Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: A Novel by Jonathan Safran Foer
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Book Reviews of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: A Novel
Book Review: One of my all-time favorite books
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a dear and tender story about 10-year old Oskar's search to learn more about himself, his father and mother, and life in the wake of the 9-11 tragedy. Foer masterfully uses this raw event as the backdrop for this wonderfully engaging story about a family and a little boy trying to make sense of the world. Foer's use of flip-pages and sometimes seemingly random images brings just the right amount of quirkiness to make the reader believe he/she is really reading Oskar's thoughts and words. Oskar's ongoing dialogue with Stephen Hawkings is another great addition to this book. I have recommended this book to dozens of friends, given it as a gift to several friends and family members, and continue to re-read this book every year or two. As the parent of a boy (who was exactly Oskar's age on first reading) I also find this book to be one of the most insightful parenting books I've ever read. It's a book about knowing when to give space to those you love, when to trust the kindness of strangers, and when to be thankful for all that you have- even after an extreme loss.Book Review: If I could give this book 10 stars I would!
Summary: 5 Stars
People have been telling me to read this book for a long time, and it's no wonder. Just amazing. It blew my mind and (for fear of sounding like a cornball) touched my heart. I adored these characters, and cannot speak highly enough of the writing. The voices and characters throughout the story were unique and not without their issues, and that was what made them so real and sympathetic.
The different mediums used to tell this story were brilliant. Photos, different font and writing styles, just perfect. I thought it was gutsy to write about 9/11, but in the end, that was a key element to the story. It provided raw emotionality that everyone could relate to in terms of the devastation of the attack, and it was a nice addition to a story about strangers getting to know one another and making connections. That seemed to be a very important occurrence after the event.
I cannot wait to read more by this author. I can't stop thinking about Oskar! Such a unique character, he will stay with me for a very long time.
Book Review: Extremely Lovely & Incredibly Cool
Summary: 5 Stars
If anyone is familiar with my reviews (aha, doubtful), they would know five stars is a rarity for me.
But my goodness. What drew me in was the cover. I know, I know, don't judge a book by its cover. Do any of us actually honor that, though? It didn't disappoint. This book is probably now an all-time favorite, and given how much I read, that says quite a bit. It made me laugh, want to cry; it made me hurt, and gave me hope. After a particular part in the story, I went online and started watching 9/11 videos. Most of which I have seen, but haven't watched in a few years, really. Anyone from America knows what an impact that had on our country, and it makes you proud of Home all over again. I can't do this book justice.
I think everyone needs a reminder of that day, especially if no family was affected by the attacks. I feel like I want to give Oskar a hug, and I want to thank the author for all he's done by writing this. Pure brilliance.
Book Review: Sad, strange, and profound
Summary: 5 Stars
What a sad, strange, profound book this is. I thoroughly enjoyed how Jonathan Safran Foer's edgy style (complete with photos and not-too-over-the-top typographical tricks) worked in stark contrast to the withering sadness of the subject matter. I was moved to tears and to laughter by the poignancy of the lead character's life as he navigates the much-too-recent, post-9/11 landscape and his frustrating interactions with his widowed mother and his austerely drawn grandmother. I'd like to say that this book, along with "The Kite Runner," "Life of Pi," "His Dark Materials," "The World to Come," and especially "The Book Thief," gives me hope for the future of contemporary fiction. Truth is, the state of fiction never got to the point of hopelessness; rather, it was I who turned my back on the stunningly prolific, transformational world that only fiction can open. I'm not only glad I found my way back; I'm ecstatic that I've lost myself utterly and eternally.Book Review: memory and loss
Summary: 5 Stars
A friend recommended Foer's first book, Everything is illluminated, but when I could not find it in the bookshop I bought Extremely Loud. I am a picky reader, demand good writing. Foer's book totally grabbed me. The main character is vaguely reminiscent of the boy in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time: he is clearly on the compulsive possibly autistic scale. Foer makes him come across as real and more real as the story progresses. this is a novel about memory and loss and how humans cope with loss and how difficult it is to communicate one's sense of mourning and loss to others, even to those closest, or maybe particulary those. It is a rich novel. Even though I rarely re-read books, I'll be rereading this one. I later bought Everything is Illuminated, which deals with similar subject matter. I found Foer's first book much harder to read, although it too got under my skin. Foer is a brilliant author.