Marx’s death and I am genuinely sobbing. It was so sudden. I love how invested I am in the book - like you know it’s good when you feel so sad at a character death (like being 12 and reading that Sirius Black dies). God though, Marx was so good and kind, it’s so sad. Feel like I don’t even want to keep reading.
Sirius dies?! Thanks for the spoiler!
my favorite book of 2022. enjoy 💝
The way I opened this post by mistake and just spoiled myself, I am sick!
Ooooh I’m so sorry! I thought the Spoiler tag would be enough but think I need it more explicit in the title next time! The book is still well worth reading, and maybe even sadder knowing he dies at some point? The story does span a long time!
I thought the writing in this chapter shone and was a cut above that of the rest of the book. It also made me cry.
I felt the writing style was good and I enjoyed the book however I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I felt bad for Sam throughout the whole story; he has so much trauma, clearly low self-esteem, and had to watch his best friend with the girl he loved. Marx’s death, while beautifully written, was a convenient plot twist to get him out of the picture. It felt like the story was setting up for Sam and Sadie to finally be together, and I must admit, I was disappointed when that never came to be. The character that annoyed me the most was Sadie. She was so mean to Sam: always angry at him, unempathetic, and ignoring him when he tried to reach out. Her way of “redeeming” herself by coming to his grandfather’s funeral was literally the bare minimum of friendship.
This scene made me sob really publicly on a train. So so sad. I loved the book, definitely understand why it isn’t for everyone but thought the characters were so well drawn. Marx <3
I could not have read it in public! Agree, I think the characters feel very real.
I don’t know why but I couldn’t finish this book. I was looking forward to it as it seemed like my kind of book, but couldn’t read past the first 3 or so chapters.
The writing felt awful - does anyone know what style it is specifically? I can’t recall if it was a third person/first person thing, or something to do with it being too “young”/“hipster” or whether it was something else. But something really irked me about it.
I finished it but it was meh to me. Her writing was super pretentious IMO. I’ve never had to look up so many words while reading. It’s like yes, we get it, you went to Harvard. 🙄
This is the most heartbreaking book, but one of the best I’ve read in many years. One of those books I wish I hadn’t read yet, so that I could go back and read it again.
I don’t like much YA, but that one was a good read.
Now, I got it in exchange for a review, and gave it to the library I work for. It’s been sitting on the shelf for several months now, literally zero people read it. It’s frustrating…
That was such a good death because I was so sad for everyone.
Yes!!! Like I know it’s a bit of a cliche that Sadie was just pregnant but honestly, it was a kicker!
I was actually thinking of Serious Black. I cried.
That death was the marker for how emotional I find all book deaths!
:)
Shit, didn’t see the spoiler. I just got the part where they founded their own company
Kind of excited I guess? Anytime Marx appears I’ll start thinking “is this it?”
Absolutely! And the story spans quite a long time!
I wish I could read that book again for the first time. Brilliant. Creative. Heartbreaking.
He was the only character I cared about. I just could not get into that book.
Same, I couldn’t stand Sam which didn’t help.
Agree, cannot stand him! The way he treated Marx was awful.
Just finished the audiobook today. It was the only section narrated by a man, and I was more locked into listening to that than I’ve been with any audiobook pretty much ever.
I liked the book overall, but I would’ve probably thought it was just alright if not for that and the Friendship section soon after. Pretty good (and heartbreaking) stuff!
Agreed! That section is definitely a turning point where we get to see the massive rift between the characters and all the growth they had to go through to close it.