A review by cheye13
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
adventurous
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this book most upsets be because I wanted to like it so badly.
I enjoy the writing style and think the book is well-crafted. I liked the strength of voice and characterization, and the premise is unique and interesting. The conflict and drama were evocative and I was easily invested in the story.
Yet overall, I... didn't enjoy it. I hated April May, but probably not in the way intended. I have no problem with unlikeable or problematic main characters, and her decisions made sense. But, as a 20something bi woman/lib arts grad in this internet fame climate myself, I found it nearly impossible to relate to her, and not just on a personal level, but on any level at all. I couldn't reconcile her with any other real person I know, and that consistently troubled me.
April May herself also seemed to be a very thin veil for the author (of whom I do consider myself a fan) to moralize on a specific view of fame and politics and the human condition, and while these weren't wholly meaningless points, they were treated as though only The Great April May had ever considered them. I tuned in for some fun aliens and instead got a morality lecture about internet fame that had me thinking "it's not that deep" for a good 90% of the book.
I enjoy the writing style and think the book is well-crafted. I liked the strength of voice and characterization, and the premise is unique and interesting. The conflict and drama were evocative and I was easily invested in the story.
Yet overall, I... didn't enjoy it. I hated April May, but probably not in the way intended. I have no problem with unlikeable or problematic main characters, and her decisions made sense. But, as a 20something bi woman/lib arts grad in this internet fame climate myself, I found it nearly impossible to relate to her, and not just on a personal level, but on any level at all. I couldn't reconcile her with any other real person I know, and that consistently troubled me.
April May herself also seemed to be a very thin veil for the author (of whom I do consider myself a fan) to moralize on a specific view of fame and politics and the human condition, and while these weren't wholly meaningless points, they were treated as though only The Great April May had ever considered them. I tuned in for some fun aliens and instead got a morality lecture about internet fame that had me thinking "it's not that deep" for a good 90% of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Gore, and Grief
regarding fire: