Reviews

Extrem laut und unglaublich nah by Jonathan Safran Foer

pstegman's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jules__'s review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was very beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved that chapters were either from Oskars point of view or the grandparents. The story unfolded and it felt like I was figuring this out with Oskar. The different layouts and pictures within the book added to the story. I did not give this book 5 stars because I do not enjoy reading from a child's perspective that much. 

janada59's review against another edition

3.0

Normally, when I read books that have a lot of hype around them I'm disappointed, but I thought this book was really good; better than I thought it was going to be going in, that's for sure!

thebrunossaur's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

collleeen's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

asmale's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

orkyd88's review against another edition

3.0

I did enjoy it, let me start by saying it. But I enjoyed the parts without Oskar in it the best. The letters written by his grandfather were interestingly written and touching to read. Things written from his grandmother's perspective, also very interesting. I even enjoyed all the people that Oskar met. However, Oskar himself is unique to the point of absurdity. I had a very difficult time relating to him as a character because he didn't feel like a real person. Some of his quirks like his hatred of mass transit, elevators, very understandable. But why add the "only wearing white" thing? Some of the quirks furthered the story in my opinion, like the bruises and the social ineptitude. However so many of them didn't and I felt like they were just added to create this "wunderkind" of a child character that was so precocious that he bordered on the insanely annoying.

randiyo's review against another edition

3.0

I'm so torn on whether this was 3 star or 4 star. It's heartbreaking and made me feel, but I wasn't in love with this book.

m00plays's review against another edition

3.0

What a fantastic storyline, only to be let down with a disappointing ending! So many unanswered questions: What happened with the key? What happened to his grandpa and him? Did the grandpa ever speak? Did he ever write a letter to Oskar?
Honestly, I'm so disappointed that the whole storyline isn't even answered, because its written beautifully and is so unique! The illustrations really add to the story and make a difference. That's coming from someone who is not a lover of illustrations!
Overall, enjoyed the ride but not the jump at the end!

getbent's review against another edition

1.0

I have many opinions but will only state these:

Very poetic at times (one star) but at what cost?

I can’t entirely formulate my thoughts on how a real falling man photo from the attacks was utilized to feebly push a fictional narrative. Was done in incredibly poor taste to use a human being’s intimate moment in such a crass way to push a crummy metaphor about healing.