emmacb's reviews
176 reviews

This is a nice read, but struggles with it's pacing. Had this not been a recommendation from my Mum, who I was staying with whilst reading it, I probably wouldn't have made it past the first 100 pages. The start of the book suffers from a lack of likeable characters - this is clearly intentional as the two main characters both go to the opposite extreme to cope with the same situation, so I understand it from a storytelling point of view. However, 100+ pages of characters who are almost irritating in their emotional idiocy is a lot to get through. I also felt the ending was a bit rushed after the long build up.

That being said, I am glad I slogged through the first part of the book, as I really enjoyed the ending, short though it may have been! A good read, but not one I will be keeping on my shelf!

Really enjoyed this book. The opening caught me immediately and then the story held my attention all the way through. Malcolm was a lovely central character, and I felt the thought processes of a boy his age were captured well.
Only downside was that because I had the beautiful hardback version of the book, I could only really read it at home because it was too hefty to carry round with me! Worth it for the lovely dust cover and cover though! Pre-ordered the sequel... In hardback, and enjoying it now too!

Beautiful prose. Sometimes while reading I couldn't help but smile

A very quick read which did not end how I thought it would! Makes you think, which is always a good thing. The copy I read had several blank pages at the back, which felt to me like a physical prompt to do that thinking - giving you some blank space to fill with how the story could continue, what it might mean and so on.

I enjoyed this book, when I read it. The problem I had was that it didn't really draw me back to read it, I always had to remind myself to read, and at one point didn't pick it up for nearly a month! I also can't help but feel it was longer than it really needed to be!
That said, I found the writing very witty and felt like I really got to know the characters and their relationships so there's something to be said for the length!

A good read, but a couple of bits I wasn't sure about:
First, the love sub-plot that is developing with one of the characters doesn't feel very developed to me. I don't really see where the love has come from and frankly it comes across as a little creepy due to the lack of build-up. Its not an unbelievable pairing as such, I think I might even like it in another context but the fact that no time is dedicated to showing the feelings grow (at least on his side) means it feels a bit out of left field. Even on the other side it feels a little rushed. That said, it's a chunky book already so I suppose time is limited!

Secondly, the incident on the train felt a little unnecessary.. that being said, it is a representation of a genuine fear a lot of women have travelling alone, and Pullman is excellent at weaving things together so the narrative purpose of seemingly insignificant things comes clean at the end, so for now I will hold faith in his abilities!

Overall it was still an interesting enough read to make me carry it around to read on the way to work in its own separate bag when it didn't fit in my handbag!

Quite a similar style and concept to another 'All My Friends are Superheroes' by Andrew Kaufman, and I can't help but feel that Kaufman did it better!

I enjoyed the straight-faced ridiculousness of this story, but overall it didn't quite do it for me.

I have not enjoyed a book this much in a long time. This book had me on the edge of my seat and made me cry and completely absorbed me in a way I'd almost forgotten books can do.

I know absolutely nothing about fishing, so as much as anything reading about the different techniques and methods the Old Man uses was interesting! The descriptions of the Old Man's struggles with the fish were really engaging - enough that my housemates were laughing at my expressions when I read it in the lounge!

Not a big fan of that paragraph about how women can't help their behaviour changing as, like the sea they are controlled by the moon, but I'm going to allow that in the context of an older character who may have old-fashioned ideas... also, to be fair, mood swings are a thing! XD