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lyramadeline's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I had to read this book for school, and I really didn’t like it. There was way too much inappropriate content, and the characters and plot didn’t even make up for it. There was a somewhat positive message at the end, but the plot didn’t really fit with that message very well at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Cursing
Moderate: Violence
scoads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A masterpiece, a story with a unique plot and unique conflicts, one of the more out-there and thought-provoking books I've read in my life, with a very likable (yet unlikable) protagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Death
hayley_cook2's review
This book is terrible. I really expected more from the writer of the book thief. The writing itself is really bad and the story also sucks. The narrator is super creepy and only describes women physically. He even creeps on a 15 year old girl and Mark Zusak paints it as a good thing. I literally cannot keep reading past the part where he lures the whole town to church.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Gun violence
feelsattack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I would give this book a 3.5/5 MAX but I'm giving a 3/5. I felt like the constant sexual thoughts were just so unnecessary and they made me so uncomfortable whenever I had to read them. There's also the problem with how heavy handed this book's message/theme is, and it was already obvious once you get about halfway through the book, but Zusak, if possible, laid it down even heavier at the end. There's a fine line when you're dealing with making something so obvious/heavy handed and it's the difference between enhancing your book or making it... "not as good" (trying to be nice here).
I feel like the ending made it "not as good," and I'm attributing it to the HEAVY HANDEDNESS.
One thing that was really glaring was the way he writes. I don't even know how to explain it, and oddly enough I watched a AClockworkReader's video where she tried to describe this style of writing. It's like, when Zusak writes really short sentences, sometimes even only two words, and then moves to the next line. Let me find an example:
"Lua kisses her.
Just softly on the lips.
And she kisses back.
Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are."
AND IT'S SO ANNOYING. I understand this is an intentional writing choice but it's so annoying. I feel like Zusak has some sub-group of John Scalzi-itis Syndrome, where John Scalzi literally adds "said" after EVERY dialogue, Zusak can't help but use this format of writing ALL THE TIME. It gets annoying after a while. Usually I only see it used occasionally in other books because this style of writing can really enhance a scene, especially if it is an emotional scene, but because Zusak used it so much it lost its effect very quickly.
Otherwise, the book was fine. I enjoyed it.
I feel like the ending made it "not as good," and I'm attributing it to the HEAVY HANDEDNESS.
One thing that was really glaring was the way he writes. I don't even know how to explain it, and oddly enough I watched a AClockworkReader's video where she tried to describe this style of writing. It's like, when Zusak writes really short sentences, sometimes even only two words, and then moves to the next line. Let me find an example:
"Lua kisses her.
Just softly on the lips.
And she kisses back.
Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are."
AND IT'S SO ANNOYING. I understand this is an intentional writing choice but it's so annoying. I feel like Zusak has some sub-group of John Scalzi-itis Syndrome, where John Scalzi literally adds "said" after EVERY dialogue, Zusak can't help but use this format of writing ALL THE TIME. It gets annoying after a while. Usually I only see it used occasionally in other books because this style of writing can really enhance a scene, especially if it is an emotional scene, but because Zusak used it so much it lost its effect very quickly.
Otherwise, the book was fine. I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
csommerlot's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
sophia_konrad's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
amberacks12's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rereading this for the first time, and I would say it mostly holds up to my original review. Hanging out in Ed’s hyper-sexualized brain was not pleasant. But when he wasn’t objectifying every woman/girl he met, this book really hits a spot. It scratches that itch of when you feel powerless in a world that is falling apart, maybe you can still make a difference to those closer to home. And I would say that’s the true message of this book, and why his friends were the denouement.
Enjoyment: 3.5
Educational value: 3
Emotional impact 4.5
Enjoyment: 3.5
Educational value: 3
Emotional impact 4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Dementia, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Violence, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Pregnancy
jordanreads's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I don’t generally read books written by men at this point in my life. This is the exact reason why not.
Talking about her horrible boss at an old job to the narrator:
Talking about her horrible boss at an old job to the narrator:
“[My boss] tried to put his tongue down my throat!”
Narrator: “Well, we’re all kind of like that.”
The narrator’s entire story line talking about how attractive a 15 year old is, while he himself is 19-20 years old.
He watches sexual assault happen to a child multiple times and just watches it happen??
The premise is interesting, but the entire thing was dissatisfying. Disappointed after being excited to read this book.
TW: sexual violence, assault
The premise is interesting, but the entire thing was dissatisfying. Disappointed after being excited to read this book.
TW: sexual violence, assault
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Child abuse