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jamii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
justovereherereading's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
This book left me a bit Bewildered if I’m honest. I loved it as much as I didn’t…I don’t know how to explain it because I’m not sure I even fully understood some aspects of the book, it was as simple as it was complex! The book is futuristic in a present sense & otherworldly in an earthly sense…I think it just went over my head in some ways with all the scientific language and the planet explanations!
The ending is both sad and hopeful at the same time!
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Infidelity, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death and Self harm
mmmmkay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Grief and Car accident
Minor: Animal death
bookscoffeehayley's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
internationalreads's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
scocco32's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
rynicolereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"Through the circle of trees, so sharp it seemed within easy reach, the Milky Way spilled out—countless speckled placers in a black streambed. If you held still, you could almost see the stars wheel."
I was nervous that I wouldn't connect with the science fiction part of the story, but I ended up enjoying those moments. This book feels more literary than SciFi, which is likely why it worked so well for me. I had a few qualms with some of the character's actions and decisions, but I don't personally need to love a character to love a book. Overall, I found Bewilderment to be incredibly moving and so beautifully written.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty
alexhaydon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- 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
I loved the bond between Theo and Robin, the fact that Theo accepted Robin for who he was and didn’t try to change him. Robin made my heart ache, especially since he reminded me of one of my own children at a similar age. I loved the way homeschooling was incorporated into the plot. I’m obviously biased since I homeschooled for more than 20 years and it certainly isn’t an option for everyone, but sometimes the problem is the system not the child. Or at least the system’s inability to accommodate the child. Theo and Robin’s love of the natural world and the way it provided an element of healing rang very true. The environmental crisis and the threat posed by climate change were prominent themes. Some readers found that too heavy handed but I’m not sure it is possible to overplay those factors in today’s world. I loved the writing, particularly the way it captured the beauty of the the natural world.
A few things didn’t work for me. Occasionally the interplanetary research and the neurofeedback experiments got too technical and the Greta Thunberg and Donald Trump characters took me out of the story. Since I don’t read a lot of sci-fi and haven’t read Flowers for Algernon I’m not in a position to appreciate or critique those aspects of Bewilderment .
Final Verdict - This book was much more hit than miss for me. A touchingly written novel about a father-son relationship that highlights the wonders of the natural world and the many threats it faces.
Graphic: Grief