Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close in Around the World in 80 Books

Mar 29, 2015 Nikki Morse rated it really liked it

I loved this book so much and was so moved by it, I'm unable to write about it yet. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 08, 2012 Telly rated it it was ok · review of another edition

DISCLAIMER: If you haven't read this book and don't like spoilers, then maybe you shouldn't read this review.

What I liked about this book was the message that it indirectly stated over and over again throughout the book and finally outright expressed in the closing lines, which was [SPOILER! SPOILER!] that the clock is ticking. Time is short. We never know when our last second is up and, as a result, when we will miss the opportunity to say what is important and share how we feel about those we DISCLAIMER: If you haven't read this book and don't like spoilers, then maybe you shouldn't read this review.

What I liked about this book was the message that it indirectly stated over and over again throughout the book and finally outright expressed in the closing lines, which was [SPOILER! SPOILER!] that the clock is ticking. Time is short. We never know when our last second is up and, as a result, when we will miss the opportunity to say what is important and share how we feel about those we love. I loved this message and I love how JSF used the backdrop of the Allied bombing in Germany and the devastation of 9/11 to reinforce this message, as well as the reoccurring themes of loss, destruction, and abandonment.

What I found grueling, however, was the narration and characters' voices. Oskar's voice is tirelessly annoying. I am not sure if this was on purpose, to emphasize the importance communicating, or if JSF was trying to make him cute and endearing. The charm of those nonsensical phrases, like "Jose," "One hundred dollars," and "heavy boots," wore off quickly. The grandfather's nonspeaking "narration" became burdensome, though, admittedly, I can see where both Oskar and Thomas Sr.'s narration may have perhaps been tools JSF used to reinforce his message. In that regard, he was brilliantly creative. Still, I hated the voices of the characters, which, unfortunately, made them extremely detestable. The grandmother was a little less annoying, but even she wore on my nerves a little. The only thing I can think of as potentially more deplorable is seeing Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks play the mother and father on the big screen.

My other issue was the believe-ability of all this. Yes, yes, I know it's hyper realism, which I know a lot about, but I find it hard to believe that a 9 year old would romp all over NYC and its burrows, for the most part, alone. Come on, now. You expect me to believe Oskar would seriously worry about entering his grandmother's renter's bedroom after he has spent nearly eight months entering the houses of strangers all of over NYC? A lady who lives atop the Empire State Building? What the? All the grandmother's rules? What the what the?

Finally, there's those "creative" pages with just photos and one liners. Maybe I'm a purist, but I found it neither creative nor dangerously deconstructing of the literary art form. If anything, I found it disruptive of the story, standing in the way of a beautiful message that desperately needs to be shared.

With the narration, believe-ability, and "creative" liberty that watered down this book, I had no choice but to give it two stars. Still, most of you are giving it 5-stars. There might be something wrong with me. Obviously. Anyway.
...more

Like · see review

Aug 28, 2015 AGB rated it liked it

I gave it 3 stars (since 3.5 was not an option). I wanted to like it more. I found certain parts confusing and had to go back and re-read to see where the time, place and narrator changed, I struggled with the non-linear writing. That was his style here, which I completely respect, however it detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I would read another one of his books.

Like · see review

Apr 05, 2009 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: popular-fiction

My first thought when I finished this book was that it was beautiful. It made me cry a lot, especially at the end but basically it's a wonderful story that deeply explores the way people mourn and how they get on with life after loss. I can't say much more or I'll ruin the story but it really is an interesting look at the meaning of life. It's really about how everyone deals with life differently, how we affect the people around us and how we shape our own reality. In general, it was really touc ...more

Like · see review