So I have had a rough couple of months mentally that great so I'm behind on the Three Hallows post although I actually read it last month and spoiler alert I loved it. Anyway here's the review...
Book Review:
David Owen has become one of my favourite YA authors in recent years so even without hearing the synopsis of All The Lonely People, I was excited about his next book. When hearing the synopsis, I was even more excited as the plot was right up my street. It's safe to say that I loved All The Lonely People and it is definitely one of my favourite books of the year!
Although I loved the book by the end, I was really apprehensive about it in the beginning. I don't really know why but something really wasn't clicking. Maybe it was something to do with the narrative but I quickly got over it and came developed into the story.
I think that one of the reasons that I enjoyed the book was due to the story being told with two characters in mind, Kat and Wesley who were both well developed and both had complicated backstories. I think that both of them show the impact that the internet and social media can have on people. While I really empathised with Kat and loved her progression in the book especially coming to terms with herself, Wesley was a really interesting character. Also, David does not shy away from making his characters from working-class backgrounds and giving them hardships which again was a nice touch.
I think that it would have been so easy to make Wesley a really dislikable character but David Owen does not do this, he makes him a more complex character. I think that I was just blown away by what he did with the character and although a flawed character, he does explore the ideas surrounding toxic masculinity which is still everpresent in our society and which David explored more at YALC which I was lucky to attend.
I also think that the more speculative aspect of this book is surrounding the Lonely People which although not being real, reinforces the idea of loneliness that we all feel and how harming it can be. I also do like those in the club and especially like how Wesley was incorporated into the narrative. I also loved Safa and her relationship with Kat as it was an f/f relationship but it was slowly built through the novel and I really loved the end of the book.
It's safe to say that I loved this book. I devoured it mostly in the lead up to YALC so the long train journeys were a great help but I have to say that I was bewitched but the story but the ending definitely changed the book from a strong like to love. By the end, I was so wrapped up in the world and the characters that I was racing through the story and it just made me feel all the feels. What's better is that I haven't really stopped thinking about this book since so it's safe to say I love it!
The Verdict:
All The Lonely People is yet another great book by David Owen, perfect for those who feel lost in the world and feel the need to escape, delete and disappear and telling us that life is really worth living.
Check out the other members of The Three Hallows Book Club here:
*I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free by Hot Key Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. *
Title: All The Lonely People
Title: All The Lonely People
Author: David Owen
Publisher: Atom
Source: Bought/NetGalley
Rating: 5/5 stars
Book Summary:
Everyone tells Kat that her online personality - confident, funny, opinionated - isn't her true self. Kat knows otherwise. The internet is her only way to cope with a bad day, chat with friends who get all her references, make someone laugh. But when she becomes the target of an alt-right trolling campaign, she feels she has no option but to Escape, Delete, Disappear.
All the Lonely People is a timely story about online culture that explores the experience of loneliness in a connected world, and the power of kindness and empathy over hatred.
All the Lonely People is a timely story about online culture that explores the experience of loneliness in a connected world, and the power of kindness and empathy over hatred.
Book Review:
David Owen has become one of my favourite YA authors in recent years so even without hearing the synopsis of All The Lonely People, I was excited about his next book. When hearing the synopsis, I was even more excited as the plot was right up my street. It's safe to say that I loved All The Lonely People and it is definitely one of my favourite books of the year!
Although I loved the book by the end, I was really apprehensive about it in the beginning. I don't really know why but something really wasn't clicking. Maybe it was something to do with the narrative but I quickly got over it and came developed into the story.
I think that one of the reasons that I enjoyed the book was due to the story being told with two characters in mind, Kat and Wesley who were both well developed and both had complicated backstories. I think that both of them show the impact that the internet and social media can have on people. While I really empathised with Kat and loved her progression in the book especially coming to terms with herself, Wesley was a really interesting character. Also, David does not shy away from making his characters from working-class backgrounds and giving them hardships which again was a nice touch.
I think that it would have been so easy to make Wesley a really dislikable character but David Owen does not do this, he makes him a more complex character. I think that I was just blown away by what he did with the character and although a flawed character, he does explore the ideas surrounding toxic masculinity which is still everpresent in our society and which David explored more at YALC which I was lucky to attend.
I also think that the more speculative aspect of this book is surrounding the Lonely People which although not being real, reinforces the idea of loneliness that we all feel and how harming it can be. I also do like those in the club and especially like how Wesley was incorporated into the narrative. I also loved Safa and her relationship with Kat as it was an f/f relationship but it was slowly built through the novel and I really loved the end of the book.
It's safe to say that I loved this book. I devoured it mostly in the lead up to YALC so the long train journeys were a great help but I have to say that I was bewitched but the story but the ending definitely changed the book from a strong like to love. By the end, I was so wrapped up in the world and the characters that I was racing through the story and it just made me feel all the feels. What's better is that I haven't really stopped thinking about this book since so it's safe to say I love it!
The Verdict:
All The Lonely People is yet another great book by David Owen, perfect for those who feel lost in the world and feel the need to escape, delete and disappear and telling us that life is really worth living.
Check out the other members of The Three Hallows Book Club here:
Have you read All The Lonely People? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
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