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astridandlouise's Reviews (665)
Really wanted to rate this higher however at 600 pages it was just too long. The second installment in the End of Forever story lost momentum. There were parts where I was fixated and parts that dragged that could've been cut. Hopefully the third book redeems itself as I found the first installment so riveting.
Started slow but pulled me in and read the last two thirds in a day. Stories of normal people navigating their relationships are some of the most intriguing to read, and often I relate it back to interactions I have within my relationships regardless of how different my story is. I really enjoyed reading this one.
I was really unsure when I began reading this book that I would enjoy it. But I decided to persist and I'm so glad I did. It's a compelling and powerful book. I pulled so many comparisons with Winton whilst reading; the style, the young male protagonist, lower class demographic, Australian landscape. I don't want to give anything away as I think it's one of those rare books that you should feel engulf you with no influence from outsiders/critics as you devour it. It contains mesmerizing fabric and you can grasp the passion with which it was written.
I was convinced it would rate 4 stars most of the way throughout however, the chapter Boy Conquers Moon took my breath away and kept my eyes strained trying to read faster and faster so I could get to the next page. I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. Up until this chapter in the book I had no idea where it was going or how it was going to end. It was definitely a wild ride.
I was convinced it would rate 4 stars most of the way throughout however, the chapter Boy Conquers Moon took my breath away and kept my eyes strained trying to read faster and faster so I could get to the next page. I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. Up until this chapter in the book I had no idea where it was going or how it was going to end. It was definitely a wild ride.
AUG 2013:
still an all time fave. i still enjoy reading this book so much. i love the story.
JAN 2000:
this book will always be my favourite book of all time. this book began my love affair with literature and books so i'll always have a soft spot for it.
it follows an 'ethnic' girl through her final year of high school and all the trials and tribulations that come with it: boys, best friends, bullies, bad behaviour, family, constant questioning and confusion.
still an all time fave. i still enjoy reading this book so much. i love the story.
JAN 2000:
this book will always be my favourite book of all time. this book began my love affair with literature and books so i'll always have a soft spot for it.
it follows an 'ethnic' girl through her final year of high school and all the trials and tribulations that come with it: boys, best friends, bullies, bad behaviour, family, constant questioning and confusion.
EDIT
I have to downgrade this to two stars. Have thought about it extensively, but there are just so many better similar books on the market that you'd be better off reading than this.
It played on my mind often that there was a very narrow cross section of women represented in these pages. Powerful, at times yes. All-encompassing, no.
I have to downgrade this to two stars. Have thought about it extensively, but there are just so many better similar books on the market that you'd be better off reading than this.
It played on my mind often that there was a very narrow cross section of women represented in these pages. Powerful, at times yes. All-encompassing, no.
Don't even know how to start this review. It's a hyped release thanks to The Handmaid's Tale TV adaptation and it fell quite short of my expectations, and my expectations of an Atwood narrative in all honesty.
I found this so easy and smooth to read in comparison to The Handmaid's Tale which I really struggled with. Obviously no-one wants to battle their way through a book, but the ease and fluidity of The Testaments highlighted the obvious fact that this was written to appeal to a much broader audience than its predecessor, and I'm going to say it, it didn't read like an Atwood fiction at all. This tale made it feel that they could be two standalone books written by different authors with The Testaments simplistic and "made to please" a hoard of TV fans.
The narrative was just too convenient for me. The precision felt easy and the route felt predictable. Just so much conformity that I definitely do not expect from Atwood. That said, it was engaging to read and I suspect there will be many people who really enjoy it. Unfortunately for me my expectations were set too high and I was left disappointed in the execution of a foreseeable plot.
(nb. This is not an award winning piece of literature.)
I found this so easy and smooth to read in comparison to The Handmaid's Tale which I really struggled with. Obviously no-one wants to battle their way through a book, but the ease and fluidity of The Testaments highlighted the obvious fact that this was written to appeal to a much broader audience than its predecessor, and I'm going to say it, it didn't read like an Atwood fiction at all. This tale made it feel that they could be two standalone books written by different authors with The Testaments simplistic and "made to please" a hoard of TV fans.
The narrative was just too convenient for me. The precision felt easy and the route felt predictable. Just so much conformity that I definitely do not expect from Atwood. That said, it was engaging to read and I suspect there will be many people who really enjoy it. Unfortunately for me my expectations were set too high and I was left disappointed in the execution of a foreseeable plot.
(nb. This is not an award winning piece of literature.)
