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jairereads's review against another edition
2.0
It was cute but unsubstantial. Maybe I’ve read too many good death knell books recently.
chloe_f's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
neogaymyback's review against another edition
5.0
Bugün de bir kitaba ağladık… lahana kedonun beyefendi gibi konuşması çok tatlıydı
jenna_serv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wish the book went more into the repercussions of his choices rather than just his inner monologue. I wish we got to see the consequences of making things that people loved and relied on disappearing
orbitael's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I am aware that the star rating I’ve given this book is low and I need to stress that I am not going to push this viewpoint as hegemony as this book is not, under any means, “bad”. It simply did not mesh well with my personal expectations and tastes. I think that the format and pacing of the book is ideal for people seeking something that is easy to digest in spite of its inclusion of existential messages. The writing style is very simple, I’m not sure how true this is to the original language but hey ho, and the events of the story play out in a pleasing way. I was especially fond of flashback sequences that always emphasised the meaning of life and how, upon reflection, there is so much to cherish. I teared up at two points upon reading, both times in the latter half of the book, which is testament to how some parts certainly moved me, however…
My issues with the book are mostly rooted in the simplicity of its execution, actually, as this choice, to me, doesn’t feel appropriate to what is being discussed. The writing has a tendency to veer off into monologues that are supposed to be touching and heartfelt but contextually feel thrown in and, based on what we see of our protagonist, overly saccharine for his character (who is very bland and nonchalant for the most part, leading to me actively disliking him).
Furthermore, I have a hugely pedantic nitpick with one of these tangents and it is the one regarding the concept of time and how clocks disappearing means you can’t possibly keep track. It is just completely inaccurate! It’s the sort of monologue that feels like it is waxing poetic, as though it is trying to score extra marks in an English GCSE, yet the simplicity of the story led to a poorly defined magic system and oversimplification of certain concepts. Clocks disappearing removes the standardised, visual embodiment of time moving, however, it absolutely does not remove time, one’s sense of time, or one’s ability to measure time. The standardised concept of what a “second” is and what a “minute” is will still be available to and understood by the protagonist, who acts like time cannot possibly be quantified anymore, and how time functions based on the Earth’s orbit will obviously remain untouched by this wishy-washy magic. The human body only requires light as an exogenous zeitgeber to maintain biological rhythms, thus meaning his argument that he shan’t know when to sleep or do certain actions is utterly inaccurate. Finally, of course you can still measure time! Look at your shadow! Use a sundial! It completely removes all emotional encodings from the text when there are these issues within it that once noticed, can’t be un-noticed.
When they propose to make music disappear from the world was when the full scale of how poorly defined the magic system was hit me. Due to the lack of clearly defined codes, rules and examples of what these things entail (deriving from the simplicity of the text), it makes the story very liable to loopholes that break suspension of disbelief epically. “Music” is such a broad term. I have no idea why the author even brings this one up considering they end up not going for this one, because if you think about it for even one second it makes no sense. Are we talking about musical notes? Or just songs? How about accidental music like when you blow on grass or run your finger around a crystal glass? How can you even reasonably remove music? After all the production of such sound waves is spontaneous and arguably impossible to regulate. Does this turn the world monotone? Does the concept of a key signature still exist in this reality? All of this goes unanswered, of course, but ruminating on it led to me spiralling down pedantic loops about the rest of the book as a whole. Pedantry has no place in fiction, especially not fantasy / musical realism fiction, I know this and I regret to state such nitpicks but they shattered the points being made for me for I could always see some sort of flaw with the proposed disappearance.
Also I genuinely despise this characterisation of the devil. The explanation at the end was sensical but that doesn’t make him likeable. At all. Again if I want to indulge in the emotional meanings of this book, it is just so distracting to have the perpetrator who is hanging the protagonist’s life in the balance be so deeply irksome! Counter-stereotypes are fun if utilised well and in appropriate contexts- this was not one of them. I found the only likeable characters to be the protagonist’s ex-girlfriend and she is hardly relevant at all, and the mother, who is dead (a topic that is handled with such sincerity I wish the rest of the book could share such a tone. It needn’t be bleak, just less wild with wacky devil dudes!)
And whilst we’re on the topic of distaste for character choices - the cat. Why, oh why, did the cat talk? Why did the cat talk at all and why did the cat have to have such a jarring dialect? It’s supposed to be funny but again it just distracts from the emotional messages that end up reading like random spiels as a result! I understand the cat’s significance, but I do not like the cat as a character. Cabbage is yet another bothersome entity in this bizarre loophole filled world.
Overall I think this book was a good concept executed poorly on almost all levels. There is far too much disconnect between the emotional content, and the story itself that it was difficult to root for anyone involved or feel attached in any way to anyone. The simplicity of the writing felt insincere and overly general especially when attempting to set up a magic system and when trying to pull off these existential monologues that stick out like a dozen sore thumbs compared to the tone of the rest of the book. I suppose it just was not my thing, unfortunately.
My issues with the book are mostly rooted in the simplicity of its execution, actually, as this choice, to me, doesn’t feel appropriate to what is being discussed. The writing has a tendency to veer off into monologues that are supposed to be touching and heartfelt but contextually feel thrown in and, based on what we see of our protagonist, overly saccharine for his character (who is very bland and nonchalant for the most part, leading to me actively disliking him).
Furthermore, I have a hugely pedantic nitpick with one of these tangents and it is the one regarding the concept of time and how clocks disappearing means you can’t possibly keep track. It is just completely inaccurate! It’s the sort of monologue that feels like it is waxing poetic, as though it is trying to score extra marks in an English GCSE, yet the simplicity of the story led to a poorly defined magic system and oversimplification of certain concepts. Clocks disappearing removes the standardised, visual embodiment of time moving, however, it absolutely does not remove time, one’s sense of time, or one’s ability to measure time. The standardised concept of what a “second” is and what a “minute” is will still be available to and understood by the protagonist, who acts like time cannot possibly be quantified anymore, and how time functions based on the Earth’s orbit will obviously remain untouched by this wishy-washy magic. The human body only requires light as an exogenous zeitgeber to maintain biological rhythms, thus meaning his argument that he shan’t know when to sleep or do certain actions is utterly inaccurate. Finally, of course you can still measure time! Look at your shadow! Use a sundial! It completely removes all emotional encodings from the text when there are these issues within it that once noticed, can’t be un-noticed.
When they propose to make music disappear from the world was when the full scale of how poorly defined the magic system was hit me. Due to the lack of clearly defined codes, rules and examples of what these things entail (deriving from the simplicity of the text), it makes the story very liable to loopholes that break suspension of disbelief epically. “Music” is such a broad term. I have no idea why the author even brings this one up considering they end up not going for this one, because if you think about it for even one second it makes no sense. Are we talking about musical notes? Or just songs? How about accidental music like when you blow on grass or run your finger around a crystal glass? How can you even reasonably remove music? After all the production of such sound waves is spontaneous and arguably impossible to regulate. Does this turn the world monotone? Does the concept of a key signature still exist in this reality? All of this goes unanswered, of course, but ruminating on it led to me spiralling down pedantic loops about the rest of the book as a whole. Pedantry has no place in fiction, especially not fantasy / musical realism fiction, I know this and I regret to state such nitpicks but they shattered the points being made for me for I could always see some sort of flaw with the proposed disappearance.
Also I genuinely despise this characterisation of the devil. The explanation at the end was sensical but that doesn’t make him likeable. At all. Again if I want to indulge in the emotional meanings of this book, it is just so distracting to have the perpetrator who is hanging the protagonist’s life in the balance be so deeply irksome! Counter-stereotypes are fun if utilised well and in appropriate contexts- this was not one of them. I found the only likeable characters to be the protagonist’s ex-girlfriend and she is hardly relevant at all, and the mother, who is dead (a topic that is handled with such sincerity I wish the rest of the book could share such a tone. It needn’t be bleak, just less wild with wacky devil dudes!)
And whilst we’re on the topic of distaste for character choices - the cat. Why, oh why, did the cat talk? Why did the cat talk at all and why did the cat have to have such a jarring dialect? It’s supposed to be funny but again it just distracts from the emotional messages that end up reading like random spiels as a result! I understand the cat’s significance, but I do not like the cat as a character. Cabbage is yet another bothersome entity in this bizarre loophole filled world.
Overall I think this book was a good concept executed poorly on almost all levels. There is far too much disconnect between the emotional content, and the story itself that it was difficult to root for anyone involved or feel attached in any way to anyone. The simplicity of the writing felt insincere and overly general especially when attempting to set up a magic system and when trying to pull off these existential monologues that stick out like a dozen sore thumbs compared to the tone of the rest of the book. I suppose it just was not my thing, unfortunately.
adrianavc99's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.25
shelbyshelbxo's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so moving. It is also beautifully written and to my surprise, very funny.
It made me really think about the little things in life that make it brighter. Those mundane things that you could easily gloss over in your mind. It had me teary eyed at the end; I loved hearing about his mother. She was a gem!
If the devil appeared in front of you at the end of your life, what would you make disappear from the world in exchange for another day of your life?
The main character takes us on a journey through his past and present. He reflects on his past- the special, happy, somber and painful memories. We hear of his regrets, and his longing for more time.
We see him bargain with the devil for more time and go along with him during his final days.
It really made me think about what I would do if I knew I didn’t have anymore time left.. what would I give up?
Such a touching and meditative read. It’s short too! I recommend it.
It made me really think about the little things in life that make it brighter. Those mundane things that you could easily gloss over in your mind. It had me teary eyed at the end; I loved hearing about his mother. She was a gem!
If the devil appeared in front of you at the end of your life, what would you make disappear from the world in exchange for another day of your life?
The main character takes us on a journey through his past and present. He reflects on his past- the special, happy, somber and painful memories. We hear of his regrets, and his longing for more time.
We see him bargain with the devil for more time and go along with him during his final days.
It really made me think about what I would do if I knew I didn’t have anymore time left.. what would I give up?
Such a touching and meditative read. It’s short too! I recommend it.
beebumblingbats's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
3.75
mitali_28's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
3.75
ashs_books's review against another edition
2.0
Loved the messages in this book, but it kept suddenly changing tangents and the ending was very abrupt. Unsure about it - glad it was short