Book review: The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Title: The Immortalists
Author: Chloe Benjamin
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Tinder Press
Publication date: 9th January 2018
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Summary:
“It’s 1969, and holed up in a grimy tenement building in New York’s Lower East Side is a travelling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the date they will die. Four siblings, too young for what they are about to hear, sneak out to hear their fortunes.
We then follow the intertwined paths the siblings take over the course of five decades and, in particular, how they choose to live with the supposed knowledge the fortune-teller gave them that day. This is a story about life, mortality and the choices we make: is it better to live a long and cautious life, or to burn brightly, but for the shortest time?“
My review:
The premise of this book left me pondering on so many “what-if” moments. Original and daring, the idea of four young children learning the date of their death and living with this knowledge seemed so fascinating that I immediately wanted to read on and find out how it will affect each one of them. The concept seemed unique and one that could develop in endless ways depending on the choices that each sibling makes and, after discovering how different each one is, I was certain that the plot would follow suit.
Several chapters into the book and I was already starting to doubt the concept and wondering why the author had decided to follow such a rigid path for these diverse characters. Klara and Simon both appeared as feisty and impulsive characters at first yet the choices they made and the consequences of their actions seemed unexciting. I found it equally difficult to follow Daniel and Varya’s lives which at first appeared somewhat more compelling but turned out to be just as bleak as their siblings’. Fear, confusion and distress were the feelings that possessed their lives and unfortunately that compromised other exciting moments that they missed out on. Knowing when they would die but not how or why absorbed their lives completely, and understandably so, but the plot was ultimately lacking in positive emotions and the depressing nature of their paths weighed down the story line and weakened the concept in originality.
Although this book raised some thought-provoking and critical questions, I found the execution to be poor and the plot dull at times. I was disappointed with some of the decisions the characters made and would have enjoyed more diversity in the way they reacted to finding out when they would die. However, the issues covered were powerful enough for me to appreciate this book for what it is and it left a huge impact on me and my thoughts and reflections for a long time after I had finished it.
9 Comments
Roachie's Reviews
I’ve just today DNF’d this book, I just didn’t get on with the pace. Loved your review though! X
facingthestory
I’m sorry to hear that it wasn’t for you! For me it wasn’t the pace that was the issue though I agree with you that the beginning was a bit slow. Thank you and I hope your next read is much better!
Stephen Writes
This book has been on my TBR for a long time and I am intrigued by the concept. The quality of the execution seems to vary in some areas. Great review, Darina. 🙂
facingthestory
Thank you, Stephen! The concept is truly unique and I think you might enjoy the book. I would love to hear what you think if you get round to reading it!
Yvo
Fab review! You’ve definitely made me wondering if I should still read this story or leave it for now.
facingthestory
Thank you! I think that you should try it, you may like it! There for sure are mixed reviews but I don’t think that it should stop you from reading it 🙂
Yvo
Good to know!
jennifertarheelreader
Wonderfully thoughtful review, Darina! I liked this more than you because I’m such an emotional reader. The first two siblings’ stories had me totally engrossed, but I can completely understand your points and it’s most definitely not a perfect book. I hope you are reading something you love right now. ♥️
facingthestory
Thanks, Jennifer! It’s so interesting to hear how the characters’ lives affected different readers and I’m glad to see that you enjoyed Klara and Simon’s stories!