The Immortalists

I enjoyed this book and the characters quite a lot. I do feel like I have to mention that the last portion of the book had a lot of animal suffering/animal experimentation on display. I don't fault the author for this, and I see the purpose, but I would have skipped this book had I known this is where we were headed.

Other thoughts:

I really think the book is not as clear cut as the description made it seem, or as clear cut as I've seen in other reviews. I think an argument could be made for the characters working to fulfill the dates of death they'd been given.

Simon's fate seemed a matter of luck, choice, and belief. His dying on the "right" date persuaded Karla, who believed anyhow, and then she took her death date in her own hands. Daniel didn't know for sure Simon's date came true, but I think he still believed, and after Karla was left with guilt, survivor's guilt, and anger. If Simon has survived his date, his siblings would have probably done the same. They were dominoes

I think the details of Simon's story were somewhat worthy of an eye roll. Once he moved where he did, when he did, it was hard to miss where the author was headed. I don't think she was being intentionally homophobic, but considering how these men were treated at the time like they were getting what they deserved... And then to have a character who an argument could be made pursued AIDS, well, I don't know. I have to say that it lacked imagination.

I very much appreciated the idea, in Daniel, that we stack up our regrets concerning family as time goes on, and then realize the weight of it all. We think we have time to fix everything, some day, and that almost always is false.

I very much hate that my heart is still breaking for that poor little starved, neglected monkey. And for Varya as well, but I went in expecting that.

I seriously am amazed how many critical reviews act like the book is a smut-fest. Yes, the beginning of the book focuses on Varya having hit puberty, and mentions pubic hair, but I don't think it was pointless, as people allege. Chloe Benjamin is asking the reader to remember their own confusion and awkwardness, not to mentally ogle a child. Simon's scenes reflected his mindset, his experiences living in a place where he could be as free as any heterosexual person in any other major city, and eventually the scenes spoke of sadness. But I think of all of this as a really small part of the book.

Also, swear words are ... words. You're reading a book. An author should have access to all the words he or she feels are needed. A “naughty” word will not make you crumple, and I don't understand adults acting like they've been sprayed with acid. Find it off putting, sure, but becoming a 19th century school marm?