Reviews

The Invention of Everything Else by Samantha Hunt

jtlars7's review against another edition

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I enjoyed this when I picked it up, but I've been reading it over WEEKS and have been having trouble sustaining interest in picking it up. Other books were due at the library, and I decided to just give up and return it too.

lynnerm's review against another edition

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It’s not the book, it’s me. 

kiramke's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious
  • 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

4.5

Every retelling of Tesla's story will capture my attention and heart, even if he's become trendy or passed from the trend again.  And to have Hunt tell the story? Wonderful.  Compelling, so many insights and thoughts on capitalism and dreams and humanity.  

abe389's review against another edition

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funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I weirdly struggled to focus on this one even tho when I did I enjoyed it? 

silverjennydollar's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

emmashutup's review against another edition

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Samantha Hunt is a skilled writer, but something about her version of Tesla didn’t click with me. Maybe I just don’t care about the finer points of electrical inventions. 

carolynf's review against another edition

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4.0

An interesting work of historical fiction featuring Nicoli Tesla, plus a little Mark Twain. The fantasy aspects were much more minor than I had hoped, but still good.

baronessekat's review

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I gave it a shot. But when I found myself actively finding other things to do other than listening to this book, and when I did listen, I had to constantly rewind because I found my mind wandering, I realized it just wasn't going to happen.

Which is a shame, as it sounded interesting. Tesla and a friendship he had in the last bit of his life.

I can't say what it was that didn't draw me in, if it was the writing, the reading, the story, or just my frame of mind. But sometimes you just have to give up on something. And sadly , this was one of those times.

hashtag_alison's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a lovely, magical read. In that it incorporated elements of magical realism to complement the legendary aura which makes Tesla such a fascinating subject for a novel to begin with. It was a nice, unexpected touch for a historical novel about a scientist.

I also liked it because it didn’t fall into the trap that stories with multiple protagonists fall into where it gets too crowded. Too many books with multiple viewpoints stretch themselves too far and fail to make any of them relatable or sympathetic. Didn’t happen here, and I appreciate that. Maybe that’s just bad writing and has nothing to do with the number of perspectives, but that’s where I notice it most.

I really liked Louisa’s character. As a total mess of a human being, there aren’t many female characters I’ve come across that I relate to as much as her.

Definitely recommend this book.

marianatole's review against another edition

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3.0

Copy and pasted conversational thoughts: I have been trying to decide how exactly I feel about it! it was well written (its prose was lovely, and for the most part, the organization and narrative were very good too) and had beautiful ideas but it wasn't as full-bodied as I needed them to be (if that makes sense) in order for me to really like/savor the book and to recommend it to others. usually I give a book four stars if I would read it again or would recommend it to someone else, and this didn't quite make the cut. it was close though! ultimately I would say it's Not Exactly Meh, it has its moments, but there wasn't too great an impact left on me, personally. I can see where and how it's a well constructed piece of prose though and how that makes it Good, but something was just missing for me...