Elsewhere
by Gabrielle Zevin
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.99 You Save: $5.00 (63%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Elsewhere
Book Review: Good Writing: Characters Not So Good
Summary: 3 Stars
I liked the book and the storyline was interesting but I did not like the main character, Liz. Liz is immature, which is probably what the author was going for since this book is about maturity, but I had a hard time reading about her when she kept talking about how this sweet character was a horrible person just because she loved her (Emily) own husband. Another reason why I didn't like Liz was because she didn't think Emily would come and so she started a relationship with Emily's husband and when Emily did come Liz didn't expect the relationship to stop. Liz even at one point asked the dog of the man she had the relationship with if she was angry at him, but she never asked the wife nor did she apologize.
Liz is painted as the typical teenager, dog loving and jeans wearing, she is not different or unusual or even "weird".
I liked the book but I did not like Liz. My favorite characters were Betty and Curtis and Emily. I think people should read this book but I just wanted to warn them about Liz.
Book Review: If you read only one book this year, please do NOT make it this one!!
Summary: 1 Stars
If I could give this book zero stars I would. This is possibly the worst book I have ever read. The writing style is drivel. ALmost the entire book is conversation. Sometimes details can drive you nuts but as I turned each page in this book I was practically begging for some description of anything! Everything in this book, and i mean everything is glossed over. No feel for the characters what so ever. I mean we have a story taking place in the afterlife and nothing is written to give you a feel of how the place looks!! I will save you the effort of reading it and sum the book up right now, almost exactly as it is written:
Liz dies, Liz is upset, Liz meets a boy, Liz gets a dog, Liz and boy have a fight, Liz is upset, Liz and boy make up, Liz is happy, dog goes back to earth, Liz goes back to earth. I saved you 300 pages.
PS the only reason I am sitting here being so critical is that I bought this booked based on a good review I read about it. So I would like to warn future readers in advance, it is horrible.
Book Review: We Roll Along...
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking for a book with a happy ending, this is not your book. Because the ending happens to be at the beginning of the book. This novel moves in backwards chronological order, setting the characters in motion towards a new life. This creates the effect that we as humans move in a cycle, and always have a chance to make a mark somewhere, even if it is in a place far away.
I think the amazing part of this book is that the dialogue doesn't necessarily move in the most satisfying way, but the plot, with all of its jagged edges, contributes to a satisfying ending that is really a new beginning. Be warned, though: there are expletives used in the book (mainly out of Liz's anger for her situation), one of the supporting characters died because of "an apparent heroin overdose", and Liz sees her parents in a more intimate moment, and sees her best friend in a similar moment.
All in all, the message in "Elsewhere" will leave a permanent mark on you.
Book Review: One of the greatest books ever printed. :)
Summary: 5 Stars
Once I first read the summary and description of the book I automatically captured it as an amazing book that I needed to go pick up immediately. Of course, time passed and I soon forgot, but when I reminisced about it and conveniently found it at a book store at Santa Monica beach, I purchased it and got to reading.
Automatically Gabrielle Zevin takes a turn by narrating the prologue by a DOG. Yes, the main character, Lizzie's dog. The story only got crazier after that by taking us into a twisty hurricane of a girl confused about life & death.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something to curl up with.
It has a twist of everything even including a little after death romance! <3 :)
I wont get into a high voltage discussion about the story's plot diagram because I'm sure after reading other people's reviews and just by "searching inside" you're pretty convinced!
GO OUT & BY THIS!
Thank you. :)
Book Review: Happiness is a Choice
Summary: 5 Stars
Great Discussion book. Great Book Period. This is one of the best books that I have ever read. My review doesn't do it justice, but that is just because I don't want to ruin this amazing book for you. Liz wakes up on a bunk in a boat not knowing where she is or how she got there. The shock of her life comes when she finds out that she is dead, the victim of a hit and run driver, and what's more important to her 15 year old self is that she will not turn 16 get her drivers license, go to college, get married or even get big [...]. This is a funny and heart-tugging book of Liz's journey through Elsewhere where she never gets older, but has an unexpected life and will grow younger until she is sent back to earth as a new born to experience life all over again. With the help of her grandmother that died before she is born, Liz makes this journey through anger, regret and triumph. It will definately make you look at the after-life in a totally different way.