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Book Reviews of Half Life: A Novel

Half Life: A Novel
Half Life A Novel
Author: Shelley Jackson
ISBN-13: 9780060882358
ISBN-10: 0060882352
Publication Date: 8/1/2006
Pages: 448
Rating:
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 3

3 stars, based on 3 ratings
Publisher: HarperCollins
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

3 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

yolen avatar reviewed Half Life: A Novel on + 92 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was SO looking forward to reading this book, but it was a really big disappointment. The basic premise was very interesting and intriguing, but it quickly devolved into over-complicated nonsense. The very ending was incomprehensible. The only truly sympathetic characters were the grandmother and the dog. Really, don't waste your time.
reviewed Half Life: A Novel on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Having a quite eclectic taste in books, especially "unusual" fiction, I really tried to like this book. What would have normally taken me a week or less to read took me months. I had to keep putting it down because it was that bad. I was determined to finish it though, so I could have a valid opinion. Jackson's use of Nora's narrative was confusing and dystorted. I suppose some of this was to lend to the different personalities and the suggestion to the reader that perhaps there were two narrators. I found it utterly confusing. Also, the transitions between past and present were shotty and dizzy-ing. I am all for charachter development, but when you have 30-40 charachters (outside of Nora and Blanch) who are introduced, it really makes you not want to care about any of them.
If it wasn't for paperbackswap this book would probably end up in my recycle bin, to save anyone else from torture and confusion. But, if after reading my opinion, you want to put yourself through it, feel free!
reviewed Half Life: A Novel on + 407 more book reviews
This was a very interesting book about identity and sharing. I liked how Blanche gradually woke up and how Nora learned the truth about their past.