Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Dying to Know You

3.6 of 5 stars 3.60 · rating details · 524 ratings · 161 reviews

Karl, aged seventeen, is hopelessly in love. But the object of his affections, Firella, demands proof, and poses him a series of questions regarding his attitude to the many sides of love. But Karl is dyslexic, and convinced that if Firella finds out, she will think he is stupid, and unworthy of her, and leave him.

So Karl asks a local writer to help him construct his repli...more

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published April 1st 2012 by Amulet Books

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

2012 YA Contemporary Challenge!

119th out of 254 books — 1,000 voters

Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell

Stand Alone Must Reads of 2012

10th out of 78 books — 97 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 2,143)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jan 25, 2012 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, ya-liked, 200-pages-or-less-diversion

* edited for typos

Free eBook preview courtesy of Net Galley. Thank you!

I knew the name Aidan Chambers from the time I've spent over the last few months reading all the Mock Printz books for the workshop my library put on. It was an enjoyable few months of reading and feel like the time was well worth it. Aidan Chambers won the Printz award a few years ago, so I thought I'd give his newest book a go.

It's hard to know what you are getting into with an eBook. I can't judge a book by it's cover, fo...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 31, 2013 Annette rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm not sure how to categorize Dying to Know You. It's a contemporary, but after that....? I guess the best assignation is "coming of age" because the characters do grow quite a bit, and that's the main outcome of Dying to Know You.

The narrator is an elderly author who is never named. His doorbell rings one day and a young man, Karl, asks him for help. Karl's girlfriend, Fiorella, has asked him to write the answers to 50 questions, so she can get to know him better. What she doesn't know is that...more

like · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Lynne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, novel, young-adult, realistic-fiction

I started and finished this book in one day - something that I rarely do because I read slowly. WOW! It isn't like anything else I've read. This is the story of Karl Williamson and “The Author,” a 75-year-old writer Karl approaches to help him pen some letters ala Cyrano de Bergerac. Seeing something of himself and his own experiences in the boy, the author and Jake set out on a voyage of discovery about life, love, and purpose.

I loved Postcards from No Man's Land, the Printz Award winning earl...more

like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 Nick rated it 5 of 5 stars

Why did I read it?

So I'm supposed to read an award winning book for my Young Adult Lit class. Easy enough, right? Unless you're me. lol. I was shelving some books, and one said "Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award." Thought, cool, award winner, check! Only after getting half way through did I realize it was referring to the author, Aidan Chambers, not that particular book, Dying to Know You.

What happened?

Young man, Karl, walks into an aging author's office and asks for his help. Karl has a gir...more Why did I read it?

So I'm supposed to read an award winning book for my Young Adult Lit class. Easy enough, right? Unless you're me. lol. I was shelving some books, and one said "Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award." Thought, cool, award winner, check! Only after getting half way through did I realize it was referring to the author, Aidan Chambers, not that particular book, Dying to Know You.

What happened?

Young man, Karl, walks into an aging author's office and asks for his help. Karl has a girlfriend, named Fiorella, who wants him to write about himself. Problem is, Karl has dyslexia, and writing about himself is pretty much hopeless. So, to please his girlfriend, who he really, really likes, Karl asks her favorite author to help him write to her.

That is at least how the book starts. Karl and the author soon find that they have a lot in common, look at the world in a similar way, and can help each other in ways they don't know quite yet.

What did I like or not like?

I really, really liked this book! It wasn't what I was expecting at all, and it was pleasantly awesome. While the book is written from the perspective of the author (the author in the story, not the perspective of Aidan Chambers, but it might be some of that as well), we never find out the author's name because the book is really about Karl. The author slowly learns more about himself and Karl throughout the book, and the discoveries are hopeful, encouraging, and very truthful.

In addition to a great storyline, the setting is also interesting. The story could take place anywhere, but it happens to take place in England. But, the author doesn't come out and say that. You just get hints and tips in some vocabulary they use and places they reference. It was surprising and cool.

This book is also chock full of little bits and pieces of very wise sounding things. The author in the story has lived a pretty long life, and it shows in the wisdom he has. I enjoyed a couple of the quotes so much, I'm probably going to share them on my Facebook profile.

P.S. There is some sporadic cussing throughout the novel, and some sexual content and discussions. (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 10, 2012 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction

There is a tone in this novel...one of acceptance, tolerance, love...something just beyond my fingertips, something that kept me turning the pages. Certainly one of the reasons was the relationship between the characters - Karl, a dyslexic young man that is searching for his voice, and the narrator, an elderly novelist whose wife has died recently and he too is searching for his voice. The secondary characters are skillfully drawn as well, but the story hinges on the relationship of these two me...more

like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating riff on "Cyrano", well written and with some emotional depth. The narrator is a 75-year-old man. To his surprise, he finds himself in a conversation with a dyslexic 18-year-old, Karl, who wants to impress his girlfriend, Fiorella. To my surprise,the author agrees to help Karl compose emails in answer to Fiorella's questions. Thus begins a journey that will have both the old man and the young one confronting losses and grief, and learning about each other and themselves. As part of...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 09, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

When Karl's girlfriend wants him to tell her how he feels, he can't find the words. Desperate to please the girl he can't believe likes him, he finds her favorite author and begs him for help. What happens next is the development of a friendship between an awkward teen and a lonely elderly author.

I've read a lot of YA literature, but I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this one. The development is slow but meaningful. As the author helps Karl by writing letters for him, he finds some...more

like · see review

Jun 09, 2012 Majibookshelf Juhina & Farah rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was a bit hesitant in starting Dying to know you, for once, it was narrated by an older man (in his 60s, based on some descriptions), and that is a first for young adult novels! Basically Karl, an 18 year old boy, asks for help from this older man, to help him with his girlfriend. Fiorella, the girlfriend, gave Karl a list of questions and asked him to answer them, a way to get to know Karl better. Karl thought that what better way to do it than getting help from Fiorella's favorite author? Fo...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 11, 2012 Heather Perkinson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-teen-crossover, boys-issues, realistic-fiction, arcs-from-netgalley

Dying to Know You is lyrically written and although it is at times a slow-moving story, there are also many moments taut with psychological suspense. The story is told by an older man, a writer in his sixties, who develops a close friendship with a young boy (older teens/early 20s) who is struggling to maintain a relationship with a girl who insists that he communicate more of his inner feelings to her. The boy and the writer strike a Cyrano-type bargain, in which the writer agrees to write emai...more

like · see review

Mar 04, 2012 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

See My Full Review Here: http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy....

First Impressions: Contemporary books are becoming my new favorite thing at the moment, so I was very happy to sit down and start reading this book. It helps that I really admire the author of Dying to Know You and I have read other books written by him in the past. He is a great writer who always comes up with the most interesting of stories.

First 50 Pages: Dying to Know You is extremely unique for a young adult novel for one part...more See My Full Review Here: http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy....

First Impressions: Contemporary books are becoming my new favorite thing at the moment, so I was very happy to sit down and start reading this book. It helps that I really admire the author of Dying to Know You and I have read other books written by him in the past. He is a great writer who always comes up with the most interesting of stories.

First 50 Pages: Dying to Know You is extremely unique for a young adult novel for one particular reason, the narrator. Usually teenage characters are the narrators in books meant for young adults, but in Dying to Know You, the story is told from the perspective of an unnamed old man who is a writer that Karl goes to in order to receive help with writing a love letter to his girlfriend, Fiorella. I’ve never come across anything quite like this before while reading a book meant for young adults. Personally, I really enjoyed the voice of the old man right from the beginning of the book. However, I can see where some younger readers might feel disconnected from the story and its characters simply because of the narrators’ age. As I continued to read the book, I found the writing style to be quite poetic almost and intriguing. I wasn’t at all disappointed with the pace even though it did start out on the slower side. For some reason, Dying to Know You reminds me of several Nicolas Sparks novels and I can’t quite pin-point why other than the writing style seemed similar.

Characters & Plot: The main plot followed a boy named Karl who decides he really wants to hang on to his girlfriend, Fiorella, who had asked him to write her a letter telling her all about who he really is deep inside. Karl basically has no idea what to do, and he isn’t very good with words or writing, so he tracks down Fiorella’s favorite author to help him write the letter. The writer, who is the unnamed old man, very reluctantly agrees to help Karl on the condition that Karl endures a series of interviews with him so that the letter feels authentic. It is a story that deals with some very tough and touchy subjects, such as depression and dyslexia, as well as the loss of a loved one. The theme of friendship also seeps out of the pages quite frequently.

I really loved the narrator, like I stated before. He listened to Karl without being judgmental or obtrusive. He was also extremely thoughtful, wise, and funny. He had a lot of worldly knowledge to share with Karl, and quite open about sometimes more taboo subjects. I liked to see how the narrator and Karl’s relationship progressed throughout the story and the bond these two men created despite the difference in age. The writer helps Karl realize his full potential and helps him gain the self-confidence he so desperately needed. Being able to express yourself is yet another theme that runs deeply throughout the novel.

Final Thoughts: While I really enjoyed Dying to Know You, I am interested to see how younger readers are going to take to it. I really hope they will appreciate the fact that the narrator is older than the norm and realize that, despite the age difference, the two main characters needed each other and held common ground. This was a heart-warming story I am sure will be enjoyed by many people, young and old. (less)

like · see review

Feb 05, 2012 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bullies, depression, death, writing

Improbably, Karl Williamson, a plumber's assistant who struggles with reading and writing, seeks help from his girlfriend Fiorella's favorite novelist. The relationship between Karl and Fiorella is in its early stages, and Fiorella wants to know his innermost thoughts about a wide variety of topics, including love. Karl, in turn, longs to impress her with his ability to express himself. For reasons of his own, the narrator agrees, drawn to Karl's plight and identifying with his dyslexia. Then, t...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 19, 2012 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-of-age, death-and-dying, family, relationships, romance-star-crossed-or-otherwise, young-adult-literature

“’OK. Let me sum up and you can tell me if I’ve got it right. You’ve met a girl you admire and would like to keep her as your girlfriend. She fancies you and she wants to know about your private life, your intimate self, because she believes that real friends – let’s say, lovers – tell each other about their secret selves. And she insists on you writing this. But you don’t even like talking about yourself, and writing would be torture because of your dyslexia. So you’ve come to me, who you know...more “’OK. Let me sum up and you can tell me if I’ve got it right. You’ve met a girl you admire and would like to keep her as your girlfriend. She fancies you and she wants to know about your private life, your intimate self, because she believes that real friends – let’s say, lovers – tell each other about their secret selves. And she insists on you writing this. But you don’t even like talking about yourself, and writing would be torture because of your dyslexia. So you’ve come to me, who you know nothing about except that I write books Fiorella likes. And you want me to help you by writing for you what she wants you to write for her in proper English. Is that it?’

‘That’s about it, yes.’

‘Good. Which leaves us with a couple of questions. One: Why should I help you? And two: If I help you, what is it you want me to write, exactly?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘You don’t know what?’

‘The answer to both questions.’

I laughed.

‘You must be desperate.’

Karl laughed too. ‘I am!’"

The above excerpt pretty much sums up the first half or so of this book. An unnamed author - mildly famous with a small, devoted following – is approached by an eighteen year-old (Karl) who asks him if he would do a Cyrano de Bergerac for him, in his attempt to progress in his relationship with Fiorella. The author agrees to help him, and as they work together to answer Fiorella’s questions about Karl, the author and Karl get to know one another much better. Karl reveals himself to be deeply introspective, moody and self-critical, scarred by his father’s death when he was younger. The author, meanwhile, realizes that Karl reminds him much of himself when he was younger (his own wife died some years before), and he hopes that his age and life experience can assist Karl not just with Fiorella, but with figuring out his life in general. When things between Karl and Fiorella take a turn for the worse, and when Fiorella discovers the author’s involvement in the relationship, the friendship between Karl and the author is tested, and eventually strengthened, more than ever before.

This is a strong, well-written story of friendship across generations (the author is in his 70s), as well as personal healing and growth. I’ve enjoyed other works by Aidan Chambers, and this one exhibits the same quiet, carefully worded craft that readers have come to expect of his writing. That said, there several issues that bothered me with the novel. It’s written from the first-person POV of the author, about whom we know gradually more as the novel moves forward, but the perspective of an older narrator makes it more difficult to relate to the main teen character in the novel. And while the novel is paced well, it’s a very slow pace; there’s very little action, and readers need to handle frequent mentions of relatively mundane actions, not to mention the author’s prostate issues. And finally, I could not stand the Fiorella character, and couldn’t see what Karl could have possibly been attracted to in her as a person. If the entire plot of the novel hinges on Karl’s relationship with this fantastic girl, it fell a little short for me. Still, it’s very well-written, and the way Chambers develops the two main characters gradually, through small moments and few words, makes for a rewarding read.
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 12, 2012 Suzanne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

I just started Dying to Know You. I love this quote, "I sometimes wonder whether most people choose their hobbies because they lust after the gear more than for the benefits of the activities themselves." I have always thought this in conjunction with lawn and patio/porch furniture decor. I drive by homes that are well-cared for and there are wonderful porch swings, great bistro tables and chairs, cushions begging to sat on and wonderful plants, but why do I not see anyone relaxing long enough t...more I just started Dying to Know You. I love this quote, "I sometimes wonder whether most people choose their hobbies because they lust after the gear more than for the benefits of the activities themselves." I have always thought this in conjunction with lawn and patio/porch furniture decor. I drive by homes that are well-cared for and there are wonderful porch swings, great bistro tables and chairs, cushions begging to sat on and wonderful plants, but why do I not see anyone relaxing long enough to enjoy the fruits of their labor? I think it is just as the writer in the story says; they are in love with the gear of relaxation, but refuse to actually let themselves love relaxing.

This is not one of those books that is just full of quotes I like and little else in the way of story. When a nineteen-year-old man shows up at an author's door (the narrator is the author),the seventy-five-year-old author's life is about to change. He has just lost his wife and is lonely and lost. I could not find where the author's name was ever mentioned. (strange) Karl (the young man) is there because he is in a relationship with at girl who wants him to write his thoughts and feeligs, and being dyslexic, he struggles with written language. He asks the author if he would write the letters/emails with his (Karl's ideas). Reluctantly, the author does, as much for himself (to give him something to do, and he is intriguied). What ensues is an in-depth look at an unlikely friendship: the give and take friendship between and old man and a young man who have much in common. The girl Fiorella is a part of the story by only as a way to see the other characters better.

This story takes place in England-- language and locations are the telling factor. And sometimes British writers are just too different for me, but this did not affect my feelings about the book. I will not easily let go of its characters and will think of them from time to time and wonder what became of them, especially since I just also finished Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer's fairytale about how a character who "plays parts in a book" wants out to live his life. If makes me wonder about the charactes between the lines in this book, Dying to Know You. Does Karl sculpt again? Does he marry Becky? What about the sparks that seemed to be igniting between the author and Karl's mother??

(less)

like · see review

Aug 13, 2012 Christian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

I was first introduced to Chambers by my thesis advisor (though I don't believe he was yet my advisor at the time), and I'm so glad I was. Chambers writes with such a lyrical style. His words flow without feeling like he's forcing them to say what he wants to say.

This novel is no different in beauty than that first one I read. The introduction and development of the characters and their challenges is so natural and seemingly effortless. I particularly enjoyed the elderly narrator in this novel a...more

like · see review

Mar 17, 2012 Farrah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dying to Know You follows the story of Karl as he struggles to find himself. It's told through the perspective of a famous author in his late sixties or seventies. Karl enlists the author's help to write a letter to his girlfriend, but things don't turn out the way he planned.

Dying to Know You was magnificent. Quite honestly, it was not what I expected it would be. The coming of age story was emotional and beautiful. The writing was smooth and rhythmic. The characters each had a mind of their ow...more Dying to Know You follows the story of Karl as he struggles to find himself. It's told through the perspective of a famous author in his late sixties or seventies. Karl enlists the author's help to write a letter to his girlfriend, but things don't turn out the way he planned.

Dying to Know You was magnificent. Quite honestly, it was not what I expected it would be. The coming of age story was emotional and beautiful. The writing was smooth and rhythmic. The characters each had a mind of their own and the story grabs you in.

The fact that this was written from the writer's perspective was interesting. It gave it a more objective quality as he observed Karl's struggles. Though the writer grows to care for Karl, his views gave greater insight into the story.

Karl is the definition of a troubled character. Ever since his father died when he was twelve, he has struggled to find himself. He is withdrawn and prefers people to read him to figure him out rather than spelling himself out for everyone. The direction his life took was unexpected and I really enjoyed seeing him grow into his own person

There were a couple of things that I didn't like about this book. For one, the story moved at a slow pace. While I realize this was deliberate and it gave greater meaning to each event, there were a couple of times that I skimmed because I got bored. It wasn't too bad, but I would have liked to have avoided those less than interesting parts.

One more minor problem was the dialogue. The author left out most of the "I said's" and "he/she said's". While it gave a flow to the writing, I got confused as to who was talking a few times.

The most frustrating part, however, was Fiorella. I didn't like her at all. She was mean and nasty and horrible to Karl. She was manipulative and....Ugh, she was just awful. I didn't like her and I didn't like when she was so much as mentioned. Seriously, Karl deserved to much better than her. She was so mean and he was a sweetie. She so didn't deserve him.

Overall, Dying to Know You was a brilliant coming of age story. If you like stories of overcoming challenges and growing as a person, than you will love this book.

4/5

I obtained a copy of this from Netgalley(less)

like · see review

Mar 09, 2012 Isamlq rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley

The story is a simple one. It’s of one asking the help of another. And it’s the other finding inspiration again. But it’s also both of them finding a connection where none was expected. Yet as simple as those three things sound, things did get more and more dense with progression. The dialogue played a part in that. There’s much too much talking and describing and little happening. But I suspect those four and five star reviews on this one loved that aspect of it, it just wasn’t for me. A big co...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Julie Graves rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

Karl is dyslexic so he hates to write. He also doesn't know how to express himself very well. When Karl's girlfriend Fiorella asks him to answer some questions she has by writing out his answers Karl turns to Fiorella's favorite author for help.

Not only is this author helping Karl with searching out his inner most feelings, but Karl is helping the author by once again giving him a reason and will to write after his wife's death.

Karl and the author develop a friendship that manages to withstand m...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 06, 2012 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: favorites, great-reads

I got this book: I got an ARC copy from the publisher in exchange for this review.

My Rating: 5/5 stars

Expected Publication Date: April 1st 2012

Summary: In Dying to Know You, award-winning author Aidan Chambers has created an indelible portrait of a young man discovering his own voice in the world, and has constructed a love story that is as much about the mind as it is the heart.

In this contemporary love story, a teenage boy named Karl enlists a famous writer to help him impress his girlfriend,...more

like · see review

Sep 28, 2012 Marsha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: advance-reading-copy-advance-uncorr, literature-fiction, romance

A young man brashly forces his way into the life of a reclusive old man. But the pathways in this book aren’t so straightforward. The point of view is mainly that of the old gentleman, a writer who hasn’t written since his wife died. The book is fiction but it has the unpredictable nature of non-fiction writing, where the characters don’t necessarily behave as you would expect.

The character of Karl Williamson is the one that seems the hardest nut to crack. His initial boldness swiftly crumbles,...more

like · see review

Jun 04, 2012 Alyssa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I think that this book was really, really good. It's different and quirky, told from the perspective of an old author.

I love the ending, it brings you right back to the beginning ;)

This is a love story, of sorts, but more of a finding yourself story. But, it carries the weight of being told by a guy. Which is really different. Usually, these kinds of books are about girls escaping mean girls, old boyfriends and becoming one with "the outsiders"...lol that was kind of mean, but true, at least I...more

like · see review

Apr 02, 2012 Aeicha rated it 4 of 5 stars

THREE WORDS: Quietly Beautiful & Breathtaking

MY REVIEW: Aidan Chambers’ Dying To Know You turned out to be quite an unexpected and wonderfully unusual Contemporary YA read.

Shy, endearing Karl’s girlfriend Fiorella has asked him to bare his soul and feelings in the form of letters to her, in which he answers a set of questions she has asked. Karl doesn’t feel as if he can do this in a way that will impress Fiorella, so he seeks the help of Fiorella’s favorite author. And in a very Cyrano de B...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 18, 2012 Katie Tuccelli rated it 3 of 5 stars

I will confess: I'm not really sure how to be concise with my observations of Dying to Know You. It is just one of "those kinds" of books.

Geared towards Young Adults, but narrated by an unnamed man in his seventies, Dying to Know you is certainly an interesting read to say the least. Much of the book is dialogue-driven, and this is especially so with the first few pages. It was actually a bit refreshing, because I find that it's so easy to fall into a rut -as a writer and a reader- and it's alwa...more I will confess: I'm not really sure how to be concise with my observations of Dying to Know You. It is just one of "those kinds" of books.

Geared towards Young Adults, but narrated by an unnamed man in his seventies, Dying to Know you is certainly an interesting read to say the least. Much of the book is dialogue-driven, and this is especially so with the first few pages. It was actually a bit refreshing, because I find that it's so easy to fall into a rut -as a writer and a reader- and it's always good to step out of your comfort zone when doing both. However, I'd rather be shown a story and not told a story, and I feel the story suffered because of its differences in format and narration.

From the start, I did find myself a bit disconnected from the story as a whole due to the age of the narrator. I wish I could have heard more from Karl's perspective, maybe in a split-narrative, because he had so much going on. I think the lack of a young voice in this book will deter some younger readers. What I did like about the narrator was how he related with Karl and how he shared his life experiences without judgment or appearing to be condescending. Every teenager and young adult needs someone like that in their lives.

The relatively touchy subjects of dyslexia, the loss of a loved one, and depression are approached with the delicacy and respect they deserve. Though they are very different, because the narrator and Karl have suffered similar life-changing events, they are also very much the same. The author finds healing of his own while helping Karl deal with his feelings towards Fiorella, his perception of himself and his abilities, and the loss of a loved one. It was this aspect of the book, the relationship that develops between the two main characters, that I liked best.

I think my biggest disappointment was my inability to connect with any of the characters. I certainly emphathized and sympathized with them at times, but I did not feel invested in them. Fiorella, Karl's girlfriend, was a bit pretentious, though I suppose many of us are at sixteen and seventeen. There was one character I really liked -Becky- but I didn't meet her until the last 20 or so pages, and by then, the book was basically over. I was a bit underwhelmed.

Both the art of writing and the art of sculpture are a big part of this book, and I love the way these subjects approached. I am a big advocate of healthy self-expression, and was happy to see that encouraged throughout the story.

While I was not blown away by this book, I do think that it had many good attributes. Dying to Know You can be described as an enlightening read, with an emphasis on the necessity of friendship, the passion behind art and self-expression, and the power of love. I have certainly come away with a greater appreciation for these aspects of life, and hope you will, too.

For more book reviews, please visit BlookGirl!(less)

like · see review

Jan 14, 2012 Bundles of rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, review-copies, own, sent-to-me

Dying To Know You is a very thoughtful book. The writing in this novel is so beautifully written, it is like poetry. This book is also an emotionally filled one. At times, it makes you want to be right along side of them, laughing to one of their timeless jokes. At other times, you were happy that you weren't inside the story, crying with them about Karl's devastating story.

The story is written around a boy named Karl, who is a quiet assistant of a plumber. Karl's girlfriend, Fiorella, is a wr...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 04, 2012 Abria Mattina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-2012, arc

Originally reviewed here.

Dying to Know You is a novel about finding oneself and what makes people tick. At the beginning of the book, Karl approaches his girlfriend’s favourite author for help with a task that Fiorella has asked him to complete. Realizing that Karl is a very private person and wanting to know him better, Fiorella asks that he write out answers to a series of very personal and thought-provoking questions. The problem, of which Fiorella is unaware, is that Karl has a learning dis...more

like · see review

Mar 15, 2012 Marija rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, ya-mg, arc

When I first saw the title of this story and compared it to the book’s synopsis, I wondered what the significance of the title could be. Initially thinking it a modern day retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, the title could be viewed from a potential loved one’s perspective...think of that final scene between Roxane and Cyrano. However when you finish the book and really look at its cover, you can see that the title becomes self-reflective. Whoever paired the title with the cover art was rather cle...more

like · see review

Mar 27, 2012 ephrielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

The cover and blurb didn't really sell me on this book. I read it a bit out of obligation. I am very glad I did. Looking back, I feel the cover and title aptly reflect the subject matter.

It isn't easy to put into words what I feel about this book. Perhaps, I am much like the characters in this regard. I have provided a list with minimal commentary:

- Karl and "the writer"

They are very easy to relate to and understand.

- The relationship between Karl and "the writer:

The dynamic of the relationship...more

like · see review

Mar 08, 2012 Claire rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 8th-grade-and-up, adults-reading-ya-lit, bullying, fall-2012, first-person-narrator-all-ages, grief, high-school-and-beyond, guys-read

I read this in a gulp and can't wait to share the book.
Karl is an attractive, capable, introverted young man who suffers secret dyslexia who catches the eye of the lovely Fiorella. As their relationship deepens Fiorella issues the ultimatum, 'if you want to see me, write to me about your deep beliefs.' Karl panics and asks her favorite author for help. Sensing some simpatico with Karl the narrator agrees to interview Karl, read Karl's attempts at answers and fix syntax and spelling in Karl's re...more

like · see review

Mar 06, 2012 Erin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, read-in-2012

[A copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]

A simple, yet dense story.

A contemporary retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, Karl – a secretly dyslexic plumbing assistant – goes into panic mode when his girlfriend Fiorella asks him to write to her, in the form of letter answers to fifty or so questions about himself and how he feels about life, love and her. Karl hunts down Fiorella’s favourite author – our nameless, 70-something narrator – and asks him to writ...more

like · see review

Apr 26, 2012 Carly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Dying To Know You has a beautifully simplistic storyline that will entrance the reader from start to finish. It is expertly written and reads like a dream, Dying To Know You is one of them stories that will stick with the reader for a long time to come. Truly brilliant and unforgettable.

Karl is seventeen, he is in love with a sixteen year old girl called Fiorella. Fiorella has a passion for reading and writing so she asks introverted Karl to write down the answers to some of her questions. Thin...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 27, 2012 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books, uk-author

This book is like nothing else I have ever read.

The relationship between Karl and the old man author is interesting. It's not one I've seen similair of in any YA novel and it made for something a bit unique and different. Likewise being narrated by this older gentleman gives it a different twist as you see the story from his perspective. I don't think I know of any other YA novel that does this.

It is a really fast read. I sat down just to read a chapter or two then suddenly found I was over half...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 71 72 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (6)

More editions...

Genres

Young Adult

52 users

Realistic Fiction

21 users

Contemporary

17 users

Romance

12 users

Young Adult > Teen

7 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Contemporary

4 users

Relationships

3 users

Family

3 users

Adult

3 users

Young Adult > Coming Of Age

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Aidan Chambers

Born near Chester-le-Street, County Durham in 1934, Chambers was an only child, and a poor scholar; considered "slow" by his teachers, he did not learn to read fluently until the age of nine. After two years in the Royal Navy as part of his National Service, Chambers trained as a teacher and taught for three years at Westcliff High School in Southend on Sea before joining an Anglican monastery in...more

More about Aidan Chambers...

Books by Aidan Chambers

This is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Dying to Know You

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Dying to Know You

“Sometimes the course of our lives depends on what we do or don't do in a few seconds, a heartbeat, when we either seize the opportunity, or just miss it. Miss the moment and you never get a chance again.” — 23 people liked it

“However much you love somebody, you should always keep a part of yourself to yourself. Never give it all. You can never be yourself otherwise.” — 9 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Dying to Know You
avg rating	preview: Dying to Know You Goodreads rating: 3.60 (524 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12750296-dying-to-know-you?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337476202l/12750296.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12750296-dying-to-know-you?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers[/url]

Dying to Know You

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website