This was my favorite read of 2017, and I absolutely loved your review! If you ever think about re-reading it, please check out the audio version - it enhances the text tenfold! I can’t wait to read another John Boyne novel! I think my next one might be The Absolutist.
I wasn't sure if it would be good on audio - it's hard to tell with epically long literary fiction titles. But now that you say it, I think it would be a great one on audio. I'll have to keep that in mind!
I agree 100% with what you said about missing characters after finishing the book. I’ve never felt this way about certain fictional characters before and it’s amazing how real they felt to me.
Oh man, I didn't realize this one was out in paperback already! Everyone who read it last year seemed to rave about it, but I didn't grab it just because I don't like really large hard cover books haha I'll need to make sure to grab it soon now!
I preordered the paperback because I knew it was one I wanted to read, but I really didn't care for the hardcover design. Also, I was intimidated by the size, and the paperback is nice and compact. I read it straight away, so I don't think it has even been out a month yet.
I was looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this - I've heard great things about it, and now I'm definitely adding it to my TBR! I've been hankering for a longer book to fall into, so maybe this will be the next one I pick up. I'm really enjoying your week of 5-minute reviews, too! :)
U.M. - thank you for the review. I am 1/3 of the way through the book (1966) and I just love the characters. Mary-Margaret Muffet (Cyril's girlfriend) doesn't realize how funny she is...."high standards". I can barely put the book down and look forward to seeing Cyril's life unfold. (He is such a good person.)
A friend of mine and I read this book during Hard Lockdown. I read it and then recommended it to her. It is now months later and we still refer to 'It's not my standard". Thanks for the reminder lol.
I loved this book so much...I gave it 5 stars, and I super duper loved it. However, I found that there were a few "deaths" (you know which) that happened SO conveniently at the right time.....that was like....really? What are the odds? There were 2-3 coincidental deaths or.....strangely convenient for driving the plot....that I was more interested to see how the character deals with that challenge presented, rather than just off them because they posed a threat.
That's sort of why I thought of it like a fairy tale. SPOILER: This thought first occurred to me during the birth scene at the beginning, and that Cyril is born surrounded by violence and blood and death. It was very melodramatic. I also felt this when the priest dies in the confessional. It was a super silly thing to happen, and totally unrealistic, but I had already bought into the story enough that it didn't pull me out of the narrative, and I was able to suspend my disbelief. I see the plot devices, but I am also not mad at them.
yeah, I was suprirsed at how well it worked as well....i decided to go with "life has many coincidences anyway...and every chapter here is 7 years apart...so the odds of some drama is likely"...
This was my favorite read of 2017, and I absolutely loved your review! If you ever think about re-reading it, please check out the audio version - it enhances the text tenfold! I can’t wait to read another John Boyne novel! I think my next one might be The Absolutist.
I wasn't sure if it would be good on audio - it's hard to tell with epically long literary fiction titles. But now that you say it, I think it would be a great one on audio. I'll have to keep that in mind!
I agree 100% with what you said about missing characters after finishing the book. I’ve never felt this way about certain fictional characters before and it’s amazing how real they felt to me.
i just finished this book today and omg i ADORED it. i cant remember the last time i read a book so quickly and enjoyed it so much. ❤❤
Oh man, I didn't realize this one was out in paperback already! Everyone who read it last year seemed to rave about it, but I didn't grab it just because I don't like really large hard cover books haha I'll need to make sure to grab it soon now!
I preordered the paperback because I knew it was one I wanted to read, but I really didn't care for the hardcover design. Also, I was intimidated by the size, and the paperback is nice and compact. I read it straight away, so I don't think it has even been out a month yet.
I have this book sitting on my shelf. I guess it's time to pick it up.Great video - I love it when someone really loves a book.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)
I have never heard of this, so thank you! Adding it to my list!
Ahh, so good!!
I was looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this - I've heard great things about it, and now I'm definitely adding it to my TBR! I've been hankering for a longer book to fall into, so maybe this will be the next one I pick up. I'm really enjoying your week of 5-minute reviews, too! :)
Yes! I think it is the perfect long book because it was very immersive and engrossing. Also, I'm glad you're enjoying the reviews!
U.M. - thank you for the review. I am 1/3 of the way through the book (1966) and I just love the characters. Mary-Margaret Muffet (Cyril's girlfriend) doesn't realize how funny she is...."high standards". I can barely put the book down and look forward to seeing Cyril's life unfold. (He is such a good person.)
A friend of mine and I read this book during Hard Lockdown. I read it and then recommended it to her. It is now months later and we still refer to 'It's not my standard". Thanks for the reminder lol.
Thank you for confirming that I need to read this book!
I loved this book so much...I gave it 5 stars, and I super duper loved it. However, I found that there were a few "deaths" (you know which) that happened SO conveniently at the right time.....that was like....really? What are the odds? There were 2-3 coincidental deaths or.....strangely convenient for driving the plot....that I was more interested to see how the character deals with that challenge presented, rather than just off them because they posed a threat.
That's sort of why I thought of it like a fairy tale. SPOILER:
This thought first occurred to me during the birth scene at the beginning, and that Cyril is born surrounded by violence and blood and death. It was very melodramatic. I also felt this when the priest dies in the confessional. It was a super silly thing to happen, and totally unrealistic, but I had already bought into the story enough that it didn't pull me out of the narrative, and I was able to suspend my disbelief. I see the plot devices, but I am also not mad at them.
yeah, I was suprirsed at how well it worked as well....i decided to go with "life has many coincidences anyway...and every chapter here is 7 years apart...so the odds of some drama is likely"...
I interpret the seven year cycles to be about the cycles of Saturn in his astrology.
Lovely review. This one is definitely on my wish list.
Thanks! It is fabulous and I hope you love it too.
Today in 2020 I order only after your video watch thank you, for review