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teresaalice's review against another edition
4.0
I am having a hard time deciding what to say about this novel. The opening sentences were SO pretentious "E=MC despair", that I actually snorted. But then I was introduced to the other characters - so beautifully flawed and imperfect, and I got sucked in. This is a book told from several perspectives, each with their sad story to tell, but intimately coming together. Although the ending was less than what I was hoping, it was quietly optimistic, probably the most we could hope from from all this life.
implicushions's review against another edition
2.0
an interesting idea but damn did the follow through fall apart. there were nice moments though.
lriopel's review against another edition
3.0
There is some spectacular writing here, but often it drifted into what felt like a prolonged rant about how terrible and fake and evil modern day technology is in our society. The kid, Jake, particularly, seemed like nothing so much as a device to illustrate how bad the internet is, and how self centered teenagers are. I hated how his character was portrayed, and I thought it was too simplistic a perspective on technology. A lot of the story is just being barraged in what is obviously the author's message - "Technology is bad. It isolates people from each other by giving them a false sense of connection and meaning, and it is ultimately unfulfilling". I am not saying that message is necessarily wrong (though I think it can be argued that our modern day technology does at least as much good in our society as bad), but it's something that's definitely been said before, and I think it would have been a much more interesting book had that idea been made more complicated and less obvious within the narrative.
mollyfy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was just one of those random picks ... needing a book, seeing what is available, a quick perusal of the blurb and a decision to give it a try. As I started up, I wasn't sure if this would be one I would enjoy, or even make it through. It just seemed so random. There were so many different characters. Honestly, I had a little trouble keeping track of everyone (I was listening to the audiobook, if I had been reading it myself, I would have flipped back to solidify some things, but alas, not so easy to do in audio). A couple of the stories had a connection. As we'd listened to Balloon Boy's tale, then of a Catherine, drawing caricatures ... oh, that is Rodney's (Balloon Boy) mother. Sara, struggling with a sex tape leaked online, is a friend of Rodney.
The story had started out with Jake and his dad stuck in traffic, witnessing (catching it on video) an event. Much of the story does revolve around these two too. Then there is Noah(911) ... So I guess that is six main storylines, and more minor characters interacting with all of them. For the first half, 3/4, perhaps even more, I was still just not really invested in it all.
Then ... the final chapters. I reminded me of the movie "Crash" ... when all the separate storylines intersect, and it's pretty powerful. And it wasn't just the characters coming together, but certain themes in the book that repeated and resurfaced from one storyline to the next. I'll admit, it may have happened to catch me at an emotional time, but I was almost in tears as it ALL connected.
While three of the main characters are teens, I didn't really feel this was YA, but a bit more mature. I'm not remembering a ton of language, there was some sexual stuff (mostly in regards to the teens).
I think this is a book that will stay in my memory.
The story had started out with Jake and his dad stuck in traffic, witnessing (catching it on video) an event. Much of the story does revolve around these two too. Then there is Noah(911) ... So I guess that is six main storylines, and more minor characters interacting with all of them. For the first half, 3/4, perhaps even more, I was still just not really invested in it all.
Then ... the final chapters. I reminded me of the movie "Crash" ... when all the separate storylines intersect, and it's pretty powerful. And it wasn't just the characters coming together, but certain themes in the book that repeated and resurfaced from one storyline to the next. I'll admit, it may have happened to catch me at an emotional time, but I was almost in tears as it ALL connected.
While three of the main characters are teens, I didn't really feel this was YA, but a bit more mature. I'm not remembering a ton of language, there was some sexual stuff (mostly in regards to the teens).
I think this is a book that will stay in my memory.
shelfimprovement's review against another edition
This one's not for me; I'm crazy annoyed that EVERYTHING in this book has to framed in terms of a metaphor. I read the first 50 pages and let it sit untouched on my nightstand for a week, so I'm calling it a loss.
hcothran's review against another edition
2.0
In the acknowledgments, Mohr thanks an editor for reading a previous draft and telling him to rewrite it, but in an earnest, sincere way. All I could think was that I would hate to see the draft that was MORE pretentious and removed from actual human emotion. I actually feel unkind saying that, because I think there is real writing talent there and a few moments of the story did work, and it was actually very readable, in that even though I found it phony and reminiscient of Aaron Sorkin at his blowhard worst at times, I still ended up finishing the whole thing and caring at least a bit about some of the characters.
hyzenthlay76's review against another edition
5.0
"We are the walking wounded and there is love in our hearts."
lovely_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
Profound, heartbreaking and absolutely beautiful.