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hall2020's review against another edition
3.0
I heard of this book bacause its referenced in other books and by many authors. I had no idea what it was about just started reading. There is a movie called "Seeking a friend for the end of the world" I never watched it because it looked boring. I wonder if it was based off this book, I still am not going to watch it because if it is based off this book then I know for sure now that it is boring. This book was very slow, it just dragged on. It is a tragic love story and very well written it just needed a little more action to keep me from falling asleep.
cadyly's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in two sittings. The characters really drew me in; both MCs were unique and flawed. This read was more of an emotional, atmospheric read than an action-packed one, so at times it was a little slow for my particular tastes, but not a detraction from the story overall.
There was massive foreshadowing, so you know going into it what you are going to get, but it still made me cry, just not in the places I anticipated. The ending, while feeling appropriate, left me wanting just a bit more. In the pages after the story, the author notes that Trixie will make an appearance in her next novel, so there is that to look forward to.
I like the idea of the God-Shaped Hole, and while it is discussed in a few places in the story, I wanted it to be a bit more of a prominent theme. Perhaps it's best left as a discussion question for reading groups after the fact.
There was massive foreshadowing, so you know going into it what you are going to get, but it still made me cry, just not in the places I anticipated. The ending, while feeling appropriate, left me wanting just a bit more. In the pages after the story, the author notes that Trixie will make an appearance in her next novel, so there is that to look forward to.
I like the idea of the God-Shaped Hole, and while it is discussed in a few places in the story, I wanted it to be a bit more of a prominent theme. Perhaps it's best left as a discussion question for reading groups after the fact.
simplyxkate's review against another edition
5.0
I can't think of a coherent thing to say about God-Shaped Hole without giving anything away. The very first sentence, "When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone," sets a precedence that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time you're reading. The story of Jacob Grace and Beatrice Jordan is beautiful, heart warming, and heart breaking all at the same time. To me, a good book should make you feel things and God-Shaped Hole does just that. Tiffanie DeBartolo is brilliant and I hope she writes more in the future.
sonja_ahrb's review against another edition
5.0
Tiffany DeBartolo is the author of one of my all time favorite books, How to Kill a Rockstar. I read it years ago and every once in a while I dust it off for a re-read. I don't know what took me so long to read God-Shaped Hole given I loved her other book so much. Fifteen years ago, when this book was published, I was a young, exhausted mother, so it probably wouldn't have had the impact or punch to the gut emotions I had just reading it this week. I don't think I would have appreciated the story or the words as my younger self.
I've only read two of this author's books, but they are both exceptional. Deep with meaning and poignant. Her words are woven with such purpose. It's hard not to become intrigued by these characters, their lives, their connections. God-Shaped Hole is one of those books that's just too hard to break down and describe because it's so meaty and deep. At its heart is a love story, but there's so much more to it than that. It's one of those books you just have to read for yourself, I suspect everyone will walk away with a different perspective on it.
I'm hopeful that the re-release of this book for its fifteen year anniversary means there may be even more books from this author on the horizon. I'd read anything she wrote at this point, I am desperate for more. This book will make you think, win your heart and then break it. It's beautiful. A masterpiece.
~ Lia, 5 Stars
I've only read two of this author's books, but they are both exceptional. Deep with meaning and poignant. Her words are woven with such purpose. It's hard not to become intrigued by these characters, their lives, their connections. God-Shaped Hole is one of those books that's just too hard to break down and describe because it's so meaty and deep. At its heart is a love story, but there's so much more to it than that. It's one of those books you just have to read for yourself, I suspect everyone will walk away with a different perspective on it.
I'm hopeful that the re-release of this book for its fifteen year anniversary means there may be even more books from this author on the horizon. I'd read anything she wrote at this point, I am desperate for more. This book will make you think, win your heart and then break it. It's beautiful. A masterpiece.
~ Lia, 5 Stars
marzipan9's review against another edition
3.0
It was a good book, but I didn’t find either Jacob or Trixie to be all that likable or interesting. They acted far younger than their actual ages.
Honestly, I think I am too old to be reading this particular book. In my 20s I probably would have been obsessed with it, but in my 40s...it was just a lot of childish bullshit.
Honestly, I think I am too old to be reading this particular book. In my 20s I probably would have been obsessed with it, but in my 40s...it was just a lot of childish bullshit.
thebooktrollop's review against another edition
5.0
I hated this book. It was awful. I wanted to burn it like it burned the God Shaped Hole in the middle of my heart and stomach and then smother it, recreate it, and burn it all over again. It's the only way to make me feel better.
It's interesting, because I knew it was going to happen. I KNEW the foreshadowing and prose was leading right where I feared it was going but it didn't make my heart anymore prepared for this awful book.
Sigh... but the prose!!! The formation of each meticulous word, phrase, paragraph, made my little awkward heart so happy. I wanted to hate this book but I couldn't bare to do that.
It's interesting, because I knew it was going to happen. I KNEW the foreshadowing and prose was leading right where I feared it was going but it didn't make my heart anymore prepared for this awful book.
Sigh... but the prose!!! The formation of each meticulous word, phrase, paragraph, made my little awkward heart so happy. I wanted to hate this book but I couldn't bare to do that.
eetree's review against another edition
4.0
is jacob the dude version of a manic pixie dream girl?? i think the answer is most definitely yes.
thereadroversbookclub's review against another edition
1.0
A few things…
1. If I read this in high school I probably would have enjoyed this book (sliiightly) more. Life, love, and lessons have definitely hardened me (THAT’S WHAT HE SAID
1. If I read this in high school I probably would have enjoyed this book (sliiightly) more. Life, love, and lessons have definitely hardened me (THAT’S WHAT HE SAID
annemariewellswriter's review against another edition
2.0
The ending made up for the rest of this book.
Chronicling the relationship between Trixie and Jacob was awful. Childish ranting. Tantruming and storming off, and then passionate sex and all is forgiven. Their relationship is my worst nightmare. Jealousy and no communication and silent treatment. I can't imagine dating someone that ever tells me to "fuck off," and certainly not on a regular basis. It was a classic example of toxic passion that is deamed somehow to be romantic. It's not romantic, it's unhealthy.
The best parts of this book were the parts when the main characters weren't interacting, which wasn't much of the book.
Chronicling the relationship between Trixie and Jacob was awful. Childish ranting. Tantruming and storming off, and then passionate sex and all is forgiven. Their relationship is my worst nightmare. Jealousy and no communication and silent treatment. I can't imagine dating someone that ever tells me to "fuck off," and certainly not on a regular basis. It was a classic example of toxic passion that is deamed somehow to be romantic. It's not romantic, it's unhealthy.
The best parts of this book were the parts when the main characters weren't interacting, which wasn't much of the book.
annsilver's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
This one was very hard to rate because I was torn between the writing and the story. The prose was beautiful and creative. I adored her writing. BUT the story never grabbed me. I never once felt like I had to get back to it because I couldn’t wait to listen to the rest...I just felt like I had to get back to it so I could finish it and get on with my next audio. And it’s not like the story was terrible for me...it was just okay.
The narrator was pretty good.
This one was very hard to rate because I was torn between the writing and the story. The prose was beautiful and creative. I adored her writing. BUT the story never grabbed me. I never once felt like I had to get back to it because I couldn’t wait to listen to the rest...I just felt like I had to get back to it so I could finish it and get on with my next audio. And it’s not like the story was terrible for me...it was just okay.
The narrator was pretty good.