I was in the no camp for this. Intelligent idea, excellent writing. It probably deserved more of my time, rather than an audio read which I could veryI was in the no camp for this. Intelligent idea, excellent writing. It probably deserved more of my time, rather than an audio read which I could very well have invested more concentration.
A very clever plot, which I will not rehash here as many before me have so eloquently have, but I did just read an article which described the 'book Leo' and the 'letter Leo' which was a great way of looking at it.
A story within a story, and if you don't keep your eye on the prize (such as moi) you will miss good things. Hannah/Freddie are the writers.
I suppose I didn't love any of the characters, which is a breaking point in my reading, so I didn't have a bond with my reading experience.
This book, written within a book, with similarly named characters, and similar events. In both. Yes confusing!
I did enjoy the fictional story being set in Boston, as I love all things America for myself and with an Australian slant, and that Hannah was an Aussie.
The beta reader for the fictional story was creepy to the extreme, and he gave hints to Hannah about the Aussieisms that just didn't work for an American readership - and I loved that aspect - more as a cultural exploration. And I love these things.
I would have loved to love this more, but I didn't, and that's ok. I wasn't thrilled on the end, either. This was clever and menacing and a completely well written book, but it was lost on me.
I listened to this via the Libby platform and my public library....more
Cheryl is one crazy brave girl. Lots of negatives I've read here, yes she trekked inexperienced, but she did so well. I couldn't have done it! I wouldCheryl is one crazy brave girl. Lots of negatives I've read here, yes she trekked inexperienced, but she did so well. I couldn't have done it! I would have been so frightened the entire time that's for sure. I was interested that toward the end of her journey, she realised that ending the trek scared her as much as when she was setting out - she learned so much and began to feel normal on the road, solo. I think a lot of Cheryl's feeling lost, thus steering out on this amazing adventure to seek clarity, is because of her dysfunctional family situation, and her utter helplessness after losing her beloved mum. She did not have a standard support network at all, and in her reflections on her journey she mentioned her mum's lack of closeness to her friends as well. There was no one from her mum's circle to embrace her or offer support, no one who could check up on her. I did not contain one scrap of respect for her step father after her mother's death, I feel strongly about this! A lot of people act in reckless ways when dealing with grief, and I am of the firm belief that one cannot judge another, until they've walked that persons journey. Cheryl lost her way but certainly found it again, and I'm so happy for her. I do wonder how different this memoir would have been if written closer to the events. This was an interesting memoir, perhaps for me, 100 or so pages too long, but I'm so very glad I got to hear Cheryl's story. I shed a tear at the very last sentence. She can write too, I hope she's very proud of her efforts....more
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