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medusamaneater's review
3.0
Lullaby was a little bit hard to follow in places - it jumped from dialogue to thoughts in a jarring way that confused me. But the plot and telling of the story was captivating. If you were given the chance to give your memories to your braindead identical twin, would you? Rene is made to consider all the complications of what should happen if an experimental procedure to transfer a copy of one brain to an 'empty' one is successful.
It's thought provoking, challenges your beliefs and leaves you with a mind-boggling conclusion.
It's thought provoking, challenges your beliefs and leaves you with a mind-boggling conclusion.
textpublishing's review
5.0
If you have a few hours spare, why not zip through this one?
This is technically classified as YA, but with stuff like this, age groups really should be irrelevant. Short, emotionally intelligent, and effortlessly intriguing.
AND it's about identical twins.
This is technically classified as YA, but with stuff like this, age groups really should be irrelevant. Short, emotionally intelligent, and effortlessly intriguing.
AND it's about identical twins.
bookitty's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lolasim's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
girl_crow's review
4.0
Absolutely stunning. It posed almost impossible to answer moral and psychological questions. It explores what it means to be a person and an individual.
emilyjmead's review
4.0
Well this just made me have an existential crisis. WHO AM I AND WHAT AM I DOING IN THIS LIFE?
I've read another book by this dude and I am very impressed at the levels of mind-fuckery he manages to achieve. And I don't swear often (well, online I don't).
READ IT.
______________________________
You wouldn’t think that a book called Lullaby would make you unable to ever sleep again.
I mean, that’s just counterproductive.
And it’s only like 200 pages. How could 200 pages (mostly of dialogue) make me question MY VERY EXISTENCE?
So Bernard Beckett’s writing style is definitely very unique.
As in, the stories don’t follow the usual rules of stories. There’s no specific plot structure, as such, and the WHOLE BOOK (almost) is a conversation. I mean, there are other bits and pieces, but that’s generally what happens.
You’re intrigued, right? You’re intrigued about how a conversation could make me so freaked out?
Basically, this book is about identity.
I’ve always wanted to write a book about identical twins, because it really FASCINATES me. I knew an identical twin who went to a different school as her sister, and they swapped a couple of times – nobody even knew (except, like, their closest friends obviously).
It’s hard to say my thoughts without spoilers, but I’m going to give it a red-hot go.
So basically it’s a bit sci-fi-ish, in that there’s a procedure that can save Rene’s twin Theo, whose body is alive but who is brain dead. But this procedure will affect Rene in ways even he can’t fathom – it’s never been done before, so basically the conversation with the therapist is to assess whether Rene is in a mental state to be ABLE to make that decision for his brother (since their parents are dead).
So basically, it deals with the big questions – who are we? What REALLY defines us? Can we really become someone else?
Towards the end of the book, the mind-fuckery just heightened even more. It was kind of scary, honestly. It definitely brought out my inner philosopher.
Just joking. I’d be a terrible philosopher. I’d probably just rock back and forward while murmuring random phrases under my breath.
I mean, I did have some complaints.
It WAS quite short, and I felt there could have been more explanation – more showing instead of telling, as well, although it is part of the style of writing, which I did enjoy. So I’m conflicted about that.
But for the mere ability of Bernard Beckett to induce existential crises in his readers, I applaud this book. Now I have to go find myself a copy of Genesis.
I've read another book by this dude and I am very impressed at the levels of mind-fuckery he manages to achieve. And I don't swear often (well, online I don't).
READ IT.
______________________________
You wouldn’t think that a book called Lullaby would make you unable to ever sleep again.
I mean, that’s just counterproductive.
And it’s only like 200 pages. How could 200 pages (mostly of dialogue) make me question MY VERY EXISTENCE?
So Bernard Beckett’s writing style is definitely very unique.
As in, the stories don’t follow the usual rules of stories. There’s no specific plot structure, as such, and the WHOLE BOOK (almost) is a conversation. I mean, there are other bits and pieces, but that’s generally what happens.
You’re intrigued, right? You’re intrigued about how a conversation could make me so freaked out?
Basically, this book is about identity.
I’ve always wanted to write a book about identical twins, because it really FASCINATES me. I knew an identical twin who went to a different school as her sister, and they swapped a couple of times – nobody even knew (except, like, their closest friends obviously).
It’s hard to say my thoughts without spoilers, but I’m going to give it a red-hot go.
So basically it’s a bit sci-fi-ish, in that there’s a procedure that can save Rene’s twin Theo, whose body is alive but who is brain dead. But this procedure will affect Rene in ways even he can’t fathom – it’s never been done before, so basically the conversation with the therapist is to assess whether Rene is in a mental state to be ABLE to make that decision for his brother (since their parents are dead).
So basically, it deals with the big questions – who are we? What REALLY defines us? Can we really become someone else?
Towards the end of the book, the mind-fuckery just heightened even more. It was kind of scary, honestly. It definitely brought out my inner philosopher.
Just joking. I’d be a terrible philosopher. I’d probably just rock back and forward while murmuring random phrases under my breath.
I mean, I did have some complaints.
It WAS quite short, and I felt there could have been more explanation – more showing instead of telling, as well, although it is part of the style of writing, which I did enjoy. So I’m conflicted about that.
But for the mere ability of Bernard Beckett to induce existential crises in his readers, I applaud this book. Now I have to go find myself a copy of Genesis.
missusb21's review
4.0
Beckett is known for his philosophical treaties, making the BIG ideas understandable for young people. This time he pulls out all the questions about what makes a person him or herself, and when does that become difficult to work out.
I just picked it up while it was being accessioned, and I read the first 30 pages without blinking. So it really starts strongly. Rene is identical twin to Theo, who has been in an accident and is now virtually brain-dead. Rene is the only one who can save him, but at what cost?
This is absorbing and complicated, and will appeal to those students who thrive on ethical and social debate. There are a couple of twists, which are important to stop the book from moving into talky-talk zone, but its questions and its conclusion make it a bit scary, very powerful, and extremely readable.
I just picked it up while it was being accessioned, and I read the first 30 pages without blinking. So it really starts strongly. Rene is identical twin to Theo, who has been in an accident and is now virtually brain-dead. Rene is the only one who can save him, but at what cost?
This is absorbing and complicated, and will appeal to those students who thrive on ethical and social debate. There are a couple of twists, which are important to stop the book from moving into talky-talk zone, but its questions and its conclusion make it a bit scary, very powerful, and extremely readable.
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