Helpful Score: 10
Elsewhere is a story about a girl named Liz who died from a hit and run accident. She wakes up to find herself on a boat called the USS Nile, with a girl named Thandi. Thandi also has died from a gunshot wound. They have no idea where they are going, so they explore the boat and both girls get to watch their funerals through binoculars. They arrive in Elsewhere to find that relatives that have passed away before them are waiting on their arrival. Liz is depressed and keeps going to the binoculars at the Observation Deck ( OD ) to see friends and family. Then Liz realizes that maybe Elsewhere isn't as bad as she had once thought, even though you age backwards, just to be born on Earth again.
Elsewhere is a beautiful, captivating novel. It is defiantly different than your regular YA read, but well worth the effort to pick up. It's a book that made me think and ponder on some of the ideas that Gabrielle instills in us. You feel sorry for poor Liz as she battles with depression and missing her family. But, you also feel good that there's so much more for her waiting there at Elsewhere, so of which she couldn't do on Earth. It's safe to say that this is one of my favorites that I've read this year and I'm going to read it again!
Elsewhere is a beautiful, captivating novel. It is defiantly different than your regular YA read, but well worth the effort to pick up. It's a book that made me think and ponder on some of the ideas that Gabrielle instills in us. You feel sorry for poor Liz as she battles with depression and missing her family. But, you also feel good that there's so much more for her waiting there at Elsewhere, so of which she couldn't do on Earth. It's safe to say that this is one of my favorites that I've read this year and I'm going to read it again!
Helpful Score: 9
Great Discussion book. Great Book Period. This is one of the best books that I have ever read. My review doesn't do it justice, but that is just because I don't want to ruin this amazing book for you. Liz wakes up on a bunk in a boat not knowing where she is or how she got there. The shock of her life comes when she finds out that she is dead, the victim of a hit and run driver, and what's more important to her 15 year old self is that she will not turn 16 get her drivers license, go to college, get married or even get big boobs. This is a funny and heart-tugging book of Liz's journey through Elsewhere where she never gets older, but has an unexpected life and will grow younger until she is sent back to earth as a new born to experience life all over again. With the help of her grandmother that died before she is born, Liz makes this journey through anger, regret and triumph. It will definately make you look at the after-life in a totally different way.
Helpful Score: 8
A sweet and charming story of the afterlife, about a fifteen year old coming to grips with her own mortality, and the people and animals she comes into contact with along the way. Easy to read and follow, and keeps you wanting more. I read many books over the course of a year, and this is one of the best I've read in a long time.
Helpful Score: 6
An interesting read. Basically about the after life and how it really is a life all in itself. It held my attention though in some spots the story turned a bit childish or you felt like it was moving too fast. One thing I didn't like was when the author skipped 5 years of Liz's life. It just annoyed me because I would have liked to of known what happened in those 5 years, but it was as if the author just wanted to move the book along and not tell you.
Helpful Score: 5
I read this book in less than a day. While being about the afterlife, Zevin's concept was very fresh and unique! It didn't dwell on any one particular theory or lesson, but was thought provoking and imagniative. HIGHLY recommended!
