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lukakje's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
christinaaangelina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I finished this book a while ago but haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Such a unique and well-executed concept. I listened to this on audiobook but want to revisit reading because some parts went over my head.
heyheykk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kmclellan's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
apousson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
taylorgilronan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
siobhanward's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I appreciated how meta this book was at times and how it leaned into it, but I definitely struggled with it at some points. The idea of it was great, and Annabelle and Benny were solid characters, but at times it felt like things were just kind of meandering. I liked how Ozeki moved back and forth through plots to create the story - this seems to be a theme for her and is frankly something she does well. I also loved how Ozeki pulled events from the real world into the book. I think that added a lot in terms of grounding a magical realism book in reality. This was a fun read, but a bit too long for me at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
flippyphippy's review against another edition
1.0
I normally prefer to read books where I either admire the characters, or where I see similarities to myself in them. This book had neither, and I found most of the characters irritating. Overall, I would not recommend this book.
tessrc's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a dark, interesting, complex book. Benny Oh can hear voices - but at first, not just any voices; the voices of objects around him. They have stories, feelings, and pasts that they share with him. For much of the book, it's not entirely clear whether this is happening in real life or whether Benny is actually losing touch with reality. I think Ozeki went too slowly for most of the story, and found certain parts to be completely baffling, but she also approaches real moments of greatness when she steps into The Book's voice and when she embodies Annabelle, Benny's hoarder mom. This is one to read.
wuraoye's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25