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errski's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up because I read many of Halse Anderson's books as a teen and as expected The Impossible Knife of Memory touched on very complicated and difficult topics (similar to her previous books).
In my opinion, the main character Hayley, was realistic for a teenager, and her relationships with her father, Trish, Finn, her friends were dynamic and realistic. Sometimes I find YA novels to be a little shallow and I don't generally like any kind of "romance" but the main focus of this story is Hayley's relationship with her father, and how war affected him, as well as Hayley, albeit indirectly. Really tough topic, and I commend her for writing about this. I couldn't specifically relate to this novel, because I have never experienced the home life depicted in this book nor do I have family in the military, but I did enjoy this read.
Although I think I liked some of her other books I've read a little better, whether it be that I read them as a teen or could relate better to the stories, I did really enjoy this and I'm glad that I bought it solely on author name alone.
In my opinion, the main character Hayley, was realistic for a teenager, and her relationships with her father, Trish, Finn, her friends were dynamic and realistic. Sometimes I find YA novels to be a little shallow and I don't generally like any kind of "romance" but the main focus of this story is Hayley's relationship with her father, and how war affected him, as well as Hayley, albeit indirectly. Really tough topic, and I commend her for writing about this. I couldn't specifically relate to this novel, because I have never experienced the home life depicted in this book nor do I have family in the military, but I did enjoy this read.
Although I think I liked some of her other books I've read a little better, whether it be that I read them as a teen or could relate better to the stories, I did really enjoy this and I'm glad that I bought it solely on author name alone.
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
Hayley is not always easy to like. That's a good thing. She's prickly. She's self-destructive. She doesn't let people in. She doesn't let them help her. She's She feels real. That's why the story of her having to constantly care for her father so heartbreaking. She doesn't get to be a kid, and my heart constantly broke for her as she tried in vain to keep everything together.
annie_bordeaux's review against another edition
5.0
ever read a book and hated it at the beginning? been sure u would rate a book below three stars, thought it was the most cringe book u have ever read? but then somehow it changed to a five star book?
that was this book for me. (although I stand by it being cringe occasionally, but what do u expect for a book from 2014?)
I loved the characters SO MUCH (haley is giving blue from the raven cycle), the romance, and the dialogue/banter was some of the best I've read, actually making me laugh all the time. fin was perfect (the exact type of love interest to make me kinda fall in love too) and I loved how supportive he was. the inner monologue was cringe sometimes, but haley had so much personality (rare for female characters) that it was ok. I think it was a realistic portrayal of trauma, and the abuse that can follow. the impossible knife of memory could somehow be so fun yet so sad all in one one book.
that was this book for me. (although I stand by it being cringe occasionally, but what do u expect for a book from 2014?)
I loved the characters SO MUCH (haley is giving blue from the raven cycle), the romance, and the dialogue/banter was some of the best I've read, actually making me laugh all the time. fin was perfect (the exact type of love interest to make me kinda fall in love too) and I loved how supportive he was. the inner monologue was cringe sometimes, but haley had so much personality (rare for female characters) that it was ok. I think it was a realistic portrayal of trauma, and the abuse that can follow. the impossible knife of memory could somehow be so fun yet so sad all in one one book.
goudaparanoia's review against another edition
5.0
So good. So heartbreaking, but that's how I like my books.
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
4.0
First, a rant: I am really tired of books in which the female character is super closed off and rude to her love interest and yet he pursues her to the ends of the earth. I don’t know anyone who does that—especially not teenagers, who tend to be afraid of rejection. It just feels forced and like a plot device to make teen girls swoon for the boy who won’t give up no matter what. Totally unrealistic expectations. And it’s almost creepy when a guy ignores the signals the girl is sending and keeps after her anyway. With that off my chest, I have to say that I loved all the other aspects of this book. LHA’s characters always feel real and easy to relate to. I like that she included short chapters from the father’s point of view to make the PTSD feel even more intense. I had trouble putting it down once I got into it. My only complaint is that the end is a bit rushed--I would have liked more wrap-up. Still, very good read that left me with a lot to think about.
calpal420's review against another edition
Just didn't pick it back up again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
write2run's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
What a heart wrenching, raw and sad book. I can't imagine having to deal with a family member at the age of 16 that is going through something like that. I wish Hayley wouldn't have not waited so long to get her father the help he needed. I think though she was so torn up by her mother and grandmother passing that she felt so alone because all of these people in her life were leaving her. Towards the end of the story I was gasping because I was always thinking the worse was going to happen. Also I wasn't a fan of the ending, I thought it wrapped up way to easy.
Overall I thought Hayley was a likable character but would I want to be her friend...probably not. She did have some funny parts in the story (aka calling other kids at school zombies). I liked Finn, so sweet, was really good with Hayley but I think he wasn't as whiny some of the nicer guys in YA are. I wish her friend Gracie was more supportive but she also was going through difficult things too so she really wasn't the best of friends.
I am a huge fan of Laurie Halse Anderson but this one wasn't my favorite but I still enjoyed it.
Overall I thought Hayley was a likable character but would I want to be her friend...probably not. She did have some funny parts in the story (aka calling other kids at school zombies). I liked Finn, so sweet, was really good with Hayley but I think he wasn't as whiny some of the nicer guys in YA are. I wish her friend Gracie was more supportive but she also was going through difficult things too so she really wasn't the best of friends.
I am a huge fan of Laurie Halse Anderson but this one wasn't my favorite but I still enjoyed it.
shaybe90's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0