Brig Berthold

Loved this. Couldn't put it down.
I was screening this for my 6 year old daughter and I can't wait for her to have this experience!

Solid and fun

While this was not appropriate for my 5 year old (for whom I was screening it) I still would hesitate to pass it on to even a 9 or 10 year old. Simply because I found the characters to be pretty harsh towards one another. Still a good story and plenty spooky. But I'd want to talk my kid through some of the interactions between these characters. It's not bad by any stretch. In fact, I think it would be a great way for kids to expand their empathy but an adult would be good to help.

Better than I thought it would be but then the end seemed to trail off...into false endings that only developed into additional false endings, rather than a ramp up into more. It was interesting. Not a deal breaker but it took off .25 stars.

Loved it. Perfect for what my 5 yr old wants and I can't wait to read it to her. Some well handled themes about death and the afterlife. Nothing was spoonfed so the kids won't feel stupid. Nothing was overly steep to embroil kids in difficult Q&A. Overall just plain fun.

My 5 year old enjoyed most of it. And I know it's not FOR me but I do have to listen to it, as well. Some parts were laugh-out-loud funny but most of it made me feel like the creators didn't value their audience's intelligence too highly. I don't love that for my kid. Just my opinion.

Whoa... this was a great. The premise gave voice to the very interesting philosophical questions at the heart of the short story. According to Blake Crouch, it's only one of a series, written across genres, wherein the same questions are posed by wildly different authors. Super cool idea.

2.59642/5

Wow. This was both unsettling and satisfying at the same time. Great work. 4.5 stars. May upgrade to 5 after it percolates a bit.

3.5 it was cute. Perfect for a 10 yr old, or so.

Really good. Loved the stakes. Loved the character challenges. Dug the conclusion.

This was a terrific and satisfying conclusion. Thanks, Blake.

Ruh roh

Yo... this was bananas. A fever dream. Enthralling. Fast. Neurotic. Satisfying.

Part I: 5+ stars
Part II: 3.5 stars
Overall very solid and enjoyable.

Exquisite! Don't be afraid to let this story stretch you AND your child!!

I love good journalism. It's especially good when punctuated by personal experiences. This is what is called “participation journalism” and it's my favorite technique.

The info in this book is as quality as it is fascinating. Great for empathy. Great for culture. Great for personal inquisitive sessions.

Not in my typical wheelhouse but I enjoyed this.

I'm not alone. If that's not worth it's weight in gold then what is?

It's worth the wait but it's a slow build.

Barely finished

This was an exceptional experience. I really enjoyed it. I am glad I read this as an adult. It was a depressing read set during the great depression and, as such, was about as poignant as it gets. Steinbeck is a master. Once again, I am glad to have had more from him to explore.

What?! How can this be?! I don't know whether I'm satisfied or irate.

Yuck. Presumptuous Christianity cloaked in medicine.

The substance was satisfying.
The writing was great.
The social and human commentary was fantastic.