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660 reviews by:
saraanneb3
I’m only giving it 4 instead of 5 because it’s clear that the author is fascinated with Dolours Price, and, in my opinion, that results in him being overly sympathetic to her. Otherwise, a powerful book with a compelling way of telling the story of the Troubles
Really amazing book! Here’s the reason for 4, instead of 5: there’s not a lot of depth to the characters, and it ends really abruptly, for me. Otherwise, interesting story and plot, and with a helpful glossary and lots of fascinating cultural descriptions. I felt like I could visualize the city and country Alif lives in.
I know there’s a lot of Harry Potter comparisons, but it doesn’t remind me of HP, other than mentions of the Philosopher’s Stone (which J.K. Rowling did not invent, y’all). It reminds me most of the show The Good Place, esp season 3, and of “Stardust”, and a little of the second two Grisha books.
I know there’s a lot of Harry Potter comparisons, but it doesn’t remind me of HP, other than mentions of the Philosopher’s Stone (which J.K. Rowling did not invent, y’all). It reminds me most of the show The Good Place, esp season 3, and of “Stardust”, and a little of the second two Grisha books.
Okay, so I did know this book was YA, but a lot of YA is marketed that way, but is actually for fully grown adults, so the premise intrigued me, and that’s why I bought it.
This is not a YA book secretly for older adults. This book is for teenagers. And so, in that vein, I give it 3 stars—I think I would have really liked this as a teenager, but it’s not really for me now. For me, now, the writing is simplistic and awkward and made it really hard to get into. Also, it is SO clear that the author knows next to nothing about music—SUCH a mistake to make a character a musician, then!
And yet, the book grew on me. It’s not for me, now, but it warmed my heart with nostalgia, remembering having friendships and relationships that intense, feelings that I thought were the deepest depth and would never end, and she captured that life situation well.
Also, the blurb about the book on most places makes SUCH a big deal out of the love aspect and sex and Sophie. What this book is really about is what happens in an insular relationship where one of the parties is sick and dependent, when the sick person gets well?
Anyhow, three, because good enough for 14 year old me, but not 34 year old me.
This is not a YA book secretly for older adults. This book is for teenagers. And so, in that vein, I give it 3 stars—I think I would have really liked this as a teenager, but it’s not really for me now. For me, now, the writing is simplistic and awkward and made it really hard to get into. Also, it is SO clear that the author knows next to nothing about music—SUCH a mistake to make a character a musician, then!
And yet, the book grew on me. It’s not for me, now, but it warmed my heart with nostalgia, remembering having friendships and relationships that intense, feelings that I thought were the deepest depth and would never end, and she captured that life situation well.
Also, the blurb about the book on most places makes SUCH a big deal out of the love aspect and sex and Sophie. What this book is really about is what happens in an insular relationship where one of the parties is sick and dependent, when the sick person gets well?
Anyhow, three, because good enough for 14 year old me, but not 34 year old me.
I loved this book. Even as I was approaching the end, I thought, “I am going to read this again!”
I loved the development of family over generations, the characters, the varying points of view. It is not as supernatural as the blurb makes it sound: it is about family and secrets and how one decision or one person can change your life, and also that your life CAN change (for better and worse).
Also, random bonus, she used a number of words I had never heard of before, and so it has expanded my vocabulary!
I loved the development of family over generations, the characters, the varying points of view. It is not as supernatural as the blurb makes it sound: it is about family and secrets and how one decision or one person can change your life, and also that your life CAN change (for better and worse).
Also, random bonus, she used a number of words I had never heard of before, and so it has expanded my vocabulary!
Wow! This book. Amazing, stunning, heartbreaking. The writing is gripping, the story is riveting, and the characters are fully-fleshed and vivid.
This book is going to haunt me.
This book is going to haunt me.
Loved this book. This is my kind of weird!
At one point while reading I said to the people I am with “I am having so much fun reading this book!”
I know lots on here didn’t love it, and fair, sometimes a book isn’t for you, but I do think if you approach it assuming it is meant to be funny, you might enjoy it more. There were several parts, especially with the dolls, where I was laughing so hard!
At one point while reading I said to the people I am with “I am having so much fun reading this book!”
I know lots on here didn’t love it, and fair, sometimes a book isn’t for you, but I do think if you approach it assuming it is meant to be funny, you might enjoy it more. There were several parts, especially with the dolls, where I was laughing so hard!
