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laurapoulosky's review against another edition
3.0
This would be a 3.5-star book for me if I had that option. The main characters were sympathetic and engaging, and the writing style was direct and solid. I also liked the elements of mystery to it. As you might guess from the title, the book is pretty depressing overall. But it does have uplifting moments. It was a quick read that kept me busy while I was suffering from a stomach bug yesterday.
darlingqod's review against another edition
4.0
Funny thing here is that the synopsis is pretty far off from the actual story.
It's pretty much good to stand up on its own, the story. But if you're pretty keen on stories sticking to their synopsis and dust jacket descriptions, then you're probably gonna dislike this.
I mean the synopsis rounds out and about what actually happens, it's still pretty deceiving because what really happened will pretty much seem a little less than what you could have expected?
So, if you're setting your expectations real high for this, drop them right now. I'm not saying this because they wouldn't meet those expectations; I'm saying this because you just have to jive in on what's happening and enjoy the ride because this novel is promising.
It's pretty much good to stand up on its own, the story. But if you're pretty keen on stories sticking to their synopsis and dust jacket descriptions, then you're probably gonna dislike this.
I mean the synopsis rounds out and about what actually happens, it's still pretty deceiving because what really happened will pretty much seem a little less than what you could have expected?
So, if you're setting your expectations real high for this, drop them right now. I'm not saying this because they wouldn't meet those expectations; I'm saying this because you just have to jive in on what's happening and enjoy the ride because this novel is promising.
mizusensei's review against another edition
4.0
I liked how this book was written; it isn't wordy and it gets straight to the point, kind of how a YA fiction must be written. The story, however, didn't pull that much heartstrings on me. I was also a bit disappointed that the resolution given wasn't what I was expecting.
narteest's review against another edition
4.0
Unexpectedly good
More review later
U P D A T E
I will not lie, when I first got my hands on this book, I was hesitant because I was expecting a book similar to [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|1217100|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333822506s/1217100.jpg|2588213]--a book I really loved when I read it when it first debuted.
But boy was I wrong. And you know, I'm glad that I was, because this turned out to be a really nice pleasantly engaging surprise.
Sam is actually, for a guy a really easy to relate character. I think I liked him more because for him (unlike Greg in [b:Me and Earl and the Dying Girl|12700353|Me and Earl and the Dying Girl|Jesse Andrews|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337216932s/12700353.jpg|17831620]), it was more about knowing why did Hayden die rather than 'how pathetic am I'. You really get to empathise with Sam throughout the whole story.
Sam's story begins quite normally like any contemporary novel. He finds Hayden dead, and then there's the funeral. Right from the start I was really engaged with the story--although the playlist Hayden left behind wasn't really much of a clue to what was happening in the story, but then you don't realise it until the mystery starts to unravel.
At first you kinda wonder what's happening. I mean there's a playlist, a very innocent playlist left behind by Hayden with the suicide note, and in a way, I feel like it was Thirteen Reasons Why. But of course, this story is really different in the sense that the playlist is important because of what the songs mean, whereas in Thirteen Reasons Why, you have a set of cassettes with voice recordings of the girl who died. So Yes I know there is a major difference between the two books, but you can't blame me for feeling as if they could be the same...I know the only similarity is that both protagonists have someone who died and left behind something for the protagonists to listen to. Still it's not my fault they sounded the same to me!
But where Thirteen Reasons Why is a retelling of what happened, Playlist for the Dead is a telling of a mystery to be unfolded. Each song on the playlist that's left behind for Hayden's best friend to listen to, marks some important event, and eventually leads Sam to the real story behind his suicide. It's a mystery, only you don't find a killer, the killer isn't one person, but it's a whole bunch of reasons that added to the final blow.
While I absolutely loved this mystery approach to suicide (and it makes it interesting as well as touching) I gotta say, there were some things at the end that bothered me, like how Ryan (Hayden's brother) and Sam call a truce. I feel that Ryan's story wasn't given as much attention as it probably should have.
All the characters who played a significant role in this story otherwise, were well formed and empathic. They were interesting and relateable, and also, had good intentions that lead to some of the not so brightest actions. I liked seeing the pain in each character, and I liked how Flakoff slowly built up the mystery--the mystery serious deepened when someone hacked into Hayden's account and contacted Sam. It was somewhat creepy, but not overly creepy, and the anticipation pushed the mystery onwards.
I will sadly admit that I found the mystery/thriller aspect of this normal ten times more engaging than if it was just Sam going about life after Hayden died. Falkoff really has a way with building up the mystery and making Sam an unofficial detective in the sense that he goes around asking people about what happened on the last night Hayden was alive, but never actually taking on a 'detective' role.
Overall I would recommend it as a suggestive read for contemporary readers, and those who want a little bit of mystery mixed in their reading diet lol.
More review later
U P D A T E
I will not lie, when I first got my hands on this book, I was hesitant because I was expecting a book similar to [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|1217100|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333822506s/1217100.jpg|2588213]--a book I really loved when I read it when it first debuted.
But boy was I wrong. And you know, I'm glad that I was, because this turned out to be a really nice pleasantly engaging surprise.
Sam is actually, for a guy a really easy to relate character. I think I liked him more because for him (unlike Greg in [b:Me and Earl and the Dying Girl|12700353|Me and Earl and the Dying Girl|Jesse Andrews|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337216932s/12700353.jpg|17831620]), it was more about knowing why did Hayden die rather than 'how pathetic am I'. You really get to empathise with Sam throughout the whole story.
Sam's story begins quite normally like any contemporary novel. He finds Hayden dead, and then there's the funeral. Right from the start I was really engaged with the story--although the playlist Hayden left behind wasn't really much of a clue to what was happening in the story, but then you don't realise it until the mystery starts to unravel.
At first you kinda wonder what's happening. I mean there's a playlist, a very innocent playlist left behind by Hayden with the suicide note, and in a way, I feel like it was Thirteen Reasons Why. But of course, this story is really different in the sense that the playlist is important because of what the songs mean, whereas in Thirteen Reasons Why, you have a set of cassettes with voice recordings of the girl who died. So Yes I know there is a major difference between the two books, but you can't blame me for feeling as if they could be the same...I know the only similarity is that both protagonists have someone who died and left behind something for the protagonists to listen to. Still it's not my fault they sounded the same to me!
But where Thirteen Reasons Why is a retelling of what happened, Playlist for the Dead is a telling of a mystery to be unfolded. Each song on the playlist that's left behind for Hayden's best friend to listen to, marks some important event, and eventually leads Sam to the real story behind his suicide. It's a mystery, only you don't find a killer, the killer isn't one person, but it's a whole bunch of reasons that added to the final blow.
While I absolutely loved this mystery approach to suicide (and it makes it interesting as well as touching) I gotta say, there were some things at the end that bothered me, like how Ryan (Hayden's brother) and Sam call a truce. I feel that Ryan's story wasn't given as much attention as it probably should have.
All the characters who played a significant role in this story otherwise, were well formed and empathic. They were interesting and relateable, and also, had good intentions that lead to some of the not so brightest actions. I liked seeing the pain in each character, and I liked how Flakoff slowly built up the mystery--the mystery serious deepened when someone hacked into Hayden's account and contacted Sam. It was somewhat creepy, but not overly creepy, and the anticipation pushed the mystery onwards.
I will sadly admit that I found the mystery/thriller aspect of this normal ten times more engaging than if it was just Sam going about life after Hayden died. Falkoff really has a way with building up the mystery and making Sam an unofficial detective in the sense that he goes around asking people about what happened on the last night Hayden was alive, but never actually taking on a 'detective' role.
Overall I would recommend it as a suggestive read for contemporary readers, and those who want a little bit of mystery mixed in their reading diet lol.
ritchtea2's review against another edition
4.0
The songs with each chapter resonated with me and I could understand of what Hayden was thinking with each one. It's an insight into another's perspective of teenage suicide and reminded me a little of thirteen reasons why.
A beautiful and sad book.
A beautiful and sad book.
thekohanacritique's review against another edition
4.0
The story in the book had it's thrills and tears and it was definitely worth reading in one seating (from night to dawn). Kind of want the book to be turned into a movie. (also gave me subtle "Looking for Alaska" vibes but VERY different stories).
Michelle Falkoff's debut novel really wove the story with the characters really well along with the background and theme settings. Most reviews shall argue about how not much has been spoken in detail and elaborately about suicide & it's cause & effects, but I personally think, after reading the book, that it was not the point - this book was not a suicide-awareness book. The story in this book was about coping with it, how people blame it, how friends & families realize (and not realize) their shortcomings before & after the tragedy, help arrives when it's late, and most of all teens growing up - friendships, disabilities, hopes, dreams, parents, obligations and wanting and secrets. How they are all such intricate developments, positions, and cravings in their lives and how intimate it is to each of them and how they feel that it isolates them from everyone. It's not about crippling anxiety or being an "introvert/extrovert", "nerdy/geeky" and labels put upon their back. It's not about who us to blame. What matter is when the deed is done, the quest begins - perhaps pointless but more like seeking answers for repents & salvation.
It's not a complicated story, but a definitely sad one indeed. Specially if one reads per chapter with the song mentioned. The play-list definitely goes with the vibe & theme with the story and connected. They really hit you & makes you a bit more sadder while reading & understanding why those specific songs were chosen.
There is no person to blame - it's no one and everyone and someone altogether; the shortcomings come from all side & it is almost always too late but we can never give up on ourselves even if the realest thing slips from our hands when we've finally found after years after delusions.
Michelle Falkoff's debut novel really wove the story with the characters really well along with the background and theme settings. Most reviews shall argue about how not much has been spoken in detail and elaborately about suicide & it's cause & effects, but I personally think, after reading the book, that it was not the point - this book was not a suicide-awareness book. The story in this book was about coping with it, how people blame it, how friends & families realize (and not realize) their shortcomings before & after the tragedy, help arrives when it's late, and most of all teens growing up - friendships, disabilities, hopes, dreams, parents, obligations and wanting and secrets. How they are all such intricate developments, positions, and cravings in their lives and how intimate it is to each of them and how they feel that it isolates them from everyone. It's not about crippling anxiety or being an "introvert/extrovert", "nerdy/geeky" and labels put upon their back. It's not about who us to blame. What matter is when the deed is done, the quest begins - perhaps pointless but more like seeking answers for repents & salvation.
It's not a complicated story, but a definitely sad one indeed. Specially if one reads per chapter with the song mentioned. The play-list definitely goes with the vibe & theme with the story and connected. They really hit you & makes you a bit more sadder while reading & understanding why those specific songs were chosen.
There is no person to blame - it's no one and everyone and someone altogether; the shortcomings come from all side & it is almost always too late but we can never give up on ourselves even if the realest thing slips from our hands when we've finally found after years after delusions.
zomvrex's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0