Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

So i just finished this book and am just blown away, it mixed history, humour, and sadness into one amazing package and now im so sad it's over! what did you guys think of the ending? looks like happiness eluded the main character after all...

I was disappointed by this book. I feel that the shift between characters isn't smooth and it ruined a lot for me.

I found the novel to be mostly pretty smooth. I liked the way he changed voices and points of view. That was unique. However, I found the sections that were written in long run-on sentences tiring to read.

For me, even though some portions of the book became a bit tedious to read, I really enjoyed his writing style.

I appreciated the change of voices also. I thought it added a great deal to the contrast of the characters -- which is one of the important themes of the book -- how different they were from each other on the surface yet how similar on a deeper level.

I liked this book, I thought that it had the perfect mix of humor and seriousness, never going too far to either side. I am also a real sucker for Jonathon Safran Foer's writing style, it's just fun to read. Even better than this though was his Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. It was one of the most touching and personal looks at the World Trade Center attacks through the eyes of a little boy who lost his father in them.

Loved this book. Interesting that a similar (if possible) and another good one is The History of Love by Nicole Krause, who happens to be Foer's wife.

Loved this book, I read it when it came out, I think Foer is hysterical

I enjoyed Everything is Illuminated, but agree with Logan that Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is JSF's best work. Wow. Top 5 all time. Life changing.

I loved the book - I found the shift between styles to be engaging, Alex's narrative voice was hilarious, and I greatly enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters. I think Alex stands up as a truly great character; he's so full of pathos and yearning, and the conclusion to his story really moved me.

I cannot put into words how important this book is to me... so much so that I'm planning my own trip to Ukraine to find the remains of the shtetl my great grandparents were from. Even better still is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

I listened to this book a year or so ago. A patron at the library where I work recommended it--I doubt I ever would have come across it on my own. It is a great story for audio, the reader did a fine job.

It was a few years ago, but I remembered loving this book when I first read it. Anybody see the movie? Is it any good?

I'm not sure if I should go back and reread Everything is illuminated now, it or just go on to read 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'.

The movie is wonderful. It combines comedy, drama and pathos. If you get HBO you can see it there.

I agree. Both the movie and the book are excellent and mirror each other well enough, I thought.

Jenny - I vote you move on to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Personally, I'd rather read a new book than read a different one twice, but I think you'll really like Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

I admit I do like to reread, but if I can find a new book to enjoy, that is even better. :-)

I enjoyed this book, althought it did take some getting used to the style of writing presented in Illuminated. I absolutely loved Alex and his self-impression and the hopes he has for his little brother. Not a book I'd recommend to everyone, and not sure that it warrants being on the list of books to read before you die, but definately worth picking up.

Agreed, a quirky book that was certainly interesting in point of view and language. Nothing groundbreaking, but that's part of the fun of the list I suppose, discussing what's worthy and what's not.

I loved the movie. It came highly recommended to me by a close friend. It's definitely worth a viewing.

I'm reading the book right now but I have to admit, it's slow going. I was so excited to get the book and I just new I was going to love it, but I find myself struggling through certain chapters (the ones dealing with the history of Trachimbrod) and details that I can't fully grasp (perhaps my knowledge of the Jewish traditions is just not up to par?)

I am enjoying it (especially Alex's parts), I just wish it wouldn't be so hard to pick up at times. I think I put it down during a boring part then I end up jumping to a new book and leaving the old on the shelf (The same thing has happened to Eclipse - set down for Everything Is Illuminated; and EII - set down for Even Cowgirls Get the Blues; which has just recently been set down for Atonement.)

the book and the movie are quite different i think, though both are really good. Loved them both. It shifted something within me.

I thought the book was amazing, and I liked the movie as well even though they were very different. The movie was way simpler. I read this in 2005, so some of the details are gone, but there are a few scenes that remember distinctly. I even remember getting so upset during one scene that I threw the book across the room and burst into tears. To me, that means it's a really good book. The language was different from anything else that I had, another reason that I enjoyed it. It sounds like most people preferred Foer's next novel, but I couldn't disagree more. I didn't find the main character believable at all. Maybe it just hit closer to home to most Americans, but I was really disappointed by it. Everything is Illuminated is a favorite of mine, and I expected something great in EL&IC, but it is one of my least favorites. I do have a copy of his wife's book, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I've heard that she is the better writer of the two.

I agree with you Kristi, I thought Everything is Illuminated was better than EL&IC. i thought it was more universal- the journey through tragedy, loss and searching for truth. I cried my eyes out for both the movie and the book, where there was a constant lump in my throat from the emotion this story drudged up in me.

I thoroughly enjoyed Everything is Illuminated. I have El&IC on my shelf. I hope I am not disappointed!

I LOVE EL&IC (although it has its flaws). I think it's easier to get into than Everything Is Illuminated

I haven't laughed out loud while reading for a long time! There are definitly elements of magic realism in this novel which makes me think of one of my favorite books - The House of the Spirits by Isabelle Allende.

When I first started this novel I had to take notes to keep the character's straight. But I love the "voices" in this novel! They're so alive!

I watched the film when I was about 80 pages into the book because I was hoping it would help me with the text, voice, etc.

It did. I also noticed a huge discrepany with Grandfather's story in the book & his story in the film. In the book he is the character who shoots his friend. In the movie he is the character who loiters out in front of the library & everyone believes he's slow witted. However, there were images of Grandfather's story from the book so I don't think the movie did a good job in conveying this point.

Did anyone else notice this?

I had a hard time reading this one and I eventually put it down. I think the writing style was not something I wanted to put up with at the time. I do have Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close so maybe I will give that one a read before I try again.

Do any of you guys think it matters? Or should I just attack it on its own again?