Scan barcode
juliarziegler's review
4.0
4.5. Lost half a star only because there were a couple of moments where I was pulled out of the story because of just a bit of droning on. I have much more to say in praise, however.
Wow. I have never read a book like this. Stylistically, it was completely unique. From the footnotes, to the interview chapters, to the back and forth between reality and thought experiment….it was perfect. The skill it must have taken to weave all those pieces together into not just a thrilling mystery but a reflection on what it means to be human???
Admiration. That’s how I feel about Tim O’Brien.
I’m still puzzled by what I’ve read, in the best way. I’ll be thinking about this one for quite some time. I’m surprised by how content I feel despite the utter lack of definitive solution. And then I think, that was probably the point.
Wow. I have never read a book like this. Stylistically, it was completely unique. From the footnotes, to the interview chapters, to the back and forth between reality and thought experiment….it was perfect. The skill it must have taken to weave all those pieces together into not just a thrilling mystery but a reflection on what it means to be human???
Admiration. That’s how I feel about Tim O’Brien.
I’m still puzzled by what I’ve read, in the best way. I’ll be thinking about this one for quite some time. I’m surprised by how content I feel despite the utter lack of definitive solution. And then I think, that was probably the point.
emiyawaffles's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gaby_b's review
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
grace_ml's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
becsmars's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lincolnperdue's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
fav book omg
bookmaster4's review
4.0
This book was pretty good, not as good as The Things They Carried but it was ok. I got really worried when the narrator basically said "I'm not going to tell you what happened" but I was satisfied with the ending. I would read this with a notepad next to you to write out any clues you come across or thoughts you have. It is...interesting what you find and how your guess of what happened changes over time.
erintowner's review
5.0
This book was presented to me as a psychological thriller but I'd call it more of a true crime philosophy work. It made me think more about PTSD and war than I usually do and I hope that will make me more sympathetic to the veterans in my life. I loved that it was set in Minnesota because I knew the places mentioned in the book. I like Tim O'Briens writing. I didn't mind the inconclusive ending but if that's important to you read something else
dustysummers's review
4.0
In every trick there are two carefully thought out lines – the way it looks and the way it is. The success of your work depends upon your understanding the relationship of these lines – Robert Parish (The Magicians Handbook)
Sometimes he did bad things just to be loved, sometimes he hated himself for needing love so badly.
Sometimes he did bad things just to be loved, sometimes he hated himself for needing love so badly.