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onetrackmind77's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
sjgomzi's review against another edition
5.0
This book has wrecked me. A masterpiece of originality. heartbreaking. Will make you look at and appreciate life in a whole new way, and that’s not an easy thing to admit for this cynical old bastard. I loved everything about this, and you will too!
cdeane61's review against another edition
2.0
Not quite sure what to think.....
Something about this book did not sit well with me. The premise is that a young man in a "persistent vegetative state" is fully conscious and able to astral project, understand any language, travel to the moon, everything in fact, except work his own body and communicate with others.
It is not badly written, and some of the passages are quite moving.
On the whole it just did not work for me.
Something about this book did not sit well with me. The premise is that a young man in a "persistent vegetative state" is fully conscious and able to astral project, understand any language, travel to the moon, everything in fact, except work his own body and communicate with others.
It is not badly written, and some of the passages are quite moving.
On the whole it just did not work for me.
leridally's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
billie_visible's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
Moderate: Domestic abuse
jeremy_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book. Had me glued so hard I finished it in a day. I don't think I've ever read anything like this before and I think this book will stick with me for a long time. A true hidden gem that deserves more recognition than it currently has.
david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
I discovered this novel from author Nick Cato's top ten books of 2012 where it took his top prize. It is also blurbed on the back cover by one of the most respected horror writers alive Peter Straub. I looked through quite a few Good Reads reviews and the worst review I found was three stars. I went into as blind as possible, not even reading the back cover description. Glad I didn't.
Westlake Soul is not a novel that sounds thrilling plot wise, it is the story of a champion Canadian surfer named Westlake. He is in a surfing accident that leaves him in a vegetative state. This is like modern sarcastic Johnny Got His Gun. You see Rio Youers is an excellent writer takes the story of a man and a vegetative state and makes it funny and compelling. It is also suspenseful at times, and tragic.
Westlake sees himself as a superhero with the ability to use the 90% of his brain, most humans can't use. Too bad he can't use the 10% we take for granted. His family attend to broken body, while he travels around the spiritual realm. The stress of seeing their Westlake only able to drool is hard on them and they are thinking about letting him die.
Westlake Soul is a powerful character driven slow burn horror novel. Others might tell you it is not a horror novel, but I found it to be very much a horror novel. It would not work if Rio Youers was not a gifted writer. This is not an easy story to carry over 200 plus pages but he pulls it off. The story is powerful because the characters are rich, the events are both funny and tragic. Very impressive debut novel.
Westlake Soul is not a novel that sounds thrilling plot wise, it is the story of a champion Canadian surfer named Westlake. He is in a surfing accident that leaves him in a vegetative state. This is like modern sarcastic Johnny Got His Gun. You see Rio Youers is an excellent writer takes the story of a man and a vegetative state and makes it funny and compelling. It is also suspenseful at times, and tragic.
Westlake sees himself as a superhero with the ability to use the 90% of his brain, most humans can't use. Too bad he can't use the 10% we take for granted. His family attend to broken body, while he travels around the spiritual realm. The stress of seeing their Westlake only able to drool is hard on them and they are thinking about letting him die.
Westlake Soul is a powerful character driven slow burn horror novel. Others might tell you it is not a horror novel, but I found it to be very much a horror novel. It would not work if Rio Youers was not a gifted writer. This is not an easy story to carry over 200 plus pages but he pulls it off. The story is powerful because the characters are rich, the events are both funny and tragic. Very impressive debut novel.
pbanditp's review against another edition
5.0
This one may pull some heart strings. It is so well written and the characters are deep.
Westlake can not move. Totally dependent on family and a caregiver to feed, bathe, and 100% take care of him. The only thing Wes can do after a surfing accident took everything from him but his life, is think. Think and send out his mind. Wes can telepathically travel wherever he wants and he can speak with his dog.
Wes, his family, his friends, his caregiver, and most importantly, his dog, Hubba-Hubba, try to come to grips and continue with their lives while Wes is trying to even wiggle a finger.
Come keep Wes company while his family debates his future and he communicates in a fun and insightful way with his dog.
Westlake can not move. Totally dependent on family and a caregiver to feed, bathe, and 100% take care of him. The only thing Wes can do after a surfing accident took everything from him but his life, is think. Think and send out his mind. Wes can telepathically travel wherever he wants and he can speak with his dog.
Wes, his family, his friends, his caregiver, and most importantly, his dog, Hubba-Hubba, try to come to grips and continue with their lives while Wes is trying to even wiggle a finger.
Come keep Wes company while his family debates his future and he communicates in a fun and insightful way with his dog.
pacardullo's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful and riveting tale told from the point of view of a character who is "locked in". Thought provoking and well worth a read.