A review by selendrea
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I've always felt that a good book makes you want to read it twice. Sometimes to re-experience the plot, sometimes because you love the characters. I wanted to re-read this book because I had to rethink everything I thought I knew, about what I originally took at face value. For me, a good book sometimes requires extra time to process. I had to chew on this book a bit, like the sheep and their cud. As someone in a very close relationship, I appreciated the questions it posed about love, truly knowing one another, being alone, and vulnerability. I think this waxing poetic won't be for everyone, but I personally enjoyed how it was woven into the plot. In fact, I finished this book in one day because it had me hooked from the beginning and it was a relatively easy read.

While I liked the ending, I didn't necessarily care for how the book got there. The final portion felt a bit like it dragged, and I found myself just wanting to know how it all ended rather than feeling suspense. However, that is my only critique. If you enjoy mind-bending plots, philosophical questions, and a quiet sense of dread, give this book a go. When you finish the last page, be sure to re-read the first.
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