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Anything That Isn't This
Seventeen-year-old Frank Palp lives in a grim little apartment, in a grim little building, in an exceedingly grim (and rather large) city. Cobbled streets and near-destroyed bridges lead one through Old Town and Old New Town, and war-damaged houses stand alongside post-war characterless, concrete hutches. Most people walk hunched over, a habit from avoiding snipers, but others are proud to stand tall and make the world take notice . . . This is a city full of contradictions, and Frank is no exception.
He mostly hates his life, he definitely hates the ludicrous city he is forced to live in and he absolutely with complete certainty hates the idiots he's surrounded by . . . and yet he is in love. A love so pure and sparkling and colourful, Frank feels sure it is 'meant to be'. His love is a reward for all the terrible grey that he is surrounded by - which would be great, if the girl in question knew he existed. And then one day, the perfect sign lands in his lap. A message, in a bottle. A wish, for 'anything that isn't this'. The girl who wrote this is surely his soulmate - and now he just needs to find her.
He mostly hates his life, he definitely hates the ludicrous city he is forced to live in and he absolutely with complete certainty hates the idiots he's surrounded by . . . and yet he is in love. A love so pure and sparkling and colourful, Frank feels sure it is 'meant to be'. His love is a reward for all the terrible grey that he is surrounded by - which would be great, if the girl in question knew he existed. And then one day, the perfect sign lands in his lap. A message, in a bottle. A wish, for 'anything that isn't this'. The girl who wrote this is surely his soulmate - and now he just needs to find her.
480 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2015
20 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Chris Priestley
57 books388 followersHis father was in the army and so he moved around a lot as a child and lived in Wales. He was an avid reader of American comics as a child, and when he was eight or nine, and living in Gibraltar, he won a prize in a newspaper story-writing competition. He decided then “that my ambition was to write and illustrate my own book”.
He spent his teens in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, before moving to Manchester, London and then Norfolk. He now lives in Cambridge with his wife and son where he writes, draws, paints, dreams and doodles (not necessarily in that order). Chris worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for twenty years, working mainly for magazines & newspapers (these include The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Economist and the Wall Street Journal) before becoming a writer. He currently has a weekly strip cartoon called 'Payne's Grey' in the New Statesman.
Chris has been a published author since 2000. He has written several books for children & young-adults, both fiction and non-fiction, and
has been nominated for many awards including the Edgar Awards, the UKLA Children's Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. In recent years he has predominantly been writing horror.
Ever since he was a teenager Chris has loved unsettling and creepy stories, with fond memories of buying comics like 'Strange Tales' and 'House of Mystery', watching classic BBC TV adaptations of M R James ghost stories every Christmas and reading assorted weirdness by everyone from Edgar Allen Poe to Ray Bradbury. He hopes Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror will haunt his readers in the way those writers have haunted him.
He spent his teens in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, before moving to Manchester, London and then Norfolk. He now lives in Cambridge with his wife and son where he writes, draws, paints, dreams and doodles (not necessarily in that order). Chris worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for twenty years, working mainly for magazines & newspapers (these include The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Economist and the Wall Street Journal) before becoming a writer. He currently has a weekly strip cartoon called 'Payne's Grey' in the New Statesman.
Chris has been a published author since 2000. He has written several books for children & young-adults, both fiction and non-fiction, and
has been nominated for many awards including the Edgar Awards, the UKLA Children's Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. In recent years he has predominantly been writing horror.
Ever since he was a teenager Chris has loved unsettling and creepy stories, with fond memories of buying comics like 'Strange Tales' and 'House of Mystery', watching classic BBC TV adaptations of M R James ghost stories every Christmas and reading assorted weirdness by everyone from Edgar Allen Poe to Ray Bradbury. He hopes Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror will haunt his readers in the way those writers have haunted him.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 24, 2015
Too depressing and dreary for me. Lots of moaning and groaning and purple prose. I liked the illustrations but that was it.
November 21, 2015
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Bonnier Publishing and NetGalley*
Frank Palp lives in a post-war city where everything has muted colours and nearly everyone works for the Ministry.
The only good thing in Frank's life is Olivia but she is part of the popular crowd and Frank isn't.
What will Frank do when he finishes school?
Will fate throw Olivia and Frank together?
Anything That Isn't This was an okay but slow read.
Frank was an alright protagonist but I didn't connect with him. None of the other characters stood out except Frank's sister, Petra, who I felt sorry for.
The plot was slow paced and predictable and not much seemed to happen.
The Grey - something that apparently only Frank can see - is never explained but it could be that it's meant as a metaphor.
There isn't much information given about the war/revolution and I would have liked to find out more.
The writing style didn't hold my interest and I found myself skim reading several times.
Overall this was an okay read.
Frank Palp lives in a post-war city where everything has muted colours and nearly everyone works for the Ministry.
The only good thing in Frank's life is Olivia but she is part of the popular crowd and Frank isn't.
What will Frank do when he finishes school?
Will fate throw Olivia and Frank together?
Anything That Isn't This was an okay but slow read.
Frank was an alright protagonist but I didn't connect with him. None of the other characters stood out except Frank's sister, Petra, who I felt sorry for.
The plot was slow paced and predictable and not much seemed to happen.
The Grey - something that apparently only Frank can see - is never explained but it could be that it's meant as a metaphor.
There isn't much information given about the war/revolution and I would have liked to find out more.
The writing style didn't hold my interest and I found myself skim reading several times.
Overall this was an okay read.
November 9, 2015
Seventeen year old Frank lives...no exists, in a world where all books are worthy tomes commissioned by the Ministry - those that were published pre Ministry have the last pages ripped out. Everything is suffused by the Grey, there is no joy, no laughter, only existence. The story is a slim build and took me a while to get into. It's bleak yes but we are offered some hope by the end. Frank is a typical narcissistic teenager , uncaring about most of his family, but they all have their own stories that he does learn - when he bothers to listen. The book has shades of Orwell's 1984 and the language is sparse yet eloquent.
June 12, 2023
Euw VARFÖR läste jag detta
December 6, 2015
This review first appeared in Magpies Magazine, November 2015.
In years to come, Anything That Isn’t This will be used as a companion text when studying George Orwell’s 1984. Similar in tone and ambience, the world of Frank Palp is oppressive and grey. So grey, in fact, that the Grey is discussed as a phenomenon in its own right.
It seeped into you. It became part of you – or, more importantly, you became part of it. Because that’s what the Grey was, really” the sum off all greyness, of all mediocrity and dullness…The Grey took away difrerence and replaced it with sameness. It sucked life out of life itself. (p.16)
Frank feels different to everyone else, but lacks the confidence to BE different. He hates the Ministry his father works for, but when the time comes to find work after being denied a University place, Frank goes to work there too. His job is checking the directory of citizens, making sure all the information is correct. When Frank finishes his pile of directories, he asks for more work and is told to keep going because “a job is never finished”. He longs to break free of this meaningless treadmill, but lacks the tools to do so.
When Frank passes by the bridge where young people put wishes in beer bottles and throw them over the edge, he spots a bottle he thinks belongs to Olivia, a girl he has desired from afar for a long time. Inside the bottle are four words, in coloured letters, “anything that isn’t this”. This note gives Frank the confidence to speak to her and a doomed relationship begins.
Each household in Frank’s city is assigned a Student. Students are employed by the Ministry to observe the families they live with – continuously scribbling notes day and night. The Student in Frank’s house shares his bedroom, so little by little they develop a relationship of sorts. This friendship becomes a pivotal part of the novel.
Frank has a chance meeting with Mr Vertex, who has some creepy similarities to Big Brother in 1984. Frank eventually goes to work for Vertex, which is where his life starts to change. Frank finds himself reading the notebooks filled by the Students of the Ministry. This position of power gives Frank a sense of control over his life and the lives of others that he has never felt before. Then Frank reads some compromising material about his friend, Scape. He hides the notebooks instead of reporting something unusual in them because his sense of right and wrong tells him not to expose Scape. It is a kindness that may kill them both.
When Scape, is taken away by Vertex, Frank goes to the place where he hid the notebooks and they are gone. Frank knows he is in trouble, the kind of trouble that he may not survive. The Ministry must maintain order, and Mr Vertex is determined to do so, no matter what it takes or who he has to hurt in the process.
This novel is dark, brooding and oppressive. Chris Priestly captures really well the hopelessness of living in tyranny. Frank’s grandfather, who is dead, but still speaks to Frank, sums it up perfectly: “When you have no hope, you convince yourself that hope is a myth” (p.67). This is at the crux of the novel – if you can convince yourself hope is real, then there is hope. Frank has to find hope. Without spoiling the rest of the story, I can safely say that the conclusion is a satisfying, if ambiguous, one - and worth the long journey to get there. It will be tempting to give up on this book in its early stages – don’t. It’s worth the wait.
For ages 15 and up.
In years to come, Anything That Isn’t This will be used as a companion text when studying George Orwell’s 1984. Similar in tone and ambience, the world of Frank Palp is oppressive and grey. So grey, in fact, that the Grey is discussed as a phenomenon in its own right.
It seeped into you. It became part of you – or, more importantly, you became part of it. Because that’s what the Grey was, really” the sum off all greyness, of all mediocrity and dullness…The Grey took away difrerence and replaced it with sameness. It sucked life out of life itself. (p.16)
Frank feels different to everyone else, but lacks the confidence to BE different. He hates the Ministry his father works for, but when the time comes to find work after being denied a University place, Frank goes to work there too. His job is checking the directory of citizens, making sure all the information is correct. When Frank finishes his pile of directories, he asks for more work and is told to keep going because “a job is never finished”. He longs to break free of this meaningless treadmill, but lacks the tools to do so.
When Frank passes by the bridge where young people put wishes in beer bottles and throw them over the edge, he spots a bottle he thinks belongs to Olivia, a girl he has desired from afar for a long time. Inside the bottle are four words, in coloured letters, “anything that isn’t this”. This note gives Frank the confidence to speak to her and a doomed relationship begins.
Each household in Frank’s city is assigned a Student. Students are employed by the Ministry to observe the families they live with – continuously scribbling notes day and night. The Student in Frank’s house shares his bedroom, so little by little they develop a relationship of sorts. This friendship becomes a pivotal part of the novel.
Frank has a chance meeting with Mr Vertex, who has some creepy similarities to Big Brother in 1984. Frank eventually goes to work for Vertex, which is where his life starts to change. Frank finds himself reading the notebooks filled by the Students of the Ministry. This position of power gives Frank a sense of control over his life and the lives of others that he has never felt before. Then Frank reads some compromising material about his friend, Scape. He hides the notebooks instead of reporting something unusual in them because his sense of right and wrong tells him not to expose Scape. It is a kindness that may kill them both.
When Scape, is taken away by Vertex, Frank goes to the place where he hid the notebooks and they are gone. Frank knows he is in trouble, the kind of trouble that he may not survive. The Ministry must maintain order, and Mr Vertex is determined to do so, no matter what it takes or who he has to hurt in the process.
This novel is dark, brooding and oppressive. Chris Priestly captures really well the hopelessness of living in tyranny. Frank’s grandfather, who is dead, but still speaks to Frank, sums it up perfectly: “When you have no hope, you convince yourself that hope is a myth” (p.67). This is at the crux of the novel – if you can convince yourself hope is real, then there is hope. Frank has to find hope. Without spoiling the rest of the story, I can safely say that the conclusion is a satisfying, if ambiguous, one - and worth the long journey to get there. It will be tempting to give up on this book in its early stages – don’t. It’s worth the wait.
For ages 15 and up.
January 17, 2016
Wow, how to describe this incredibly unique, paranoid-fairy tale wondrousness of a book? I absolutely love Chris Priestley’s books, but this was an unexpected shot-in-the-dark to what he’s done before…which is great!
Anything That Isn’t This is about a rather low-mood character called Frank, who is stuck in an eternally dreary, oppressed state surrounded by The Grey. Frank hates his life and everything around it, not wanting to conform yet finding that he does. He struggles with love, making wrong choices and struggles with the fact his angry dad is a war hero.
But really all this feels like a huge metaphor for being trapped in a life you don’t want, and how you carry on because you have to…that is, until you find a door that might let you escape. That’s what I think Chris’ book really is: a huge metaphor for going from an oppressed, less free living to a more colourful one. As Frank tries to be a writer amongst all his problems, I could suggest this has quite a lot to do with Chris’ life…
Either way, whether it’s about Frank or not, it’s a crowning achievement of brilliant, accessible writing with moments of frustration, passion, love, horror, disloyalty and despair. The characters of the benevolently evil Ministry are painted perfectly, and the story rumbles along, twisting and turning just enough to let you feel the ups and downs and frustrations of Frank’s life.
Yes, it does start of pretty depressing, but it’s a very intriguing book watching Frank break off the chains of his innocence, come of age and realise what it is he wants to do with his life. Highly, highly recommend this unique book. Nice one Chris!
Anything That Isn’t This is about a rather low-mood character called Frank, who is stuck in an eternally dreary, oppressed state surrounded by The Grey. Frank hates his life and everything around it, not wanting to conform yet finding that he does. He struggles with love, making wrong choices and struggles with the fact his angry dad is a war hero.
But really all this feels like a huge metaphor for being trapped in a life you don’t want, and how you carry on because you have to…that is, until you find a door that might let you escape. That’s what I think Chris’ book really is: a huge metaphor for going from an oppressed, less free living to a more colourful one. As Frank tries to be a writer amongst all his problems, I could suggest this has quite a lot to do with Chris’ life…
Either way, whether it’s about Frank or not, it’s a crowning achievement of brilliant, accessible writing with moments of frustration, passion, love, horror, disloyalty and despair. The characters of the benevolently evil Ministry are painted perfectly, and the story rumbles along, twisting and turning just enough to let you feel the ups and downs and frustrations of Frank’s life.
Yes, it does start of pretty depressing, but it’s a very intriguing book watching Frank break off the chains of his innocence, come of age and realise what it is he wants to do with his life. Highly, highly recommend this unique book. Nice one Chris!
June 9, 2022
1.5 stars
Ugh, I did not like this book at all. I could probably describe the entire plot in under 5 minutes. Looking back at it, barely anything happened. And I definitely felt that while reading, too. Time went by so slowly, and the entirety of the book was just really boring, to be honest. Most of the characters were so plain, as was the city it took place in. There definitely were some interesting aspects to this story, but in my opinion they weren't written in a way that was pleasant to read, which is very unfortunate. I felt I was not at all motivated to pick up this book and continue reading. Only around page 300 did the pace pick up a bit, which was nice. But even so, it was still pretty slow. And it is definitely not worth the previous 300 pages. I did like the drawings in the book, though.
But lets just say I'd rather read anything that isn't this :))
Ugh, I did not like this book at all. I could probably describe the entire plot in under 5 minutes. Looking back at it, barely anything happened. And I definitely felt that while reading, too. Time went by so slowly, and the entirety of the book was just really boring, to be honest. Most of the characters were so plain, as was the city it took place in. There definitely were some interesting aspects to this story, but in my opinion they weren't written in a way that was pleasant to read, which is very unfortunate. I felt I was not at all motivated to pick up this book and continue reading. Only around page 300 did the pace pick up a bit, which was nice. But even so, it was still pretty slow. And it is definitely not worth the previous 300 pages. I did like the drawings in the book, though.
But lets just say I'd rather read anything that isn't this :))
July 29, 2016
You can tell this is a Chris Priestley mostly because it is so bleak. I definitely want to love it but really not in the mood for it at the moment. Will be coming back to it at some point.
February 16, 2016
I didn't plan to read this at the same time as listening to Orwell's '1984' but, boy, what a great combination!
The similarities were apparent, though the differences too are marked. Priestley's grey world is very much a Party world, but with no Big Brother.
Frank Palp is unsatisfied, directionless and bored of his world, his home, his family, his grey life. About to finish school, he has a crush on a schoolmate and no idea what he wants to do when he leaves, but he knows he's destined for great things.
His world is full of curfews, greyness, rules, and a strange set of workers called Students, who live in residents' houses and take notes. Frank suspects the notes are written about occupants.
Reluctantly taking a job in the Castle with the Ministry, Frank dreams of better things, but like Hamlet, procrastinates, does little, is all talk. His best friend Dawn is clearly frustrated with him, but one day he finds a note full of colour, denoting a kindred spirit nearby...
What an amazing idea and an amazing world. Frank REALLY annoyed me to start with (forever moaning but not doing anything to improve his lot), but I took to his story as it progressed, and just loved the grey world he and Dawn live in. Other minor characters struck home as well, all a part of this controlled world. The society isn't as overtly sinister and threatening as Big Brother's on the surface, with a Big Day of celebration planned for one, but scratch the surface and the bland and dull top layer is covering up something just as twisted and dark as anything Orwell created.
Loved the turns the story took - and this is a young adult's read! A fantastic counterpoint to 1984, would work well being read together with it for GCSE/A-Level students.
There are some fantastical touches - invisible lizards?! - that I'm not sure I quite understood, but I finished and wanted to know more about what happens next to Frank. And the others in his world. Quite a world. More please, Mr Priestley.
The similarities were apparent, though the differences too are marked. Priestley's grey world is very much a Party world, but with no Big Brother.
Frank Palp is unsatisfied, directionless and bored of his world, his home, his family, his grey life. About to finish school, he has a crush on a schoolmate and no idea what he wants to do when he leaves, but he knows he's destined for great things.
His world is full of curfews, greyness, rules, and a strange set of workers called Students, who live in residents' houses and take notes. Frank suspects the notes are written about occupants.
Reluctantly taking a job in the Castle with the Ministry, Frank dreams of better things, but like Hamlet, procrastinates, does little, is all talk. His best friend Dawn is clearly frustrated with him, but one day he finds a note full of colour, denoting a kindred spirit nearby...
What an amazing idea and an amazing world. Frank REALLY annoyed me to start with (forever moaning but not doing anything to improve his lot), but I took to his story as it progressed, and just loved the grey world he and Dawn live in. Other minor characters struck home as well, all a part of this controlled world. The society isn't as overtly sinister and threatening as Big Brother's on the surface, with a Big Day of celebration planned for one, but scratch the surface and the bland and dull top layer is covering up something just as twisted and dark as anything Orwell created.
Loved the turns the story took - and this is a young adult's read! A fantastic counterpoint to 1984, would work well being read together with it for GCSE/A-Level students.
There are some fantastical touches - invisible lizards?! - that I'm not sure I quite understood, but I finished and wanted to know more about what happens next to Frank. And the others in his world. Quite a world. More please, Mr Priestley.
September 28, 2015
I did not like this book. In fact, until the last, oh, I don't know, 5%?, I actively disliked it. It's depressing. I couldn't make sense of the worldbuilding, in that I didn't feel I had a handle on the world at all. The narrative seemed choppy and disjointed and I absolutely hated Frank as a character. He was a pathetic, pretentious hipster who believed himself so special and different to everyone around him and I wanted to slap him.
In fact, most of what I hated about this book (am I saying hated now? Maybe I am) was what I also disliked about Catcher In The Rye, one of my all-time least favourite books. This was like that, except less meaningful. It was depressing in a pretentious manner, an unoriginal exploration of the meaninglessness of a life lived in offices and mediocrity.
I get it, okay? Really, I do. The thought of spending my life as an unimportant cog in the great machine of the world of work terrifies me. But I just... couldn't identify with Frank. Our fears might have something in common but his shallow and creepy obsession with Olivia repulsed me, as did his utter lack of empathy and respect for anyone around him because clearly he was too much of a special snowflake to think he might not be the only one who wanted more.
The one thing that redeemed this book and kept it from being relegated to a one star rating like Catcher In The Rye was that Frank did at least undergo something that, squinting, one could call character development, so that the ending did at least represent a change from the beginning. But nah. If I hadn't committed myself to reviewing the book I'd have put it down at 30% and never got as far as the parts that made it tolerable.
Thanks for the review copy, NetGalley, but it just wasn't my thing. At all.
In fact, most of what I hated about this book (am I saying hated now? Maybe I am) was what I also disliked about Catcher In The Rye, one of my all-time least favourite books. This was like that, except less meaningful. It was depressing in a pretentious manner, an unoriginal exploration of the meaninglessness of a life lived in offices and mediocrity.
I get it, okay? Really, I do. The thought of spending my life as an unimportant cog in the great machine of the world of work terrifies me. But I just... couldn't identify with Frank. Our fears might have something in common but his shallow and creepy obsession with Olivia repulsed me, as did his utter lack of empathy and respect for anyone around him because clearly he was too much of a special snowflake to think he might not be the only one who wanted more.
The one thing that redeemed this book and kept it from being relegated to a one star rating like Catcher In The Rye was that Frank did at least undergo something that, squinting, one could call character development, so that the ending did at least represent a change from the beginning. But nah. If I hadn't committed myself to reviewing the book I'd have put it down at 30% and never got as far as the parts that made it tolerable.
Thanks for the review copy, NetGalley, but it just wasn't my thing. At all.
August 7, 2024
so often we are born into a place that doesn't suit us and then we hope for it to be changed. we knew things need to change when there is hope for it to feel better, to be better. we work hard to make it happen and it indeed will make us feel like change is closer. but moreover than not, when the result is not anywhere to be seen, working for change is kind of a change itself, and that is enough🔻🔻🔻
November 13, 2015
The first quarter of the book I was thinking; hmmmm I’m not feeling this. At page 110 it finally looked like things might be starting to become more engaging and interesting. If I had been reading this as a book I borrowed from the library, I would have given up five, maybe seven chapters in. But as I was given this book to review I pushed through. I’m glad I did, obviously, hello my three star rating. But damn. The whole book is 468 pages. The last 50% is what I really liked. I think if the first 50% was condensed, say cut down by a hundred pages, it would make it spectacular, maybe even a five-star standout.
The Good: We see Frank, the POV character, grow from a self-absorbed teenager to a caring young man. In the end we get some hope and love come shining through the story (for frank and his girl at least).
The Bad: The book is rather depressing and It is really SLOW to take off. Nobody other than Frank and his love interest get to go anywhere. His sister’s life will be better thanks to Franks actions, but she’s still stuck in shit town, along with all the other oppressed people.
The book is listed as for 12 and up. Frank starts the story as a 17-year-old leaving school, fighting with his inner demons, not wanting to turn into his father, not wanting his soul to be taken away by the nine to five drawl, not wanting to become an adult. A 12-year-old would not get any of this. Give this to kids in their final year at high school, that’s who will click with it. Give it to the adults that can still remember how it felt to be those lost teenagers. I think this book could create a huge following, if put in front of the right audience.
The Good: We see Frank, the POV character, grow from a self-absorbed teenager to a caring young man. In the end we get some hope and love come shining through the story (for frank and his girl at least).
The Bad: The book is rather depressing and It is really SLOW to take off. Nobody other than Frank and his love interest get to go anywhere. His sister’s life will be better thanks to Franks actions, but she’s still stuck in shit town, along with all the other oppressed people.
The book is listed as for 12 and up. Frank starts the story as a 17-year-old leaving school, fighting with his inner demons, not wanting to turn into his father, not wanting his soul to be taken away by the nine to five drawl, not wanting to become an adult. A 12-year-old would not get any of this. Give this to kids in their final year at high school, that’s who will click with it. Give it to the adults that can still remember how it felt to be those lost teenagers. I think this book could create a huge following, if put in front of the right audience.
October 22, 2015
I was not a big fan of this book. It is the story of Frank who, according to himself, lives in a world that is Grey. It is set in a post-war society and is rather confusing. For example, there is Old Town, Old New Town, and New New Town. There are many restrictions in his society as well as a "student" who lives in his house with his family and who sits, observes, and takes notes on everything the family does. Frank is obsessed with former classmate Olivia and spends much of his post-school time riding back and forth past her house. He has delusions of grandeur and is rather paranoid. He believes that her house is thwarting him in his mission to casually come across Olivia. Frank is arrogant, conceited, and egotistical. As a character, he is not very likable. Frank visits his Grandfather's grave and talks with Grandfather who tells him philosophical, BIg Fish-esque stories which don't really seem to connect to the main story.
The story is slow moving, confusing, and strange. I do not recommend it.
The story is slow moving, confusing, and strange. I do not recommend it.
May 2, 2016
I really liked the plot of this book and how Frank wanted to escape his life in a way I get that and I get Frank. But at the beginning I hated the way Frank thought about women it disgusted me. I wanted to put the book down but hey I hardly give up on a book.
This book took an unexpected turn and I liked the meaning. However I doubt it will stay with me long like the back cover claims. It was a little slow and boring at times but I understood why.
The author doesn't really care if you like the character because I started to dislike the females but it changed just like Frank changed in this book. And I love it when characters develop.
This book took an unexpected turn and I liked the meaning. However I doubt it will stay with me long like the back cover claims. It was a little slow and boring at times but I understood why.
The author doesn't really care if you like the character because I started to dislike the females but it changed just like Frank changed in this book. And I love it when characters develop.
October 15, 2015
This book is totally unique. It demands attention and thought. It's dark but humorous throughout - with Frank as the object of this. Any bookish, arty teen (or once upon a time teen) will laugh and cringe along at (with?) Frank, and applaud his growth from that posing-rebel-without-a-cause phase to a restless youth with guts, integrity, and get up and go. I wish Goodreads had the function to mark Anything That Isn't This both as 'read' and 'to-read', because I know that I will return to it again and again.
February 23, 2016
Intense. Took a while to get going, as the book isn't really fast-paced at the start. It definitely gets better though. Really liked it at the end, even though the book was nowhere near what I thought it would be about.
However, I have to be honest: it was quite badly written at some parts, which made it harder to read.
However, I have to be honest: it was quite badly written at some parts, which made it harder to read.
November 9, 2015
Humorous, ironic, political, and a great read!
November 22, 2015
De lo único que no me arrepiento es de haberlo terminado.
August 9, 2017
Un po' diverso dagli altri libri dello stesso autore. Questa volta Priestley abbandona i racconti oscuri di morti, fantasmi e maledizioni e prende la strada della distopia; il romanzo è ambientato in una città di cui non viene fatto il nome (ma che è ispirata a Praga), in un anno che non viene mai citato. Ciò che si sa è che, dopo una grande guerra, il Ministero controlla tutto, decide tutto, censura ogni cosa incoraggi il libero pensiero; i sogni, le ambizioni, la fantasia, tutto viene appiattito in un grande grigiore.
Il protagonista, Frank Palp è un diciassettenne che, come tutti i protagonisti di Priestley, è pieno di difetti, a volte anche sgradevole, ma credibilissimo: un adolescente pieno di rabbia e insofferenza, che si sente soffocare dalla società che lo circonda, e desideroso di perseguire qualcosa di più nella vita, che un monotono e assurdo impiego al Ministero.
È egocentrico e pieno di sprezzo verso tutti: per i suoi compagni di classe superficiali con cui non riesce e non vuole integrarsi, che per i suoi genitori che gli sembrano vuoti, privi di sogni o desideri. Tra le poche persone apprezza ci sono Dawn, sua amica da sempre, Olivia, la ragazza di cui è innamorato, e suo nonno... che è morto, e che lui va a trovare al cimitero. La morte comunque non impedisce al nonno di parlare a Frank e di raccontargli strane storie che forse sono un po' delle parabole. Il nonno, d'altra parte, era uno scrittore, anche se il Ministero ha distrutto tutti i suoi libri.
Frank stesso sogna di diventare uno scrittore, e ama leggere; ma non i piatti romanzi sfornati dal Ministero, bensì quelli di un tempo: quelli di prima della guerra, ora venduti privi dei capitoli finali per scoraggiarne la lettura senza tuttavia passare per censori.
Nonostante quanto sappia rendersi irritante e sciocco, chiunque sia stato un adolescente arrabbiato, pieno di desideri e di paura per il futuro, potrà riconoscersi in Frank, e potrà sentirsi coinvolto dal suo percorso. E sarà preoccupato per lui quando sembrerà che si stia incasellando nella società grigia, abbandonando gli ideali, quando sembrerà scendere a un po' troppi compromessi, dimenticando i propri sogni, se non ridicolizzandoli lui stesso.
Eppure il periodo in cui sembra 'appiattirsi' è anche quello che poi lo aiuta ad aprire gli occhi: a capire perché suo padre sia sempre così arrabbiato, e che anche le persone che gli sembrano piegate al Ministero forse stanno lottando, per quel che possono, per preservare se stessi e proteggere gli altri. Scoprirà tante cose sulla vita, sulla gioia e sulle sofferenze di chi gli è vicino, e di cui non si era mai accorto, preso com'era dal pensare solo a se stesso.
E così alla fine gli si aprono gli occhi, e trova che i suoi sogni ci sono ancora, e si scopre capace di fare le scelte giuste, di essere coraggioso, di amare e di essere amato dalla propria famiglia.
Un buon romanzo, una lunga metafora; è anche tremendamente lento, tanto che non credo che sia interessante per un ragazzino del target a cui sarebbe indirizzato: vieni infatti indicato come adatto dai dodici anni in su, ma trovo che possa essere meglio capito e apprezzato da un lettore intorno all'età del protagonista ... o anche da un ragazzo più grande, nell'età in cui bisogna scegliere la propria strada, quando i sogni sembrano dover soccombere al dovere e alle responsabilità. E anche un adulto può sentirsi coinvolto, se ha passato le stesse sensazioni e la stessa paura di diventare solo un ingranaggio in una società grigia. Ma è difficile che un dodici-tredicenne possa comprendere tutto questo, o preoccuparsene; si annoierebbe, e non riuscirebbe a empatizzare con il protagonista, a sentire la sua angoscia.
Un grande Priestely, ancora una volta, anche se spero nel ritorno dei fantasmi!
Il protagonista, Frank Palp è un diciassettenne che, come tutti i protagonisti di Priestley, è pieno di difetti, a volte anche sgradevole, ma credibilissimo: un adolescente pieno di rabbia e insofferenza, che si sente soffocare dalla società che lo circonda, e desideroso di perseguire qualcosa di più nella vita, che un monotono e assurdo impiego al Ministero.
È egocentrico e pieno di sprezzo verso tutti: per i suoi compagni di classe superficiali con cui non riesce e non vuole integrarsi, che per i suoi genitori che gli sembrano vuoti, privi di sogni o desideri. Tra le poche persone apprezza ci sono Dawn, sua amica da sempre, Olivia, la ragazza di cui è innamorato, e suo nonno... che è morto, e che lui va a trovare al cimitero. La morte comunque non impedisce al nonno di parlare a Frank e di raccontargli strane storie che forse sono un po' delle parabole. Il nonno, d'altra parte, era uno scrittore, anche se il Ministero ha distrutto tutti i suoi libri.
Frank stesso sogna di diventare uno scrittore, e ama leggere; ma non i piatti romanzi sfornati dal Ministero, bensì quelli di un tempo: quelli di prima della guerra, ora venduti privi dei capitoli finali per scoraggiarne la lettura senza tuttavia passare per censori.
Nonostante quanto sappia rendersi irritante e sciocco, chiunque sia stato un adolescente arrabbiato, pieno di desideri e di paura per il futuro, potrà riconoscersi in Frank, e potrà sentirsi coinvolto dal suo percorso. E sarà preoccupato per lui quando sembrerà che si stia incasellando nella società grigia, abbandonando gli ideali, quando sembrerà scendere a un po' troppi compromessi, dimenticando i propri sogni, se non ridicolizzandoli lui stesso.
Eppure il periodo in cui sembra 'appiattirsi' è anche quello che poi lo aiuta ad aprire gli occhi: a capire perché suo padre sia sempre così arrabbiato, e che anche le persone che gli sembrano piegate al Ministero forse stanno lottando, per quel che possono, per preservare se stessi e proteggere gli altri. Scoprirà tante cose sulla vita, sulla gioia e sulle sofferenze di chi gli è vicino, e di cui non si era mai accorto, preso com'era dal pensare solo a se stesso.
E così alla fine gli si aprono gli occhi, e trova che i suoi sogni ci sono ancora, e si scopre capace di fare le scelte giuste, di essere coraggioso, di amare e di essere amato dalla propria famiglia.
Un buon romanzo, una lunga metafora; è anche tremendamente lento, tanto che non credo che sia interessante per un ragazzino del target a cui sarebbe indirizzato: vieni infatti indicato come adatto dai dodici anni in su, ma trovo che possa essere meglio capito e apprezzato da un lettore intorno all'età del protagonista ... o anche da un ragazzo più grande, nell'età in cui bisogna scegliere la propria strada, quando i sogni sembrano dover soccombere al dovere e alle responsabilità. E anche un adulto può sentirsi coinvolto, se ha passato le stesse sensazioni e la stessa paura di diventare solo un ingranaggio in una società grigia. Ma è difficile che un dodici-tredicenne possa comprendere tutto questo, o preoccuparsene; si annoierebbe, e non riuscirebbe a empatizzare con il protagonista, a sentire la sua angoscia.
Un grande Priestely, ancora una volta, anche se spero nel ritorno dei fantasmi!
September 28, 2017
Well this was a surprising read. Not just a typical YA dystopian novel, but a peculiar, artistic novel complete with illustrations throughout.
For some reason, I wasn't expecting the strange world that Priestley created in this book. The Grey is suffocating Frank, the Ministry controlling his every decision. Most people are okay with it, comfortable in the routine provided. But Frank wants more.
First, Frank is obsessed with a girl from his school. Even after they graduate, he is desperate to be with her - he believes they're 'fated'. But after a while, he realises that maybe she's not quite right for him.
This combines two typical YA romance plots - the "unpopular boy gets the cool girl" and also the "childhood friends become lovers" plot. I think it's a bit unusual to mix the two, but I didn't find anything spectacular about this aspect of the novel.
The whole book has a very strange abstract sort of feel to it; I was unsure at times whether to actually take what he was saying at face value or take it as a metaphor. There are loads of weird myths that are thrown around, many of which play a big role later in the book.
The friendship with Scape was interesting; it kind of just happened out of the blue and ended in a similar way. And Mr Vertex was a weird character - it was obvious there was something strange about him, and I felt he really added to the abstract feel created.
The book kind of felt grey, but not in a bad way - as in, I felt how Frank felt about his life. I was pretty shocked by how dark it got at the end, quite suddenly. The ending was a bit of a whirlwind, followed by a moment of calm. The calmness was nice, an interesting ending that left your imagination running wild.
I didn't really enjoy this book at first but I did eventually get into it, and quite liked it. I definitely liked the unique feel it had, almost like Coraline. 3.5 stars.
For some reason, I wasn't expecting the strange world that Priestley created in this book. The Grey is suffocating Frank, the Ministry controlling his every decision. Most people are okay with it, comfortable in the routine provided. But Frank wants more.
First, Frank is obsessed with a girl from his school. Even after they graduate, he is desperate to be with her - he believes they're 'fated'. But after a while, he realises that maybe she's not quite right for him.
This combines two typical YA romance plots - the "unpopular boy gets the cool girl" and also the "childhood friends become lovers" plot. I think it's a bit unusual to mix the two, but I didn't find anything spectacular about this aspect of the novel.
The whole book has a very strange abstract sort of feel to it; I was unsure at times whether to actually take what he was saying at face value or take it as a metaphor. There are loads of weird myths that are thrown around, many of which play a big role later in the book.
The friendship with Scape was interesting; it kind of just happened out of the blue and ended in a similar way. And Mr Vertex was a weird character - it was obvious there was something strange about him, and I felt he really added to the abstract feel created.
The book kind of felt grey, but not in a bad way - as in, I felt how Frank felt about his life. I was pretty shocked by how dark it got at the end, quite suddenly. The ending was a bit of a whirlwind, followed by a moment of calm. The calmness was nice, an interesting ending that left your imagination running wild.
I didn't really enjoy this book at first but I did eventually get into it, and quite liked it. I definitely liked the unique feel it had, almost like Coraline. 3.5 stars.
January 7, 2019
A very compelling read that kept me flicking through it all. This book is dystopian fiction, although like all good dystopia novels, the generic post-revolution Nazi-sequel state only serves as the railway lines that the plot rides upon. In addition to this, the author has added in some wonderful illustrations of points in the book that are semi-abstract works of art. They do a great job of adding depth and poignancy to the text within.
The story focuses on Frank, a young man who feels that his world is boring and grey (especially in the all-seeing, mundane state). The world is very mundane. Frank sees a flash of colour, however, and grasps at it with all his might. Will this unravel the state? Will this lead to Frank finding his true calling in the world? Who knows? I don't! (I do.)
Frank, as a protagonist, is - ironically - the most dull part of the story. Perhaps that's the point, that even the dullest person can find rich meaning in it all. I feel Frank is less of a character in this book than an entity that things happen to. The other characters in the book seem distinct enough from each other and you can tell they're trying to make the best of it all in this rather dull and colourless society they live in.
The plot, however, is very well-paced and although the turns can be seen coming from miles away, they do fill me with glee when they occur. The only change is during the ending where everything gets frantic and jumpy, mirroring the thinking style of Frank at this point.
All in all, a great sort-of-dsytopia with a lemon slice of fantasy within, and a few cute moments that left me awwwing. And gorgeous illustrations.
The story focuses on Frank, a young man who feels that his world is boring and grey (especially in the all-seeing, mundane state). The world is very mundane. Frank sees a flash of colour, however, and grasps at it with all his might. Will this unravel the state? Will this lead to Frank finding his true calling in the world? Who knows? I don't! (I do.)
Frank, as a protagonist, is - ironically - the most dull part of the story. Perhaps that's the point, that even the dullest person can find rich meaning in it all. I feel Frank is less of a character in this book than an entity that things happen to. The other characters in the book seem distinct enough from each other and you can tell they're trying to make the best of it all in this rather dull and colourless society they live in.
The plot, however, is very well-paced and although the turns can be seen coming from miles away, they do fill me with glee when they occur. The only change is during the ending where everything gets frantic and jumpy, mirroring the thinking style of Frank at this point.
All in all, a great sort-of-dsytopia with a lemon slice of fantasy within, and a few cute moments that left me awwwing. And gorgeous illustrations.
July 29, 2017
Is it weird this book gave me hope?
Chris Priestley has once again shown me why he is my favourite author. His dark tales never fail to capture my interest! I see a lot of myself in Frank Palp, the longing for something more, and I loved it never have I felt as close to a story as I did this one; every sentence had a way of relating to how I feel. Don't we all long for more? Don't we all need an escape?
By far one of my favourite books, it has been a long time since a devoured a whole book, especially a long one, in an entire night! Truly and utterly enjoyed Anything That Isn't This,
Chris Priestley has once again shown me why he is my favourite author. His dark tales never fail to capture my interest! I see a lot of myself in Frank Palp, the longing for something more, and I loved it never have I felt as close to a story as I did this one; every sentence had a way of relating to how I feel. Don't we all long for more? Don't we all need an escape?
By far one of my favourite books, it has been a long time since a devoured a whole book, especially a long one, in an entire night! Truly and utterly enjoyed Anything That Isn't This,
March 17, 2018
A Kafkaesque tale that reads a bit like a cross between 1984 and Gormenghast but which lacks something essential to make it comparable to either. It is a very slow read until the final few pages, which read as though the author suddenly realised he was getting bored so wrapped it all up as quickly as he could.
January 22, 2020
The story was rather hard to follow at first but I got the hang of it after going in more pages. It takes an interesting topic, I would say. It's about the main character truly finding what he wants (and also the girl he loves) and coping with all the problems that come at him. I quite enjoy the book.
November 25, 2019
I found myself watching this book play in my mind like a movie. I think it’s one of Priestley’s best works and I think anyone who enjoys mystery, humour, love and escapism should read this. I highly recommend it!
January 25, 2020
A YA book set in an Orwellian dystopia about creativity and daring to dream. Priestley has a gorgeous writing style and makes the stark landscapes oddly beautiful. The ending was, to me, brilliantly ambiguous.
July 2, 2017
Chilling.
October 14, 2017
A bit boring and a disappointing ending.
May 11, 2021
This book was very well written. I thoroughly enjoyed the imagery and the character arcs
June 27, 2023
Absolutely loved this book. Definitely not for everyone but I loved it!
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