Kate

When I first marked this book as “currently reading” I found that I'd already marked it read and given in 5 stars. So either there was a glitch or I lied to GR because I have never read this book, which is weird because it's Gaiman and it's definitely I book I know I'd like, but never got around to it until I started see cast photos of the upcoming American Gods series and decided I should read the book so I know what to be excited about. But then everyone had the same idea I guess so I waited quite a while for this book to come in on hold, but I finally got it! Success!

And my lying self from the past was correct in thinking that I'd rate this book 5 stars so here's to her. This book was great. It was exactly what I thought it would be, and I was expecting it to be lovely and weird and beautiful and gross and scary and kind and cruel. I'm very happy that I've read this book now, and I'm extra excited about the series!

China Mieville is a fave, but this one really didn't do it for me. It was definitely creepy at times, in a way that I like, but I didn't feel like I'd really gotten anything from this in the end.

I like books set in Canada, and I like Hope Larson. She put in just a touch of magic which I thought was cute. The parallel stories were nice and so was the history.

I did read the version with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp on the cover, but I really hate doing that. I prefer to see what the author/publisher felt the cover should look like before there were famous faces to sell it with.

I found this book quite charming, much like the movie! I did see the film, a long time ago, and I didn't remember much of it, though it came back while I was reading the book. I did like that Armande in the novel got to make it fully clear that she was choosing to kill herself.I did find that many of the characters in the novel were sympathetic, despite their actions. I felt for Reynaud despite his position as “the villain”; he was damaged in his own way by past events and the gossipy nature of small towns. I don't know that it's a masterpiece, but I really enjoyed reading this book.

I love Michelle Obama. She's smart and introspective in a way that I hope I can be someday. Of course it didn't hurt that her relationship with Barack reminds me of my own relationship. There's a part in the book somewhere (sorry I don't have the exact quote) where Barack is staring off into the distance and Michelle asks him what he's thinking about, and he says “the economy”. That's basically what happens at my house. Also the way they push each other to be better versions of themselves. Michelle and Obama are truly #relationshipgoals! And, not that I would ever be surprised by this, but reading this book you will see just how stark the difference is between Obama and Trump. Though he made some mistakes, Obama was a very good president and cared about the American people and America and the world. I miss the Obamas so much!