Groundhog Day meets super vanilla dude, yawns ensue.
Score: 3.5
Quick Summary: The writing is sometimes beautiful, and the concept is explored in a few new ways. The resolution is forgettable, bordering on anger-inducing.
Synopsis:
This is Harry. When Harry dies, he starts all over again in the exact same spot with all the knowledge of his lives before. Insert a story catalyst here, and go.
Full review:
What if you lived the same life over and over? What would you learn… what would you do… who would you do (I know you were thinking it too, you saucy minx). Well I’m sure you’d do more than Harry August. My biggest gripe with this book is that mostly I didn’t care. The concept, while not unique on its own, was examined in a somewhat new way and was interesting enough. Harry August himself is dull and boring and *yaaawwwwn* sorry, what were we talking about? If Harry was relatable, or flawed, or just had some more depth, we’d be in an entirely different boat. As it is, if I’m ever this boring, feel free to kill me 15 times.
There are flashes of beautiful writing, but there are also times when you’ll feel that you’re plodding along. I guarantee you’ll want more LIFE with Harry’s multitude of lives. I was dissatisfied with the ending. I was disappointed enough that I told my reading buddy to bump it way down his list, but not enough to tell him to forget it entirely.
I’m glad I read it, mostly because I can add to my list of “what if” scenarios I think about when I should be paying attention at meetings.