hollyenglish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I found it took me a little longer to feel invested compared to other books I've read by this author (where, to be fair, I've been instantly hooked). But I read the second half of the book in a day, I couldn't put it down. The anxiety I felt in the descriptions of the flu outbreak and some of the more tense post-pandemic scenes is a testament to how well-written this book is. Emily St John Mandel is such a skilful writer, both in the eloquence of her prose and the way she weaves different characters and timelines with such clarity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
r_zoner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Pandemic/Epidemic
kdomps's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I didn't want to read another book about the pandemic but what makes this book truly impressive is that Mandel published it far sooner than the covid pandemic of 2020.
It was a bit triggering for me but I was able to get through it because of the human-ness of the characters. I found it to be very suspenseful and finished it quickly despite its length and my reluctance to revisit pandemic life. Very good job, would recommend to lovers of apocalyptic stories and sci-fi.
It was a bit triggering for me but I was able to get through it because of the human-ness of the characters. I found it to be very suspenseful and finished it quickly despite its length and my reluctance to revisit pandemic life. Very good job, would recommend to lovers of apocalyptic stories and sci-fi.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Violence, and Rape
bcrowes11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Terminal illness, and Gun violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Murder, Gun violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
mishellsch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I see how this novel and the miniseries about a deadly flu and the resulting dystopia flew under the radar while we were experiencing our own pandemic.
Now to finish the last few episodes of the miniseries. The miniseries adjusted some of the characters' storylines to help format the plot for the screen. So far, I don't mind the changes.
Now to finish the last few episodes of the miniseries. The miniseries adjusted some of the characters' storylines to help format the plot for the screen. So far, I don't mind the changes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Suicide
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
jdromsky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Survival is insufficient. This is the main premise of the book and my main thought when reading apocalypse novels. They typically show what happens in the immediate aftermath, but this addresses what happens YEARS later when the world is sick of just surviving.
Ultimately, we must keep moving forward. We as human being are always moving forward looking for what’s next.
This book perfectly captured that base need.
It’s one of those books you want your English teacher to ask you to write an essay about I think.
Ultimately, we must keep moving forward. We as human being are always moving forward looking for what’s next.
This book perfectly captured that base need.
It’s one of those books you want your English teacher to ask you to write an essay about I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Pandemic/Epidemic
paularize's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
americattt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
“A deer crossed the road ahead and paused to look at them before it vanished into the trees. The beauty of this world where almost everyone was gone. If hell is other people, what is a world with almost no people in it? Perhaps soon humanity would simply flicker out, but Kirsten found this thought more peaceful than sad. So many species had appeared and later vanished from this earth; what was one more?”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Rape
mari_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I made the mistake of/ had the fortune to read this book while on a 24hr travel day in 2023 - just three years after our world was changed totally by the pandemic. I had chills for the whole read while on the plane. It’s incredible to read so much of how I’ve felt about the past few years on a page. It was like historical fiction of our present challenges, though obviously COVID didn’t take our society as close to the edge as in the book. I highly recommend for anyone who wants a poetic, challenging reading of society in decay. Lots of trigger warnings for many dark themes. At the end I was left feeling a deep sense of gratitude for how our world met our pandemic moment despite how deeply flawed, and the miracles of our modern technology. This is not for people who don’t like Shakespeare, this was probably maximum Shakespeare for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Blood, Kidnapping, Slavery, Suicide, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, and War
quinnyquinnquinn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide and Rape