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dorodor's review
4.0
This was definitely a cover pick for me but I gladly stayed for this utterly messed up story. I loved every aspect of the writing style so much, it was fantastic. It read as if I were the main character who was quite difficult to resonate with but I was here for it. Maybe a few things were a bit unrealistic but I found it quite enjoyable regardless and if we think about it why could stuff like this not happen. I really can see this as the next big thing, and to think it is a debut.. The only thing I had problems with is that I just couldn't start liking the main character, but you can't like everyone, that doesn't mean there shouldn't be books about unlikeable people. Also there were so many feelings or sort of lessons to take away from this. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending though, but oh well.
Regardless, this book is a whole mood, I suggest you go for it.
Regardless, this book is a whole mood, I suggest you go for it.
kirstieellen's review
Very boring and characters were not likeable at all. Too slow to make the effort to continue.
katy_zeng's review
3.0
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley.
I need to say that the cover attracted me the most, but when I read the synopsis I knew I needed to read the book. The book is unique not only because of the plot but because it is written in second person, as If it was me who is experiencing everything.
The first part was pretty slow, but then the book gets more and more interesting 👀 Although the story and the writing style was interesting, this was not my style of book 😕
Moreover, I didn't empathise with the protagonist and there were parts which I didn't like ´my´ decisions so I couldn't get completely into the story.
What I do have to highlight is the words that the author wrote and there were a lot of phrases that touched me 🥺
I need to say that the cover attracted me the most, but when I read the synopsis I knew I needed to read the book. The book is unique not only because of the plot but because it is written in second person, as If it was me who is experiencing everything.
The first part was pretty slow, but then the book gets more and more interesting 👀 Although the story and the writing style was interesting, this was not my style of book 😕
Moreover, I didn't empathise with the protagonist and there were parts which I didn't like ´my´ decisions so I couldn't get completely into the story.
What I do have to highlight is the words that the author wrote and there were a lot of phrases that touched me 🥺
emboivinguay's review
3.0
You are lost. You cannot seem to know where you are, what you are, and most importantly why you are more than half of the time. You wish you could disappear. Get forgotten. And that is what you will do.
This is simply one of the most intriguing book I have ever read in my entire life. First of all, it was the first time I read a book told in a narration at the second person singular. It was really engrossing and got my attention from the very first page because of it. As a reader, you get sucked into this tale run by a mysterious character that you know so much and so little of at the very same time. It showed that thoughts are so intimate. You can't usually have access to all this information, and yet, here you are reading about a stranger's wish on disappearing from the face of the world. I really liked that concept of the story.
On the other hand, as much as the idea sounds and was brilliant to me, it also played against me. I could not get attached to this narrator. She was plainly despicable to me. Unloveable. I could not support her. This problem is very frequent with me. I won't be able to like the character and my overall appreciation of the story is affected by that. I have to say that as much as she was unloveable, she was also extremely reliable at times. It was refreshing to have a YA main character that is not the "oh so plain girl that makes every boys in a 8 miles radius spin". So I liked that about her.
All in all, the concept is original, the character despicable but relatable. The story is filled with twists and turns and kept surprising me, but the end is quite unmemorable to me. It's the kind of book where the journey is rough, but the memories from it are great. Pick it up to be shocked and brought out of your comfort zone.
This is simply one of the most intriguing book I have ever read in my entire life. First of all, it was the first time I read a book told in a narration at the second person singular. It was really engrossing and got my attention from the very first page because of it. As a reader, you get sucked into this tale run by a mysterious character that you know so much and so little of at the very same time. It showed that thoughts are so intimate. You can't usually have access to all this information, and yet, here you are reading about a stranger's wish on disappearing from the face of the world. I really liked that concept of the story.
On the other hand, as much as the idea sounds and was brilliant to me, it also played against me. I could not get attached to this narrator. She was plainly despicable to me. Unloveable. I could not support her. This problem is very frequent with me. I won't be able to like the character and my overall appreciation of the story is affected by that. I have to say that as much as she was unloveable, she was also extremely reliable at times. It was refreshing to have a YA main character that is not the "oh so plain girl that makes every boys in a 8 miles radius spin". So I liked that about her.
All in all, the concept is original, the character despicable but relatable. The story is filled with twists and turns and kept surprising me, but the end is quite unmemorable to me. It's the kind of book where the journey is rough, but the memories from it are great. Pick it up to be shocked and brought out of your comfort zone.
sarahhreads's review
4.0
4/5 stars
What first intrigued me about this book was the cover, but after reading the description I was even more interested. How to Disappear is the unique and beautifully written story of “you.” Told in the second person, this books follows as “you” try to disappear from society and the past. In many ways, this book is about self love, acceptance, and belonging. There are many thought provoking themes present and a couple of darker moments, displaying frank and practically written violence, and some depictions of self harm.
My favorite part about this book was the quotes. I thought the style and flow of writing and the metaphors were beautiful. I found myself highlighting at least one line or paragraph every couple of pages that either resonated deeply with me or was just plain beautiful.
“You want to speak into a loudspeaker and remind everyone that just because happiness is key does not mean there is a treasure chest that has to be unlocked.”
“It is the ultimate itch that you cannot scratch; it is the scarab beetle that resides within the nape of your neck that gnaws at the edge of your brain—self-love.”
It did take a bit of adjusting for me to get used to the second person and get into the story, but overall it was a quick, impactful read. I did find it hard to relate to the main character and the plot dragged at time because of this, but that didn’t bother me too much as the writing made up for it. I was a little disappointed by the ending as I thought it wrapped up too quickly, but I don’t think that detracted significantly from the book.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, thought provoking read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an eARC of this book. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change with publication.
What first intrigued me about this book was the cover, but after reading the description I was even more interested. How to Disappear is the unique and beautifully written story of “you.” Told in the second person, this books follows as “you” try to disappear from society and the past. In many ways, this book is about self love, acceptance, and belonging. There are many thought provoking themes present and a couple of darker moments, displaying frank and practically written violence, and some depictions of self harm.
My favorite part about this book was the quotes. I thought the style and flow of writing and the metaphors were beautiful. I found myself highlighting at least one line or paragraph every couple of pages that either resonated deeply with me or was just plain beautiful.
“You want to speak into a loudspeaker and remind everyone that just because happiness is key does not mean there is a treasure chest that has to be unlocked.”
“It is the ultimate itch that you cannot scratch; it is the scarab beetle that resides within the nape of your neck that gnaws at the edge of your brain—self-love.”
It did take a bit of adjusting for me to get used to the second person and get into the story, but overall it was a quick, impactful read. I did find it hard to relate to the main character and the plot dragged at time because of this, but that didn’t bother me too much as the writing made up for it. I was a little disappointed by the ending as I thought it wrapped up too quickly, but I don’t think that detracted significantly from the book.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, thought provoking read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an eARC of this book. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change with publication.