One of my absolute favorites! Brutal, beautifully written. Just like Jess, above, the characters remain with me to this day. It’s well worth the difficult material.
I think it’s an important book. Because it changes the way you think about certain things – it has its flaws. But I found it an important experience, a sort of philosophical East meets West on mental health and the worth of life.
I think people give up on it too early. Have to admit I almost did. Its confusing until you catch on. I recommend this book to everyone I know. Cant explain why but I found it oddly cathartic
It’s a book people either really love or really hate. I LOVED it. Yes, I believe that some parts are just not realistic. However, it’s fiction, and for whatever reason I was 100 percent emotionally involved in the story and the characters.
Not familiar with that book. But no book is too long if its good. I do read tomes. Edward Rutherford and Diana Gabaldon for instance. And they aren’t too long. However I’ve read books that were too long at 50 pages. One of my other book groups has a “50 page rule”. If you can’ get into it by 50 pages, throw it against the wall. I don’t. I just throw them in the “donate” drawer. So you’re real question should be, is it GOOD ENOUGH to devote to reading all those pages. I read about 1000 pages a week on a slow week so.. . .
It’s really good…one of the best books I’ve ever read…it stuck with me and hasn’t left since. You really fall into the characters and it will have you all up in your feels! At least it did for me!
Yes! It’s a tear jerker but I was surprised how fast it went. There were about 100 pages I wish the author had cut since it felt repetitive but it so good.
It is well written, but in my opinion, too long and too sad. I say give it 100 pages, if you don’t like it then, then give it up, because the next 400 pages are pretty much the same.
Yes….i loved this book
Quick answer: No.
Tried
My absolute favorite book of all time. I still think of Willem, Jude & JB
Me too!! It’s such a well written book!
Malcom…?
@Katie I thought I wrote Malcolm? Him too. Although honestly less. Lol.
Yeah I’m literally 135 in and not a fan from character development one.
I love Jude ? Such a wonderfully well written book!
Omg Jude!!! Malcolm is the least.
From this perview I’d live JB and Jude. Maybe Willem. Never Malcolm.
@Katie agree!
I would love to go down the rabbit hole but I feel like we’re being exclusionist.
Nah
Read it for a book group. Ok but very modern, moody and sad. Not a happy book
Yes!!!! It’s haunting and beautiful. So worth it!!
I couldn’t get into it. Too depressing.
Oh my goodness, yes. But it’s heartbreaking.
One of my absolute favorites! Brutal, beautifully written. Just like Jess, above, the characters remain with me to this day. It’s well worth the difficult material.
I just started and I’m fully invested.
JB&Jude&Malcolm&Willem. It’s soooo good.
It just didn’t hold my interest. I tried two times. Maybe I’ll give it another go someday.
I’m a definite no but think I’m in the minority!
It’s one of those books that I continue to think about, two years after I have read it. Absolutely worth the time commitment.
Yes, I loved it
I’ll make marks bc I will pick up said book and I genuinely wish there were more current books written this well.
Pick up in that I’m currently reading and loving.
Oh G-d yes!
No, bleak all the way through
There are many other books that are bleak all the way through, but that doesn’t automatically make them not worth reading…
I think thats part of the appeal. It puts your own life into perspective. I rate it my all time favourite
I think there are some very happy parts of the book but I agree there are a lot of depressing parts.
I like a realistic amount of bleakness this was over done.
@Karen Indeed, it really was… But Hanya said in a few interviews that she did this on purpose, that she wanted everything to be pushed to extremes..
I think it’s an important book. Because it changes the way you think about certain things – it has its flaws. But I found it an important experience, a sort of philosophical East meets West on mental health and the worth of life.
Yes yes and yes..A journey every reader should take. Thought provoking
I think people give up on it too early. Have to admit I almost did. Its confusing until you catch on. I recommend this book to everyone I know. Cant explain why but I found it oddly cathartic
Another awesome book is the hearts invisible furies by John boyne.
Just read it, couldn’t recommend it enough!
I agree! Great book, with another amazing cast of characters that are graven on my heart.
LOVED this book!
It’s a book people either really love or really hate. I LOVED it. Yes, I believe that some parts are just not realistic. However, it’s fiction, and for whatever reason I was 100 percent emotionally involved in the story and the characters.
Not familiar with that book. But no book is too long if its good. I do read tomes. Edward Rutherford and Diana Gabaldon for instance. And they aren’t too long. However I’ve read books that were too long at 50 pages. One of my other book groups has a “50 page rule”. If you can’ get into it by 50 pages, throw it against the wall. I don’t. I just throw them in the “donate” drawer. So you’re real question should be, is it GOOD ENOUGH to devote to reading all those pages. I read about 1000 pages a week on a slow week so.. . .
It’s bleak and heavy and long but incredibly satisfying.
I found the character Jude extremely annoying. He is a jerk to good people and nice to jerks.
You missed the point of the story then 🙁
Yes!
Loved it… one of the best books I’ve ever read. People give out about the length but the length is necessary to develop the characters.
YES
Yes!
It’s really good…one of the best books I’ve ever read…it stuck with me and hasn’t left since. You really fall into the characters and it will have you all up in your feels! At least it did for me!
I really enjoyed it. I got so involved with the characters.
YES!!! Wonderful book! Heartbreaking though!
Definitely yes. One of the best books I have ever read.
So worth it!!!
Good writing,hated the characters.
Yes. But be prepared. It is long, but also terribly, terribly sad. Very worth reading. But not a pleasure.
Couldn’t get into this book. Will try again sometime. I couldn’t relate to the characters.
No, on my list of not to read,
Yes!
It was wrenching and I loved it. Some in my book club found it to be overwhelming.
YES
Hard but fabulous
I couldn’t finish it
Extraordinary writing and story, but very hard. So glad I listened to it (great narrator, also). Think of Jude often.
I loved it. One of my favorite books.
So worth it.
Yes! It’s a tear jerker but I was surprised how fast it went. There were about 100 pages I wish the author had cut since it felt repetitive but it so good.
NOOOOO. LOL
I read 50%. And just couldn’t ever get into it. Slow read.
Just didn’t like it…the narrative, the characters, the plot!
Prepare to be emotionally destroyed.
Yes
Absolutely loved it, favourite book of the year. Not an easy read but so beautiful
It is well written, but in my opinion, too long and too sad. I say give it 100 pages, if you don’t like it then, then give it up, because the next 400 pages are pretty much the same.
One of the most amazing books I’ve ever read! Read it!
NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO. I wish someone had prevented me from reading this.
It definitely is a love it or hate it book