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thegraduatedbookwormblogger's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 Full Review can be found at http://thegraduatedbookworm.blogspot.ca
First off let me say thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me an ARC copy of Essential Maps for the Lost!
So this book definitely was a mix for me. There were plenty of parts that I actually really loved, and thought were amazing, and then there were plenty of parts where I felt like it wasn't doing anything.
When I started reading this book, it totally went off strong! I mean right off the bat, you dive into what is happening for both Mads and Billy. After that, it seemed to slow down a bit, going into detail for some things that I don't think needed much detail. I do wish that there was definitely more talk towards the two more than there was.
No moving on towards the more amazing parts! Since it is a really deep story, and discusses all kinds of mental health, I think that Deb Caletti did a great job with it. She wrote more on the view of the person and what is going on in their minds during these moments, rather than the views of someone who is on the outside of it all.
At a certain point in this novel, I could really see more unfold. They say it's always the quiet ones you need to look out for, but to be honest, it's generally the very selfless people who truly need the help. The ones who give so much, and never really ask for anything in return.
Overall, I really am mixed about this book. There were definitely raw and emotional aspects that I felt to be amazing, and really dove into aspects of mental health that no one really wants to talk about. Then I kind of got a bad vibe, and found that sometimes the characters were a little too unrealistic with things that were happening, and found that they sometimes weren't true to their age. If it wasn't discussed, then I would have thought that they were freshman in High School.
There were some slow parts that were often hard to get through, but then right on the other side there would be another little snippet of disaster that would keep me reading! I would say that you should give this novel a try, because I know we all have our own views on novels, and this may be the book that really hits home, or it might not! After reading this book, I can say that it hasn't changed my views on reading more books by Deb Caletti. I will still read her books, because I fin she has a unique writing style that really does work!
First off let me say thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me an ARC copy of Essential Maps for the Lost!
So this book definitely was a mix for me. There were plenty of parts that I actually really loved, and thought were amazing, and then there were plenty of parts where I felt like it wasn't doing anything.
When I started reading this book, it totally went off strong! I mean right off the bat, you dive into what is happening for both Mads and Billy. After that, it seemed to slow down a bit, going into detail for some things that I don't think needed much detail. I do wish that there was definitely more talk towards the two more than there was.
No moving on towards the more amazing parts! Since it is a really deep story, and discusses all kinds of mental health, I think that Deb Caletti did a great job with it. She wrote more on the view of the person and what is going on in their minds during these moments, rather than the views of someone who is on the outside of it all.
At a certain point in this novel, I could really see more unfold. They say it's always the quiet ones you need to look out for, but to be honest, it's generally the very selfless people who truly need the help. The ones who give so much, and never really ask for anything in return.
Overall, I really am mixed about this book. There were definitely raw and emotional aspects that I felt to be amazing, and really dove into aspects of mental health that no one really wants to talk about. Then I kind of got a bad vibe, and found that sometimes the characters were a little too unrealistic with things that were happening, and found that they sometimes weren't true to their age. If it wasn't discussed, then I would have thought that they were freshman in High School.
There were some slow parts that were often hard to get through, but then right on the other side there would be another little snippet of disaster that would keep me reading! I would say that you should give this novel a try, because I know we all have our own views on novels, and this may be the book that really hits home, or it might not! After reading this book, I can say that it hasn't changed my views on reading more books by Deb Caletti. I will still read her books, because I fin she has a unique writing style that really does work!
emilyctrigg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
2.75
Definitely my least favorite Caletti so far
jbojkov's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book from Deb Caletti. I love her writing. I also really liked how she ties this one to The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
While this one was a little angsty-er than some of her others, I think she reflects accurately the struggle some teens and parents have relating and coping with each other. This book contains a suicide and is the main focus of the book in some ways. (Note to self: could be considered triggering.) There is also some strong language sprinkled throughout- it is not unrealistic or gratuitous, but some kids may not want the F-bomb dropped in the books they read.
Ultimately, a book I would highly recommend to teens who like realistic fiction with a side of romance.
While this one was a little angsty-er than some of her others, I think she reflects accurately the struggle some teens and parents have relating and coping with each other. This book contains a suicide and is the main focus of the book in some ways. (Note to self: could be considered triggering.) There is also some strong language sprinkled throughout- it is not unrealistic or gratuitous, but some kids may not want the F-bomb dropped in the books they read.
Ultimately, a book I would highly recommend to teens who like realistic fiction with a side of romance.
stenaros's review against another edition
3.0
The voice of the omniscient narrator did not work at all for me. What did work was the portrayal of depression as the subtle sneaky bastard that it is. Very nicely done Ms. Caletti. Also, thanks for a reminder that it's been too many years since I read From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
just_a_touch_of_bibliomania's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
If you're looking for a complicated love story that also deals with grief, mental health, toxic family and hard decisions, this is a good book for you.
I loved the writing style and how the narrator spoke to the readers at times. The almost stream-of-consciousness writing we get from each characters perspective really puts you in their head and helps you to really empathize with them. I loved the characters and the parallels drawn between them. I didn't mind that it was a little corny at times because sometimes you need a little corn in your life and I really liked what this book had to say about so many difficult topics like suicide, grief, loss, families, responsibility (to yourself and others), PTSD, mental health, love, and growing up.
If you're looking for a complicated love story that also deals with grief, mental health, toxic family and hard decisions, this is a good book for you.
I loved the writing style and how the narrator spoke to the readers at times. The almost stream-of-consciousness writing we get from each characters perspective really puts you in their head and helps you to really empathize with them. I loved the characters and the parallels drawn between them. I didn't mind that it was a little corny at times because sometimes you need a little corn in your life and I really liked what this book had to say about so many difficult topics like suicide, grief, loss, families, responsibility (to yourself and others), PTSD, mental health, love, and growing up.
kate_reads_literature's review against another edition
5.0
Ladies and gentlemen, she’s done it again. Deb Caletti has a piece of my heart. And so do these characters. I loved absolutely everything about this book. Definitely one of my favorites.
asquared92's review against another edition
4.0
The synopsis of this book intrigued me, and I like this author’s writing style. The story and characters in this book was deeply thought provoking and affecting. I felt like the author wrote an honest portrayal of grief and depression. The struggles both Mads and Billy faced were multi-faceted and felt very real. Their characters grew and changed over the course of the story in a very compelling and real way. The relationships between Mads and Billy and other characters in the novel were flawed and messy but perfectly human. The plot of this story was extremely well written and easy to follow. I’ve never read the book both Mads and Billy loved, but I understood their connection to it all the same. The ending was sweet and hopeful. It fit the characters and the story to perfection.
anxietygirl89's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really liked this book. The underlying hope both the main characters had despite their sadness and depression was great, as was the way the author described depression on multiple occasions. I especially related to how Mads' was described. Worth the read, I think.
leahamyy's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a pretty big fan of Deb Caletti. I really love how simple her message is sometimes but the way she writes it gives it a lot of heart and such deep meaning. She puts into words what people need to hear but the books aren’t a chore to get through and the audience never feels lectured, which I really appreciate.
This simple story about life moving on through and after loss was a good one to remember. That no matter what you’re going through, no matter how tiresome life can be or how much is weighing down on you, it goes on. It gets better and you just have to get through the bad stuff before the good stuff can come.
I would categorize this as an easy read, simply because there were a limited number of characters and the plot was predictable, but when you’re addressing issues such as mental health and depression, you don’t need to heavily weigh down the plot with unnecessary plot lines and intricate characters. You want to get your point across. I really enjoyed the way this was written, because of its specificity towards depression. When you’re depressed or dealing with immense grief like the main characters in this book were, you can’t concentrate long enough to get into a JRR Tolkein type of story where you have to focus 100% of your energy on keeping the story and characters straight. This was written in a tense that was easy to understand/read/grasp which was the point of the story.
**spoiler starts here
I think it’s rare that I appreciate all of the main characters, but I did in this story. Granted, there were only two, but I liked both of them. I was rooting for both to find peace of mind and be able to move on from the joint tragedy they suffered. I thought it was really cool that Mads and Billy had each other to lean on, even if he didn’t know what brought them together in the first place. I was happy that their connection, once discovered, didn’t keep them apart. They definitely grew to love and need each other in their own ways and it was just a nice display of grief and acceptance.
Some of the quotes from this book really touched me, and I wish I had actually taken the time to write them down while I was reading it, but they were nice to read and get those assurances that even though people do bad things, they can do good things too.
This simple story about life moving on through and after loss was a good one to remember. That no matter what you’re going through, no matter how tiresome life can be or how much is weighing down on you, it goes on. It gets better and you just have to get through the bad stuff before the good stuff can come.
I would categorize this as an easy read, simply because there were a limited number of characters and the plot was predictable, but when you’re addressing issues such as mental health and depression, you don’t need to heavily weigh down the plot with unnecessary plot lines and intricate characters. You want to get your point across. I really enjoyed the way this was written, because of its specificity towards depression. When you’re depressed or dealing with immense grief like the main characters in this book were, you can’t concentrate long enough to get into a JRR Tolkein type of story where you have to focus 100% of your energy on keeping the story and characters straight. This was written in a tense that was easy to understand/read/grasp which was the point of the story.
**spoiler starts here
I think it’s rare that I appreciate all of the main characters, but I did in this story. Granted, there were only two, but I liked both of them. I was rooting for both to find peace of mind and be able to move on from the joint tragedy they suffered. I thought it was really cool that Mads and Billy had each other to lean on, even if he didn’t know what brought them together in the first place. I was happy that their connection, once discovered, didn’t keep them apart. They definitely grew to love and need each other in their own ways and it was just a nice display of grief and acceptance.
Some of the quotes from this book really touched me, and I wish I had actually taken the time to write them down while I was reading it, but they were nice to read and get those assurances that even though people do bad things, they can do good things too.
livruther's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
4.0
while some of the situations felt forced, there were some very beautiful moments in this story. it is about two people belonging together and knowing it from the first time they lay eyes on each other. this story gives the message that love doesnt heal, but it does help, and i think that’s wonderful, especially because many novels imply that true love can make sadness and mental illness magically disappear.