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keen23's review against another edition
4.0
I know this book has mixed reviews, especially the ending, but I enjoyed it. Not the best book I've read this year, but better than most.
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
4.0
This is a thoughtful and rather quiet book that is much more interested in addressing the stories of those left behind the rapture-like event than the story of what actually happened to those who left (so, yeah, the title).
The main characters come mostly from the same family, with the exception of Nora, whose story is more tragic than most. They are all trying to cope with the first loss--the uncontrollable loss. But as the story progresses, the losses the characters face are caused by choice, and it begs the question, what's worse: to be left by someone who didn't control their leaving or by someone who chose to walk away?
The narrator, Dennis Boutsikaris, does a great job reading this. He doesn't act in any way and he barely changes his voice as he moves from male to female, teenaged girl to middle-aged father.
And a final note on the likeness of the book to the new HBO mini-series (the second episode airs tonight [Jul. 6, 2014]): the show seems to have sucked out all of the good black humor and quotidian mourning and replaced it with super serious actors doing super serious things, like rioting, shooting packs of dogs, and storming into the GR compound to retrieve a spouse. None of this takes place in the book, and thank goodness for that.
The main characters come mostly from the same family, with the exception of Nora, whose story is more tragic than most. They are all trying to cope with the first loss--the uncontrollable loss. But as the story progresses, the losses the characters face are caused by choice, and it begs the question, what's worse: to be left by someone who didn't control their leaving or by someone who chose to walk away?
The narrator, Dennis Boutsikaris, does a great job reading this. He doesn't act in any way and he barely changes his voice as he moves from male to female, teenaged girl to middle-aged father.
And a final note on the likeness of the book to the new HBO mini-series (the second episode airs tonight [Jul. 6, 2014]): the show seems to have sucked out all of the good black humor and quotidian mourning and replaced it with super serious actors doing super serious things, like rioting, shooting packs of dogs, and storming into the GR compound to retrieve a spouse. None of this takes place in the book, and thank goodness for that.
pyrex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
kulman's review against another edition
4.0
I can see how the popularity of this book is partially based on intentional false premise - that it's "the best Twilight Zone episode you never saw". So if you expect the sense of wonder or mystery that typically followed those series then better get ready for huge disappointment - it never comes (shame on you, Mr. King).
The plot turns out to be mainly simple description of neighborhood life after Departure. But it's written really well so if you change your mind setting toward this book asap then you have chance to be satisfied.
But I can totally understand low ranking of this book for the reasons mentioned.
The plot turns out to be mainly simple description of neighborhood life after Departure. But it's written really well so if you change your mind setting toward this book asap then you have chance to be satisfied.
But I can totally understand low ranking of this book for the reasons mentioned.
cnmartin's review against another edition
2.0
This book was great in theory, but poorly executed. It started out building a lot of back story, which I thought would establish an interesting narrative, but I was wrong. Instead, I ended up asking myself, "Is something going to happen?" And no. Nothing happens. Three hundred and fifty-five pages of nothingness.
Then, very much like the the people that disappeared in the novel, the ending vanished; "the Rapture" swooped in and took the end of what could have been a really good story.
Had I known you could write a novel that was essentially "a day in the life of Average Joe", I would chronicle my life and publish the hell out of it just to say I could.
Then, very much like the the people that disappeared in the novel, the ending vanished; "the Rapture" swooped in and took the end of what could have been a really good story.
Had I known you could write a novel that was essentially "a day in the life of Average Joe", I would chronicle my life and publish the hell out of it just to say I could.
dunnadam's review against another edition
3.0
I heard this was being made into a TV show starring Justin Theroux, who I like. The concept sounded good, and I enjoyed the movie Little Children and had always wanted to read that book.
Really, I should have read Little Children.
This book was okay, basically after the rapture, a lot of cults form and people feel more lost and without purpose than normal. Plus there's a lot of grief for those who are gone.
That's kind of it. I hoped more would happen, it didn't. I hoped I'd care about the characters more but didn't really. I came to like the watcher who worked with Meg best but I can't even remember her name right now, and I finished the book less than an hour ago. That's not a good sign.
It was a lite distraction, I feel I'll like the show more.
Really, I should have read Little Children.
This book was okay, basically after the rapture, a lot of cults form and people feel more lost and without purpose than normal. Plus there's a lot of grief for those who are gone.
That's kind of it. I hoped more would happen, it didn't. I hoped I'd care about the characters more but didn't really. I came to like the watcher who worked with Meg best but I can't even remember her name right now, and I finished the book less than an hour ago. That's not a good sign.
It was a lite distraction, I feel I'll like the show more.
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
4.0
I usually don’t like books that leave a lot of questions unanswered, but it didn’t bother me with this one. It’s pretty clear from the beginning that you’re not going to figure everything out and that’s not the point of the story. It’s sort of a character study in how people deal with tragedy, made even more interesting by the fear and uncertainty thrown in as well. Though I am myself a Christian, I like that this book puts quite a spin on the traditional view of the Rapture. Without too much preaching, it makes the point that no one can rightly judge other people because now matter how much someone thinks they know about God, or whatever divine being they believe in, no one can truly know what is going to happen. It’s also interesting that science offers no plausible explanations either. I walked away from the book with the feeling that no matter what we believe, we don’t have all the answers and probably never will. That’s a scary thought, but it’s worth thinking about. I found other aspects of the story pleasing as well. The characters are multidimensional and they feel real. Their reactions to the disappearances are fascinating and made me think about what I would do. There’s not a lot of action, but I got sucked in just the same. The whole thing is going to stick with me for quite a while, for sure.
jmcowling's review against another edition
2.0
I must have missed the point. Interesting premise but never went any where.
The ending really disappoints.
The ending really disappoints.
beanjoles's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0