This felt like a prolonged writing exercise. It had some really nice moments, but a lot of the scenarios, dialogue, and alternating timeline felt moreThis felt like a prolonged writing exercise. It had some really nice moments, but a lot of the scenarios, dialogue, and alternating timeline felt more utilized for impact on the reader than flowing truthfully and organically.
Some of it was well done (and I appreciate the author‘s refusal to slut shame and both characters taking responsibility for their part in the issues the marriage is experiencing), but this book honestly was not enjoyable to read at all, even as angst porn. While there are serious situations, they are unrelentingly heavy without pain that feels deep enough; I’m not discounting the scenarios at all, more the way they are portrayed. This was overall 95% bummer to me, even though I mostly liked the characters, the mysterious box, etc. (view spoiler)[Genuine respect for not going with a pregnancy HEA, a la Abby Jiminez, or some other bullshit scenario. This ending feels right and good. (hide spoiler)]
Trigger warnings: prolonged fertility issues, possible pending divorce, (view spoiler)[and miscarriage (hide spoiler)]. I wish I’d known before starting it.
3 stars on merit, but 2.5 stars on personal enjoyment....more
This story makes a mockery of love, emotional integrity, and mental illness, and it's glamoured by unmagical magical realism, a "sophisticated" lit<.<
This story makes a mockery of love, emotional integrity, and mental illness, and it's glamoured by unmagical magical realism, a "sophisticated" literary style, and a twist upon which everything else hinges. I despise feeling manipulated (much as many of the characters in this book would if they had any sense), especially when the plot and writing are not particularly remarkable, and when the characters and relationships are so incredibly shallow and meaningless.
There's an attempt to interject a point to the story in the end, I suppose, but it's only a footnote to this elaborate, heartless exercise in writing technique.
I think this may end up being a DNF for me; consider this a prelimary reaction as I put it on hold. I've only read a few chapters so far, but I'm struI think this may end up being a DNF for me; consider this a prelimary reaction as I put it on hold. I've only read a few chapters so far, but I'm struggling with the quirky/cute style married with a subject as serious as suicide. I mean, are we going to see self-mutilation or child abuse or domestic violence or homophobia painted with cotton candy colors next? This is one of those set-ups (girl meets boy as they're both standing on a ledge contemplating suicide, rat-a-tat precocious-funny dialogue ensues) that probably works better as an indie darling romantic comedy film than it does in book form, as there are no soundtracks or Instagram-type filters or dizzying camera tricks to distract from the main point of the story.
It's not that I don't think heavy topics can't be handled with a light hand (see the excellent--and hilarious--Suicide Notes, and I believe pretty much every John Green novel I haven't read), but thus far I'm not charmed enough by the relationships or humor or writing here to forget that suicide is used as a cute plot device. If the book also dealt well with the serious, no-shit implications and consequences of the acts these kids are contemplating, I might be more inclined to continue, but after chatting with my fabulous co-blogger Layla, it doesn't sound like that really ever happens--and in fact, the severe depression and (view spoiler)[and mental illness and manic pixie dream boy trope (hide spoiler)] don't sound like they're handled with satisfactory weight. She wrote a real review for the book here: http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2015... discussing specifics if you're curious.
I'm wondering too--do reactions to this book vary depending on how much personal experience you've had with suicide or depression? Suicide has touched my life in ways that have forever changed me, and while I don't consider myself overly sensitive or prone to reacting to triggering material, other readers might find it easier to accept this facile treatment--or even harder, depending on your history.
Most readers I know seem to be absolutely loving this book, though, so take our reactions with that in mind. As I have a mental block with it at this point, I'm setting it aside for now, though I'm guessing I might come back to it out of curiosity, or if the year-end awards cycle sweeps this one up in its wake. It certainly seems like just the type of book that would be prone to do that.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
For readers who don't mind Message Books in which plot points and characters are jerked around for ultimate emotional manipulation.For readers who don't mind Message Books in which plot points and characters are jerked around for ultimate emotional manipulation....more
Wendy Darling
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emotionally-manipulative
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