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The book has great characters you get to know well, like most Irving novels. He also explores some new main themes in skiing and LGBTQ+ issues.

But he repeats a bit too much, annoyingly. And I know of no other author that gets so hung up on his secondary themes. It's like Irving bingo. See if any of these ring a bell: author protagonist, Austria-love, a super short man, hotel fixations, wrestling!, a hint of incest, boarding school... It's got 'em all. Also, make sure you like reading screenplays; there's a few interlaced in the narrative.

Others didn't hit with me.

Another fun little story, this time in the 'normal' world under a different setting.

The short nature of these novels (novellas? novelettes?) gives a succinctness to the stories. They're in and out without dwelling or nostalgia.

Really good though. I'm still enjoying the different worlds of the series.

I cried a little at the end.

The conceit of the series is that there's endless worlds, so it's interesting to see what's next. I'll continue with this series.

The book's well written, (Patchett is great). There were many characters (I confused myself) and some frustrating events (by design). But then the book ends.

When I think about it, all the themes were tied up, but I'm just not sure how to feel about it. Didn't get a sense of what she was saying either.

Maybe I'll reread it some day.

I haven't read many essay collections, so can't compare. These were great.

The telling of the story is humorous and light, but ultimately, it's a very sad tale. Not depressing, but pulling a sadness out.

If you don't mind the formulas of fantasy writing, then stop reading this review and read the book. You'll love it. There's a very interesting protagonist and a strong ending.

In the early chapters, there were two fantasy-style formulasat play: excessive descriptions and the use of phrases like "seemed like" or "it was as if..." If these writing devices are used before the characters are establishes, it pulls me out of the story. Because I'm asking, "Who sees the world this way?" or "Seemed like to whom?" Without a narrator character or a POV, then the devices fall flat to me.

Okay, rant done. The book was saved by a protagonist that has a very interesting motivation and way of seeing things. Plus the ending is very satisfying. I'll rate this as 3/5 and check out the next book in the series. Maybe I'll lift to 4 if the series continues well. I'm interested in the characters enough to overlook the rant.

Edit: The next book, Down Among the Sticks and Bones is really fun. It focuses on one set of characters from this book, making it like a prologue. I'll keep reading the series.

When written well, an annoying character doesn't have to be annoying (I'm looking at you Holden.). In the beginning of the novel and by her own admission, Tookie is a 'bad' person. But I still hoped for her. Then her life settles and she's funny and angry and scared and sad. I was with her the whole way.

A beautiful book.

I wasn't forced to read this in school, and I was curious why all the psychopaths have it as their favorite book.

I still don't know.

It's a good portrait of a spoiled kid with some mental illness. After, I read some thought PTSD, and that sounds about right. It's like talking to a 17 yr old, but the message is strong. Worth reading.