Scan barcode
clacranes's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
madelinedalton's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book made me think a lot more than the usual 3.5 star book does. Rachel's reflections at the very end were really beautiful and singlehandedly bumped this book up by a half star. I really resonated with her thoughts on "settling." I also thought the redemption arc of one very unlikable member of the core four was executed quite well. That said, this book has many flaws.
I believe the message would have been stronger had we bounced between all four characters throughout 2006-2019, vignette-style, rather than picking one character as the central focus of each year. Much of the chapters were spent recapping what had happened to that particular character since we'd last heard from them. It made the book's pacing wonky and dampened my emotional investment.
I think this book also had an opportunity to explore how socioeconomic status and privilege play a role in how our lives pan out, and it did not take it. Maybe this isn't a bad thing, as it could have cluttered up the book or pigeonholed the author into talking about something she isn't qualified to speak about. But it's not lost on me that the majority of these characters are white and all four of them are very wealthy for at least some portion of the book. The novel explores how past choices and past events affect each character's life in the present; the privileges of going to Northwestern, being surrounded by wealth, and (except for Dev) being white equally impact the paths their lives take, and yet it is hardly discussed.
Not necessarily a flaw, but it's worth mentioning that I correctly predicted which one of them died within the first 80 pages. I don't even remember why I thought it would be that person? I just kind of... knew? It seems like many other readers have had that experience, too. Not necessarily a bad thing--books don't need to have unexpected twists in order to be objectively good--but something to note if you're a reader who needs shock value to enjoy a story.
I believe the message would have been stronger had we bounced between all four characters throughout 2006-2019, vignette-style, rather than picking one character as the central focus of each year. Much of the chapters were spent recapping what had happened to that particular character since we'd last heard from them. It made the book's pacing wonky and dampened my emotional investment.
I think this book also had an opportunity to explore how socioeconomic status and privilege play a role in how our lives pan out, and it did not take it. Maybe this isn't a bad thing, as it could have cluttered up the book or pigeonholed the author into talking about something she isn't qualified to speak about. But it's not lost on me that the majority of these characters are white and all four of them are very wealthy for at least some portion of the book. The novel explores how past choices and past events affect each character's life in the present; the privileges of going to Northwestern, being surrounded by wealth, and (except for Dev) being white equally impact the paths their lives take, and yet it is hardly discussed.
Not necessarily a flaw, but it's worth mentioning that I correctly predicted which one of them died within the first 80 pages. I don't even remember why I thought it would be that person? I just kind of... knew? It seems like many other readers have had that experience, too. Not necessarily a bad thing--books don't need to have unexpected twists in order to be objectively good--but something to note if you're a reader who needs shock value to enjoy a story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
Moderate: Death, Rape, and Grief
More...