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Hovering around 2.5 maybe. It didn't really do much for me. I'm ok with the premise, I just don't think it added much value to the emotional impact. Throwing part 2 in right as we MIGHT get some of the emotional weight was totally unnecessary. The epilogue had more heart than the rest of the book by far.

And for those who say this is some of the most beautiful writing you've read…where? It wasn't bad writing, but for something consistently praised for its writing, I was left a touch disappointed. There were some downright cheesy lines.

Groooooooan. I originally DNFd this but I was bored and persuaded to finish it. This was so dumb. The decisions made by characters were beyond my ability to suspend my disbelief. And I just read Pet Sematary. I kept waiting for something. Some twist, some reveal. The closest thing we get is so eye rolley it’s insulting.

4.5 stars

Hoo boy. Not scary like I expected but scary on an existential level. Definitely check the content warnings if you’re unsure.

1.5 stars. Edit to add: I listened to a bit of it as my gf listened because she wasn’t done with it and now I’m even more mad about how stupid this book is.

The premise is interesting but she didn’t really say much. If she hadn’t taken our current reality and just replaced any of the current struggles with equality and division with the strings, I could have been more on board. The Crash like ending was eye rolly and the lack of any meaningful arc left me unsatisfied.

A strong 4. Having just read East of Eden, I needed me some more Steinbeck. The introduction to the books says he wrote this to play out like a film and it absolutely does. Speaking of the into, if your copy has it, wait to read it until after you finish. It gives basically the whole book away.

I really liked it! It was a fun break from some of the heavier stuff I’ve read recently. I would love to see a series made from the book. The meta meta thing would be neat.

4.5 stars. I “liked” this more than the first. As much as one can like a book about such horrific history.

Loooved this. The sprawling timeline, the way the language and mood of the characters evolved to match the more modern settings and sensibilities. The narration shifted perspectives so seamlessly. I was never confused about whose perspective we were getting even amongst a scene with multiple characters. In the first couple chapters, the cast evolved so quickly that I didn’t think I’d care about anyone by the end, but that is not the case. I’ll think about these characters for a long time.