Valerie Green
asked:
I found About Grace the most depressing book I have ever read. So disappointing as I really enjoyed All The Light We Cannot See. Doerr's descriptive prose was incredible - if you happen to be a scientist and understood what he was talking about. It was far too deep for my taste and did not move the story along at a steady pace. Many times I decided to give up. David Winkler irritated me beyond words - anyone agree?
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Annamirabilis
Like you I loved All the Light, but found About Grace deeply depressing. Despite myself I kept reading, finding it horribly fascinating. Hardly anything nice happens to Winkler and his lack of objectivity about how awful his life is was for me the weakest aspect of the book. There is some beautiful writing but I got a bit sick of eulogies about the elemental simplicity of water, snowflakes etc. They certainly contributed nothing to the story or the pace of the book.
Maria
Miserable.
That's the word that best describes this book for me.
David is miserable on every page, every day, in every situation.
He never learns from it, he never grows, he never changes.
Ugh.
I hung in there, only to find out what had happened to Grace.
But, having finished, I don't think it was worth it.
As for "too deep" .... Don't sell yourself short because you didn't like it. Melancholy and tragedy aren't the same as "deep." They are simply melancholy and tragedy ... unless there is some real meaning and growth.
That's the word that best describes this book for me.
David is miserable on every page, every day, in every situation.
He never learns from it, he never grows, he never changes.
Ugh.
I hung in there, only to find out what had happened to Grace.
But, having finished, I don't think it was worth it.
As for "too deep" .... Don't sell yourself short because you didn't like it. Melancholy and tragedy aren't the same as "deep." They are simply melancholy and tragedy ... unless there is some real meaning and growth.
Carly Jo
THANK YOU. David Winkler was irritating! In the beginning of his relationship with Sandy, I thought there was something *mildly* endearing about the Apple Jacks, but then Winkler's incessant purchasing of Apple Jacks made me think there was an attempt to put Winkler on the autism spectrum, but that tone or characteristic was not consistent enough, and therefore didn't add anything fascinating to this character (in my opinion).
Pat Stoudt
Wholeheartedly! But had to read to the end! Such a disappointment after All the Light which is one of my all time favorite nooks.
Patricia
I so totally disagree. I am not a scientist, but was drawn in by the way David Winkler saw the world. I assume he had some sort of mental health issue(s), but maybe he was just one of those scientific sorts who are so engrossed with his different perspective of the world that he doesn't interact with the world the way most of us do. What I loved in this book was the fascination with small things, the discussion of water and molecules and snow, the fascination with the insect world, and not least, the way he found a community of people who tolerated him and took him in, took care of him and helped him survive.
Kumari de Silva
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Christine
Could not agree more! I'm 1/2 way done with the book and its been a struggle to get where I am. I think the author writes beautifully, but this story is seems so pointlessly emotionally draining. I think I need to give up on this one!
Sharon
I'm about 1/2 way through and came here to see if I should continue- I never do that. I loved All the light we cannot see. This book is just draining. I think I"m putting it aside. I do want to know about Grace but not enough to keep reading.
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