heads a bit clearer, i will re-read part one of this novel. it's really really something.
in a few days when my heads a bit clearer, i will re-read part one of this novel. it's really really something.