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kredikooreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
hbweisman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Death of parent
tayrayholla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
_sofiia_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i feel renewed. [and un-lobotomised after the talking head of orpheus from russell hoban].
this was indeed "a celebration of life's possibilities" (The Guardian) threading through the multitude of alternative lives across an absorbing plot. beautiful concept of a library that exists between life and death and is filled with books, or rather portals leading to lives where regrets are undone.
emotionally, this is a tough read and has lots of triggers related to suicide, depression, and, on balance with life's joyous possibilities, the chances of different failures, misfortunes, imperfections, and heartbreaks. however, it reads easily otherwise, which would usually be a deal-breaker for me but not this time. sure, the lessons that the protagonist learns are often clichés, and the writing style is not for a literary connoisseur club. but as a lighter read (not in terms of mood, at least in the first 30% of the book) and as something to read for fun and simple inspiration, the book does its job. it leaves you moved by the resolute beauty and meaning in every life and reassured to let go of your regrets for the paths untaken. non, je ne regrette rien, en effet!
ultimately, the character's journey reminds us about what truly matters in life, no matter the particularities of your existence: love, social connectedness, self-acceptance, and gratitude for this one, true, root life that you've got.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
hrhjael's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
lisa_hin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident
kazbrack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Car accident
brittanyannreads_1986's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Addiction and Self harm
chookie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I decided to pick this book up on a whim several months after my entire life was tipped on its head and experienced several traumatic losses one after another and was beginning to lose myself again and sight of the point of waking up on the morning.
For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a morbid curiosity with the afterlife and “what if’s”. I’ve had to make several life altering decisions and sometimes I wonder what my life would’ve looked like if I had of made a different decision. I don’t consider these decisions regrets in the slightest but sometimes i just wonder how different my life could’ve look now if I made different choices.
This book explores the concept of regret and making the most out of the life you’re given. As someone who has also looked down the barrel of death on several occasions and toyed with the idea of not waking up in the morning, this book NAILS what it’s like to be faced with those choices and the difference between life and death.
Without spoiling anything I suggest that everyone reads this book, particularly if you’re feeling lost, in a dark place or navigating your 20s/midlife crisis. EVERYONE should read this book.
Was it perfect? No absolutely not. But was it honest? Yes. Did it tackle a topic of the human condition and struggles many people face at least once in their lives in a way anyone can understand and conceptualise? FUCKING YES
Do yourself a favour and read this book.
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
Atmosphere: 10/10
Intrigue: 7/10
Logic: 9/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Overall: 8.7/10
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, and Death of parent