Brutal, gritty, and impossible to put down, but with a surprising amount of heart.
Harper did an excellent job of characterization and melded action anBrutal, gritty, and impossible to put down, but with a surprising amount of heart.
Harper did an excellent job of characterization and melded action and emotion seamlessly. And that bear! Who knew that a teddy bear could be integral to an adult novel about gangs and murder? But Harper did it and it fits perfectly, without being gimmicky in the slightest. That bear and Polly truly steal the show, as we watch her grow and see her relationship with her father deepen. You know, while she learns to fight dirty, do chokeholds, and fire guns. Nate is equally interesting, learning to care about her and the strange ways his life prepared him for that.
Merged review:
Brutal, gritty, and impossible to put down, but with a surprising amount of heart.
Harper did an excellent job of characterization and melded action and emotion seamlessly. And that bear! Who knew that a teddy bear could be integral to an adult novel about gangs and murder? But Harper did it and it fits perfectly, without being gimmicky in the slightest. That bear and Polly truly steal the show, as we watch her grow and see her relationship with her father deepen. You know, while she learns to fight dirty, do chokeholds, and fire guns. Nate is equally interesting, learning to care about her and the strange ways his life prepared him for that....more
A uniquely suffocating story of the apocalypse, where two elderly sisters have subsisted for decades on habit and fearful memories of their mother. WhA uniquely suffocating story of the apocalypse, where two elderly sisters have subsisted for decades on habit and fearful memories of their mother. When a boy arrives out of the emptiness of the world, their bonds begin to fracture. Will this destroy their garden home? And if it does, are they losing a sanctuary or fleeing a prison?
I particularly loved how perceptions of the characters -- and it's such a small cast, essentially being two sisters, their deceased parents, and a boy that is more catalyst than person -- shift and change as the story progresses. Some data comes from flashbacks, but others arise as breaking from stasis allows more thoughts and more words from each sister....more
I've been pondering this book for days now, trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. I don't know that I'm really there yet, but after watcI've been pondering this book for days now, trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. I don't know that I'm really there yet, but after watching "Midnight Mass" on Netflix, maybe I have some coherent thoughts.
Both stories explore what death means and what trying to avoid it does, though the show is obviously a horror rather than fantasy story, though I would also say that the character arcs are equally horrific -- but also strangely beautiful. Both stories are incredibly moving and don't pull their punches and, in the end, reach similar conclusions about what comes after. There's the grief and tragedy and trauma, for sure. It's not GOOD to die before your time. But... maybe what comes after isn't the worst.
Of course, that's where the two stories diverge with their messages. "Midnight Mass" is about outside forces, whereas "And This is How to Stay Alive" begins with a suicide. And believe me, reading about a queer person deciding they can't last in this world is typically the LAST thing I want to read about. I understand if that keeps you away from this. But, despite the tragedy, the musings on death and hopelessness were cathartic rather than misery porn. There's a lot of guilt to go around with the different perspectives, but not really blame, I think. (also, I typically dislike books with multiple POVs because they just slow everything down... but this tiny book used the POVs perfectly) A bit that resonated with me was how being "rescued" can feel from the other side... It certainly has me thinking about when I get into rescue mode, but also how I feel when I need it...
Anyway, I am ridiculously impressed with how much power and insight and emotion was packed into a hundred pages and I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.
Merged review:
I've been pondering this book for days now, trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. I don't know that I'm really there yet, but after watching "Midnight Mass" on Netflix, maybe I have some coherent thoughts.
Both stories explore what death means and what trying to avoid it does, though the show is obviously a horror rather than fantasy story, though I would also say that the character arcs are equally horrific -- but also strangely beautiful. Both stories are incredibly moving and don't pull their punches and, in the end, reach similar conclusions about what comes after. There's the grief and tragedy and trauma, for sure. It's not GOOD to die before your time. But... maybe what comes after isn't the worst.
Of course, that's where the two stories diverge with their messages. "Midnight Mass" is about outside forces, whereas "And This is How to Stay Alive" begins with a suicide. And believe me, reading about a queer person deciding they can't last in this world is typically the LAST thing I want to read about. I understand if that keeps you away from this. But, despite the tragedy, the musings on death and hopelessness were cathartic rather than misery porn. There's a lot of guilt to go around with the different perspectives, but not really blame, I think. (also, I typically dislike books with multiple POVs because they just slow everything down... but this tiny book used the POVs perfectly) A bit that resonated with me was how being "rescued" can feel from the other side... It certainly has me thinking about when I get into rescue mode, but also how I feel when I need it...
Anyway, I am ridiculously impressed with how much power and insight and emotion was packed into a hundred pages and I'll be thinking about this book for a long time....more
I wasn't really sure what to expect of this one. I thought that Beartown and some of his shorter works got a little more literary, a little less warm I wasn't really sure what to expect of this one. I thought that Beartown and some of his shorter works got a little more literary, a little less warm than I'd come to expect. So, with the set up, I kind of assumed this would be along those lines. But maybe it would be a little thrillery too with the hostage situation?
It turned out to be neither of those things.
I think this returns to the warmth I got from Ove and Britt-Marie and it left me so happy. It's a story of people coming together, of not fitting in, of striving for happiness and -- finally -- being able to reach that because of community. Of course, in this one, it turns out that community can be a transient, new thing. Instead of the neighborhoods that Ove and Britt-Marie become a part of, this is a random group of people viewing an apartment. Perhaps they should have nothing to bond them together, but, once you dig a little deeper you find out that maybe people aren't so different after all.
It's also a story about the rippling effects of tragedy across the years. But, luckily, not in a way that's going to leave you cold and down.
Anyway, looking back over this, it all sounds so trite... but, believe me, it isn't. Backman writes with such skill that it's moving and uplifting and important feeling. It's one of the best books I've read this month....more
I didn't have the "I need to read comforting, sweet" things reaction to COVID quarantines. I wanted scary. So I've read quite a few pandemic books thiI didn't have the "I need to read comforting, sweet" things reaction to COVID quarantines. I wanted scary. So I've read quite a few pandemic books this year... and this one definitely stands out from the others. Partly, it's that this is NOT a horror novel. That subtitle says it all -- "a novel of hope and recovery after pandemic." There is tension, though, over all, the stakes are pretty low in this novel. the tension all comes from human issues, though: Can I keep my family together? Can I keep my home and career? Am I allowed to be who I want to be? These are things many people can identify with, even when we haven't gone through a pandemic.
More than any of that, though, I just loved the characters. They were relatable and lovable and just so easy to root for. Additionally, each of the three adults has a major flaw that is also a major strength, depending on how they use it. I love that message.
Now I've seen some other reviews on here talking about how things didn't make sense and nitpicking this and that bit... And honestly, going back in my head, I don't think much of that holds up. Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but, to me, each thing was backed up in the world building. For instance, the agency that might take away children for what seem like small reasons... We know from excerpts and just background conversations and things that not only was there a cult that led to the death of many children, but also that a lot of people are having traumatic responses to the giant death toll... Heck, several characters have traumatic experiences with family pre-pandemic. So, it's not that the agency is RIGHT in their decisions, but I can see how well meaning, panicked citizens could help create such a thing. Not to get too political, but we see similar panicked responses Issues every day.
At any rate, it's a book that did make me feel good in these difficult times and delved deeply into the found family trope I love so much....more
This was an excellent novel about the effects of addiction, police corruption, and the importance of family -- found or otherwise. Now, this book was This was an excellent novel about the effects of addiction, police corruption, and the importance of family -- found or otherwise. Now, this book was handed to me as a mystery. I don't think it worked as one for me (but obviously, a glance at the shelves goodreads users have used say there are many people who would disagree with me). For me, I want more clues, more focus on the puzzle if I'm reading a mystery. This did have police work, but the solution was more about talking to the right person than following the breadcrumb trail. That said, read as a thriller or even as an exploration of life and family, this was top notch. One aspect that lends to the thriller feel is that there is a strong thread of tension for the safety of family members.
This is an easy read when it comes to subject matter. There is a lot of pain and heartbreak that references real world issues that are not particularly uncommon in our society. The writing, however, is smooth and engaging. It will pull you along from start page one to the very end. It's a deeply empathetic novel that will help your heart grow three sizes....more