We Are Inevitable by Gayle Forman

Challenge #8 ~ “A book set in a state, province or country that you have never visited.”

weareinev

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

My opinion in three sentences:

I wanted to love it and yet I was sceptical – bookworms, by definition, are fans of books, and so it’s a bold move to write a book celebrating the written word and mourning the dying trade of bookshops. Nonetheless, I was impressed by Forman’s handling of the topics, alongside those of some more serious, contemporary themes, and it was an easy page turner. Unfortunately, however, the romantic sideplot was rather unconvincing, and definitely not helped by the aloof nature of our protagonist.

(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:

It’s a well-written book about books. I mean, for any avid reader, what’s not to love about a story that is essentially a love song to independent book stores and personalised recommendations? Forman does it well, and with every chapter named after a book (which always finds a way to neatly tie into the narrative), you’ll come away with another book or two for your TBR!

A warning for the book:

The main character is rather hard to relate to. He’s arrogant and rude, and whilst there’s an attempt to justify how his character has developed such, it felt insufficient for his level of self-centredness. I also found there were two contradicting sides to him, which I couldn’t make fit in my conceptualisation of the character – he was both desperate and innovative in his desire to save the bookstore, and yet completely stubborn and unwilling to listen to anyone else. Somehow, I found the protagonist bearable enough, but if they grate on your nerves considerably, it’s going to be a difficult read.

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