I recently bought and finished this book in 2 days and never felt bored. I cried so hard while reading it (Maybe the most I’ve ever cried over a book) because of how close to home it hit. I really enjoyed it and it vaguely reminded me of The House on Mango Street, especially the shorter chapters we get in the book.
I read some reviews afterward and while I understand a few of those criticisms, I still love the book as a whole. I always fear that I only love a book because of my age and it isn’t actually as wonderful as I think it is, but I enjoyed this book so thoroughly that I don’t even care about that anymore.
I also feel like I liked it a lot more than other reviewers because it reminded me of my past experiences. I always felt so isolated by them, so to read about similar happenings feels so refreshing.
Are there any books you have read that just made you cry over finally feeling seen/recognized?
by MetInFebuary
25 Comments
I loved it!!
I’m reading it, it’s getting intresting.
I love that book too! And have just finished the sequel “Aristotle and Dante dive into the waters of the world” which is just as lovely.
I read it for the first time around 7 years ago and it still holds the same place in my heart now! I was definitely worried that the sequel wouldn’t feel the same since I’m not Ari’s age anymore, but it still hit close to home 🙂
This is one of my top three favorite books of all time, it’s just magical
If you love a book then you love a book. Don’t let others’ opinions be your barometer.
It’s maybe not the same thing, but when I read Erin Morgenstern’s *The Starless Sea*, I cried because it felt like not only had someone seen me (Zachary is 100% me as a dude), but someone had written the book I’ve been waiting to read my whole life.
I just read it a week ago too, and also cried so much. Definitely very relatable for me, although sometimes I cried because I wish it was as easy in real life as in the story.
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i loved it! it was beautiful. it had such wonderful, amazing characters. :’)
I read this book many years ago and this one deeply impressed me. I still think about it now and then even after all these years, just recently even. The build up
of the ending was perfectly written. Such a swelling of emotion that crescendo to a joyous release. Plenty of books have made me cry but this one got me to happy cry, just stupidly grinning while big fat tears ran down my face.
WAIT THERE’S A SEQUEL?!?
Just fyi, there is a movie adaptation coming soon. The film is premiering this coming Friday, September 9th at the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s playing a couple of times during the festival and they also have an online streaming version of it as well if you’re in Canada. I have a streaming ticket, I’m looking forward to seeing it soon!
I’ve had this on my bookshelf for a year. Totally forgot about it untill now. Thanks!!
>The House on Mango Street
Oh, god, that sent me back and I got goosebumps. I’m gonna have to read this one, too
This book was the first book I actually picked up when I started high school. I remember crying so much while reading, I thought it was unbelievable to cry so much due to a book. I never thought I would cry because of a book.
Honestly though, this book is what made me enjoy reading now. I love it so much!
I haven’t read this yet, but the author wrote Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood which was beautiful and made me cry, so now I’m going to have to read this!
Ordering now, thanks for the tip!
{{Darius the Great is Not Okay}} has a similar vibe. And if you want to cry like a baby at another book along these lines I recommend {{They Both Die at the End}}. Just a heads up, I’m 34 years old and that book about two teenagers had be *fucked up.* It’s all I could think about for days. I don’t know the last time I’ve had a book hangover that bad.
Damn! I read the House on Mango Street as an 8th grade class book. It was intense. Haven’t thought about it in years but vividly recall so many scenes now.
omg I just started reading the plot and had to stop cause it made me cry lol definitely gonna queue this one up!
>I always fear that I only love a book because of my age and it isn’t actually as wonderful as I think it is, but I enjoyed this book so thoroughly that I don’t even care about that anymore.
Don’t ever worry about those things. What matters is your own subjective experience while reading the book. Everyone will experience it differently, even you a few years down the line if you happen to read it again, so if you enjoy the work of art now then that’s all that matters.
It can go the other direction as well. You may hate/find something boring now but may actually love it further down the line. Or don’t like something which everyone else seem to be raving about. All it means is that it’s not the right fit for you at the moment, it doesn’t invalidate your own experience in either case.
I just placed an order for the book after reading about your experience with it. I have no idea what it’s about but I’m willing to give it a chance.
Order placed!
thank you, I was about to pass up on it because my teenage son is reading it for school and keeps complaining about the book.
which only proves my theory, if you want someone to enjoy a book don’t put it on the school curriculum lol
It makes me bummed to see you questioning your own enjoyment after reading the reviews. Screw em! If you love it, you love it.