A review by truestorydesu
The Air We Breathe, by Andrea Barrett
3.0
"Oh, hey another book about a tuberculosis sanatorium! I'll read it!" - my immediate reaction to this book.
It took me about a year to actually get to reading this book. It was...ok. I mean, writing wise, 4/5. Story wise? I really couldn't get into any of the characters. They all seemed flat to me. I guess it has to do with the narrative style - the narrator is an anonymous person in the sanatorium, who basically narrates as a group - he refers to "we" as in all the patients. It was actually a pretty cool narrative choice (TB sanatoriums were notoriously cliquish so that this story is told as the result of all sorts of rumors and speculation makes sense). But the end result was that you really don't get a feel for any of the characters. Miles is a megadouche, Naomi is a drama queen, Eudora needs to grow a spine, and Leo needs a personality, stat. In fact, almost everyone was pretty devoid of personality.
Also, lots of stuff in here about early chemistry. Nearly put me to sleep as it's not my thing, but if you like discussions about Mendeleev, Einstein and a whole ton of outdated chemistry, then this book is definitely for you.
If only Goodreads would let me do half-stars! This book deserves a 3.5 - not as low as a three, but not as high as a four either.
It took me about a year to actually get to reading this book. It was...ok. I mean, writing wise, 4/5. Story wise? I really couldn't get into any of the characters. They all seemed flat to me. I guess it has to do with the narrative style - the narrator is an anonymous person in the sanatorium, who basically narrates as a group - he refers to "we" as in all the patients. It was actually a pretty cool narrative choice (TB sanatoriums were notoriously cliquish so that this story is told as the result of all sorts of rumors and speculation makes sense). But the end result was that you really don't get a feel for any of the characters. Miles is a megadouche, Naomi is a drama queen, Eudora needs to grow a spine, and Leo needs a personality, stat. In fact, almost everyone was pretty devoid of personality.
Also, lots of stuff in here about early chemistry. Nearly put me to sleep as it's not my thing, but if you like discussions about Mendeleev, Einstein and a whole ton of outdated chemistry, then this book is definitely for you.
If only Goodreads would let me do half-stars! This book deserves a 3.5 - not as low as a three, but not as high as a four either.