The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
katewhite77's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I never knew Tolstoy could be so readable.
The short novella packs so much in to a short page. It discusses the biggest philosophical question of all. Life and the meaning of it and in doing so warns against taking life for granted.Â
The short novella packs so much in to a short page. It discusses the biggest philosophical question of all. Life and the meaning of it and in doing so warns against taking life for granted.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
atuin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
A beautiful work focusing on the meaning of life and death. The main characters introspection of whether he lived a good life is something everyone can relate to, and this should be required reading to make sure no one makes the same mistake as the main character in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
annabellw06_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death
mariavdl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
imrath's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
theabee's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A frank look at death and characters confronting it, the surface signs of success but an unsatisfying internal sense of mediocrity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship
pillswor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A truly beautiful short story on the experience of death from Tolstoy's own reflection upon faith and religion. I could do without the incredibly repetitive and mundane introduction which makes up half the length of the book. Tolstoy's transformative writing really gets dragged down by Blythe's surface level and faux deep analysis of a text which plainly puts everything at your feet already. I appreciate the real historical context as to what Tolstoy's life was when writing the story though.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts
It is just a story about a man's experience dying. If you're not comfortable with death, topics surrounding it, or the emotions wrapped up in a terminal illness, don't read.venusynth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A quick and somber read. It helped me realise the enigmatic nature of death, and nudged me to just appreciate the here and now. Not quite as impactful but I still enjoyed following Ivan to his death, as sadistic as that may sound, because I liked how Tolstoy wrote Ivan's disbelief, fear, and the myriad of emotions that come with realising that the only reason he is suffering is an impending death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship
catnip's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
This is a book about a man dying.
It’s about terminal illness and isolation in dying moments. It’s painfully honest.
And I’m giving it a 5-star review. Yep. I’m fine and sober. Maybe too sober. Lol
I devoured this in one sitting. It’s a very short read and it’s also fast-paced. I like that it’s straight to the point: you’re wrong if you think you’re living your best life because you did everything that’s expected of you.Â
Stop sabotaging your best life by gaining approval from people who are not even gonna show up and hold your hand in your deathbed.Â
And also, maybe let’s stop denying the inevitability of death?
It’s about terminal illness and isolation in dying moments. It’s painfully honest.
And I’m giving it a 5-star review. Yep. I’m fine and sober. Maybe too sober. Lol
I devoured this in one sitting. It’s a very short read and it’s also fast-paced. I like that it’s straight to the point: you’re wrong if you think you’re living your best life because you did everything that’s expected of you.Â
Stop sabotaging your best life by gaining approval from people who are not even gonna show up and hold your hand in your deathbed.Â
And also, maybe let’s stop denying the inevitability of death?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
bethantg's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death
Moderate: Medical content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy