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patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
Kat's whole life is online, so when she is targeted by trolls, she faces deleting her entire existence. Little does she know that feeling invisible to the world, is the first stage of the fade. Can she find a connection to stop her fading away for good? And does she want to?
The concept behind this reminds me a little of a Buffy episode where a girl is ignored so much she turns invisible. But in All the Lonely People, the forgotten slowly fade from existence too. Kat meets another girl fading at the same time as her, someone who might be her first real offline friend.
This is the first book I've come across that has attempted to explore the reasons why young men start trolling. It's very easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and say they are just bad people, but often they are lonely and vulnerable to the real bad guys. I think we all know there are ringleaders, who manipulate their followers whilst keeping plausible deniability when things goes wrong.
Wes just wants somewhere to belong, unfortunately the only place he can find that is an online community harbouring women-hating trolls. His father and older brother abandoned his family, leaving his single mother scraping by, relying on handouts and the kindness of strangers. He thinks that his father left him because he wasn't man enough, and he is determined to look after his mum and sister. David Owen does not make excuses for Wes, and his actions aren't absolved, but it does show how society is failing young men, leaving them open to indoctrination.
This book gets a lot about loneliness right and it's kind of heartbreaking that this reflects a huge chunk of society.
The concept behind this reminds me a little of a Buffy episode where a girl is ignored so much she turns invisible. But in All the Lonely People, the forgotten slowly fade from existence too. Kat meets another girl fading at the same time as her, someone who might be her first real offline friend.
This is the first book I've come across that has attempted to explore the reasons why young men start trolling. It's very easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and say they are just bad people, but often they are lonely and vulnerable to the real bad guys. I think we all know there are ringleaders, who manipulate their followers whilst keeping plausible deniability when things goes wrong.
Wes just wants somewhere to belong, unfortunately the only place he can find that is an online community harbouring women-hating trolls. His father and older brother abandoned his family, leaving his single mother scraping by, relying on handouts and the kindness of strangers. He thinks that his father left him because he wasn't man enough, and he is determined to look after his mum and sister. David Owen does not make excuses for Wes, and his actions aren't absolved, but it does show how society is failing young men, leaving them open to indoctrination.
This book gets a lot about loneliness right and it's kind of heartbreaking that this reflects a huge chunk of society.
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't expecting this to take the fantastical twist it did, but that's my own fault for not reading the whole blurb; I was too excited at seeing a new David Owen title. I've been a fan since Fallen Children last year. This one, despite its fantasy overtones, is just as gritty and real as Children, and, like it, manages to shine a light on problems that have become so common place in the last few years that we rarely think of them as problems anymore. The characters were real and relatable, including the side characters, which isn't easy. This is a brilliant read and I'll be eagerly awaiting the next novel Mr Owen graces us with.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
powisamy's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this so much!
David Owen has become one of my favourite YA authors in recent years so even without hearing the synopsis of All The Lonely People, I was excited about his next book. When hearing the synopsis, I was even more excited as the plot was right up my street. It's safe to say that I loved All The Lonely People and it is definitely one of my favourite books of the year!
Although I loved the book by the end, I was really apprehensive about it in the beginning. I don't really know why but something really wasn't clicking. Maybe it was something to do with the narrative but I quickly got over it and came developed into the story.
I think that one of the reasons that I enjoyed the book was due to the story being told with two characters in mind, Kat and Wesley who were both well developed and both had complicated backstories. I think that both of them show the impact that the internet and social media can have on people. While I really empathised with Kat and loved her progression in the book especially coming to terms with herself, Wesley was a really interesting character. Also, David does not shy away from making his characters from working-class backgrounds and giving them hardships which again was a nice touch.
I think that it would have been so easy to make Wesley a really dislikable character but David Owen does not do this, he makes him a more complex character. I think that I was just blown away by what he did with the character and although a flawed character, he does explore the ideas surrounding toxic masculinity which is still everpresent in our society and which David explored more at YALC which I was lucky to attend.
I also think that the more speculative aspect of this book is surrounding the Lonely People which although not being real, reinforces the idea of loneliness that we all feel and how harming it can be. I also do like those in the club and especially like how Wesley was incorporated into the narrative. I also loved Safa and her relationship with Kat as it was an f/f relationship but it was slowly built through the novel and I really loved the end of the book.
It's safe to say that I loved this book. I devoured it mostly in the lead up to YALC so the long train journeys were a great help but I have to say that I was bewitched but the story but the ending definitely changed the book from a strong like to love. By the end, I was so wrapped up in the world and the characters that I was racing through the story and it just made me feel all the feels. What's better is that I haven't really stopped thinking about this book since so it's safe to say I love it!
The Verdict:
All The Lonely People is yet another great book by David Owen, perfect for those who feel lost in the world and feel the need to escape, delete and disappear and telling us that life is really worth living.
David Owen has become one of my favourite YA authors in recent years so even without hearing the synopsis of All The Lonely People, I was excited about his next book. When hearing the synopsis, I was even more excited as the plot was right up my street. It's safe to say that I loved All The Lonely People and it is definitely one of my favourite books of the year!
Although I loved the book by the end, I was really apprehensive about it in the beginning. I don't really know why but something really wasn't clicking. Maybe it was something to do with the narrative but I quickly got over it and came developed into the story.
I think that one of the reasons that I enjoyed the book was due to the story being told with two characters in mind, Kat and Wesley who were both well developed and both had complicated backstories. I think that both of them show the impact that the internet and social media can have on people. While I really empathised with Kat and loved her progression in the book especially coming to terms with herself, Wesley was a really interesting character. Also, David does not shy away from making his characters from working-class backgrounds and giving them hardships which again was a nice touch.
I think that it would have been so easy to make Wesley a really dislikable character but David Owen does not do this, he makes him a more complex character. I think that I was just blown away by what he did with the character and although a flawed character, he does explore the ideas surrounding toxic masculinity which is still everpresent in our society and which David explored more at YALC which I was lucky to attend.
I also think that the more speculative aspect of this book is surrounding the Lonely People which although not being real, reinforces the idea of loneliness that we all feel and how harming it can be. I also do like those in the club and especially like how Wesley was incorporated into the narrative. I also loved Safa and her relationship with Kat as it was an f/f relationship but it was slowly built through the novel and I really loved the end of the book.
It's safe to say that I loved this book. I devoured it mostly in the lead up to YALC so the long train journeys were a great help but I have to say that I was bewitched but the story but the ending definitely changed the book from a strong like to love. By the end, I was so wrapped up in the world and the characters that I was racing through the story and it just made me feel all the feels. What's better is that I haven't really stopped thinking about this book since so it's safe to say I love it!
The Verdict:
All The Lonely People is yet another great book by David Owen, perfect for those who feel lost in the world and feel the need to escape, delete and disappear and telling us that life is really worth living.
owls_rainbow's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really interesting book with a really unique concept. We follow Kat who lives her life largely online until cyberbullying forces her to delete everything, including inadvertently herself thanks to something called “The Fade”. Wesley, thanks to family troubles (which are only ever glossed over), is also very lonely and finds himself drawn into a toxic friendship with Kat’s cyberbullies and even helps them. But he starts to have doubts when his new “friends” join forces with an online gamer known for pranks and a stern anti-woman stance.
The Fade concept was interesting and well done but it seemed inconsistent in what can cause it, prevent it, or treat it. There’s a group that Wesley meets that want to Fade for some inexplicable reason. The leader, Safa, is already Fading and has chosen which life to piggyback based on the girl being further on in life, not unexpected as she’s older than Safa. The ending was a little disappointing though, love saves all is a little tired. Although the fact that it was a same sex pairing was nice but I’d have like to have seen more of Kat talking about her sexuality and how she felt about it. Also her final conversation with Wesley was disappointing. I can understand how Kat felt about everything but it would have been nice to see them overcoming everything and becoming friends. Or even acquaintances rather than “I never want to see you again”.
The Fade concept was interesting and well done but it seemed inconsistent in what can cause it, prevent it, or treat it. There’s a group that Wesley meets that want to Fade for some inexplicable reason. The leader, Safa, is already Fading and has chosen which life to piggyback based on the girl being further on in life, not unexpected as she’s older than Safa. The ending was a little disappointing though, love saves all is a little tired. Although the fact that it was a same sex pairing was nice but I’d have like to have seen more of Kat talking about her sexuality and how she felt about it. Also her final conversation with Wesley was disappointing. I can understand how Kat felt about everything but it would have been nice to see them overcoming everything and becoming friends. Or even acquaintances rather than “I never want to see you again”.
bestdressedbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed "All the lonely people" it had a modern day "pictures of Dorian Grey" vibe which is a story I absolutely love. I enjoyed our two main protagonists as they come to terms with the reality around them, I found the chapter headings very clever and the image of Kat slowly disappearing to be a unique touch. All around a very entertaining book. Why I only gave it 4 stars is because I hate with heated passion books that swap perspectives back and forth mid chapter with only a chapter break. It ruins the run of the story, you are in the middle of reading about one character and before you know it your 5-6 sentences in without realizing the perspective changed. I also found that chapters themselves were also ending and picking up in weird places outside of these POV swaps. It made the book work to read which isn't enjoyable. Apart from that though I really loved this story.
aivao's review against another edition
5.0
This is so amazing
It is a great story
Great message
Great characters
And just amazing.
It's been a while since I could relate to a book on such a personal level, but this book did it.
It is a great story
Great message
Great characters
And just amazing.
It's been a while since I could relate to a book on such a personal level, but this book did it.
rosameertens's review
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
zaheerah's review against another edition
2.0
When Kat becomes the target of an alt-right smear campaign, she has no choice but to erase her entire online presence. Suddenly, Kat is fading, and only The Lonely People know what to do. Wesley realises that people are forgetting Kat and he has to help her, even if he was partially responsible for it.
I think what was best about this book was the portrayal of the toxic parts of the internet. These people who spew negative, hateful things into the world have solid fan bases, often young kids. Kat is one of the newest victims of a right-wing YouTuber who enables his fanbase to act violently, to hack into her website, her safe space, and completely violate her privacy.
Kat’s entire arc was the story for me. She’s created this online side of herself where she’s free to speak about anything she wants. She discusses fandom positivity and the beauty of the internet. And then it’s gone, and she had to work with Safa, a fellow faded person, to discover what to do next. Her chapters were more interesting to read.
Welsey is a part of the boys who look up to these YouTubers, act on their behalf on these so-called man-hating feminists who want to get rid of them. He’s very much aware that what he’s doing is terrible, and what was irritating was how he never really owns up to what he’s done. He often blames his surroundings, his upbringing which caused him to find friendship in an alt-right fanbase. Kat seems to be the only person with sense and often calls him out, not outright because no one can interact with a faded person. The ending suggests Wesley works towards becoming a better person. But, personally, I found it difficult to forgive.
The outright dismissal of online friendships was a downfall as well. Kat essentially fades because once her site is shut down, she has nothing, no other connection to people, therefore begins to fade. It comes across as seeing online relationships as less authentic and not real. And it’s quite dangerous in this book because it does show how real the internet can be, how anyone with a large enough following can have people do their terrible bidding. It’s not as nuanced as the book believes it is.
All The Lonely People certainly is unique. The notion of fade to represent feeling invisible while discussing online culture in our current digital age is fascinating. It’s a shame I didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
I think what was best about this book was the portrayal of the toxic parts of the internet. These people who spew negative, hateful things into the world have solid fan bases, often young kids. Kat is one of the newest victims of a right-wing YouTuber who enables his fanbase to act violently, to hack into her website, her safe space, and completely violate her privacy.
Kat’s entire arc was the story for me. She’s created this online side of herself where she’s free to speak about anything she wants. She discusses fandom positivity and the beauty of the internet. And then it’s gone, and she had to work with Safa, a fellow faded person, to discover what to do next. Her chapters were more interesting to read.
Welsey is a part of the boys who look up to these YouTubers, act on their behalf on these so-called man-hating feminists who want to get rid of them. He’s very much aware that what he’s doing is terrible, and what was irritating was how he never really owns up to what he’s done. He often blames his surroundings, his upbringing which caused him to find friendship in an alt-right fanbase. Kat seems to be the only person with sense and often calls him out, not outright because no one can interact with a faded person. The ending suggests Wesley works towards becoming a better person. But, personally, I found it difficult to forgive.
The outright dismissal of online friendships was a downfall as well. Kat essentially fades because once her site is shut down, she has nothing, no other connection to people, therefore begins to fade. It comes across as seeing online relationships as less authentic and not real. And it’s quite dangerous in this book because it does show how real the internet can be, how anyone with a large enough following can have people do their terrible bidding. It’s not as nuanced as the book believes it is.
All The Lonely People certainly is unique. The notion of fade to represent feeling invisible while discussing online culture in our current digital age is fascinating. It’s a shame I didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
appleinducedsleep's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0