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carolinewithane's Reviews (647)
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this is the first book i’ve finished in 2021, but i predict it will be on my favourites-of-the-year list.
some books have plot twists that leave you dumbfounded, jaw on the floor, thinking “how did i not see this coming?”.
and some books have plot twists—terrible plot twists—that you see coming, and it’s even worse, because you keep turning the pages hoping against hope you were wrong.
“the binding” evoked a raw, intense dread in me in the first pages, when i predicted the twist. the more i read, the more certain i was that i was right, and the more i hated it.
it happened, and i hated it even more.
because it broke my heart.
this book isn’t perfect. i wish the ending was longer. i wish the worldbuilding was more detailed. i wish the magic system was better developed.
but this book is about longing, and wanting, and wishing. it’s about the power of books, and the power of memories. so i guess it’s fitting it's left me feeling like something is missing from my chest.
tw: homophobia, sexual abuse,outing .
some books have plot twists that leave you dumbfounded, jaw on the floor, thinking “how did i not see this coming?”.
and some books have plot twists—terrible plot twists—that you see coming, and it’s even worse, because you keep turning the pages hoping against hope you were wrong.
“the binding” evoked a raw, intense dread in me in the first pages, when i predicted the twist. the more i read, the more certain i was that i was right, and the more i hated it.
it happened, and i hated it even more.
because it broke my heart.
this book isn’t perfect. i wish the ending was longer. i wish the worldbuilding was more detailed. i wish the magic system was better developed.
but this book is about longing, and wanting, and wishing. it’s about the power of books, and the power of memories. so i guess it’s fitting it's left me feeling like something is missing from my chest.
tw: homophobia, sexual abuse,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Homophobia, Suicide
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Infidelity
not that high of a rating, but i did enjoy it a lot! i plan to continue the series and the ending has me hopeful we'll see more action and character development in the future instalments.
a heartfelt, funny, profound story about loss and life and the connections between people.
up there with "a man called ove" on a list of Backman's best works <3
up there with "a man called ove" on a list of Backman's best works <3
it took me a while to get into this one, and i didn't love it nearly as much as i loved Beartown and A Man Called Ove, but this was actually really adorable and i absolutely loved elsa.
yes, i cried.
(well, got misty eyed.)
((it still means something for someone who NEVER cries, except apparently with any book written by Fredrik Backman))
yes, i cried.
(well, got misty eyed.)
((it still means something for someone who NEVER cries, except apparently with any book written by Fredrik Backman))
although it lags a bit in the middle, this is a fun, creative and engaging novel. i loved learning about different creatures from Japanese folklore. and that ending! more, please.
highly recommend the audiobook too. there are three narrators and they're all awesome.
highly recommend the audiobook too. there are three narrators and they're all awesome.
april genevieve tucholke’s books are best appreciated on audio, as you can pretend a storyteller is narrating a long-lost tale in front of a low burning pyre.
this one, though, didn’t feel as mystical as “the boneless mercies”. the characters were very forgettable. it’s only been a couple of days since i’ve finished it and i find myself hard-pressed to remember anyone’s name.
i do hope she writes more stories set in this world, though. i feel like there is much left to explore, things we only got hints of.
this one, though, didn’t feel as mystical as “the boneless mercies”. the characters were very forgettable. it’s only been a couple of days since i’ve finished it and i find myself hard-pressed to remember anyone’s name.
i do hope she writes more stories set in this world, though. i feel like there is much left to explore, things we only got hints of.
i’ll never be able to explain what this book means to me.
you should read it—everyone should read it—but especially if you’ve ever loved a grumpy old man.
i miss you, vô.
you should read it—everyone should read it—but especially if you’ve ever loved a grumpy old man.
i miss you, vô.