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Angela M is taking a little summer break's Reviews > The Great Believers
The Great Believers
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by
The Great Believers
3.5 stars rounded up
1980s Chicago, the devastating AIDS epidemic seen through the eyes of a group of gay friends as they slowly lose so many in their circle of friends, reflects the time in a realistic way . Fiona who has lost her loving brother and many of their friends over the years travels in to Paris in 2015, connecting with Richard an old friend from those times, as she searches for her daughter and the grandchild she has not met. The chapters alternate between these two time periods and these two places and it was good to have the connection of some of the same people so moving from one time to another felt seamless in ways.
This is an important story depicting the devastation of the Aids epidemic, but there were so many times when I felt that the story dragged on, was too long, that I was not as captivated as I hoped I would be. While I was definitely moved by the 1980s sections in the first half of the book, there were too many characters and I found it difficult to connect. However, the last quarter of the book really changed my overall feelings about the story. It was in these last chapters when we see the intimate thoughts and profound affect on one of the characters, Yale, that I became much more connected emotionally. The awfulness of the physical symptoms and the emotional toll were heartbreaking and Yale is a character that I felt I came to know in a much deeper way than others . In the 2015 ending chapters, Richard’s photographic show brought the two time frames together full circle in a perfect way. Again I think it’s an important story to tell and an important one to be read. For that and the last part of the book I’ll round up to 4 stars.
I read this with with Diane and Esil. Diane loved it most , I think, and had a special connection since she is from Chicago.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Viking through Edelweiss.
3.5 stars rounded up
1980s Chicago, the devastating AIDS epidemic seen through the eyes of a group of gay friends as they slowly lose so many in their circle of friends, reflects the time in a realistic way . Fiona who has lost her loving brother and many of their friends over the years travels in to Paris in 2015, connecting with Richard an old friend from those times, as she searches for her daughter and the grandchild she has not met. The chapters alternate between these two time periods and these two places and it was good to have the connection of some of the same people so moving from one time to another felt seamless in ways.
This is an important story depicting the devastation of the Aids epidemic, but there were so many times when I felt that the story dragged on, was too long, that I was not as captivated as I hoped I would be. While I was definitely moved by the 1980s sections in the first half of the book, there were too many characters and I found it difficult to connect. However, the last quarter of the book really changed my overall feelings about the story. It was in these last chapters when we see the intimate thoughts and profound affect on one of the characters, Yale, that I became much more connected emotionally. The awfulness of the physical symptoms and the emotional toll were heartbreaking and Yale is a character that I felt I came to know in a much deeper way than others . In the 2015 ending chapters, Richard’s photographic show brought the two time frames together full circle in a perfect way. Again I think it’s an important story to tell and an important one to be read. For that and the last part of the book I’ll round up to 4 stars.
I read this with with Diane and Esil. Diane loved it most , I think, and had a special connection since she is from Chicago.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Viking through Edelweiss.
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Reading Progress
December 20, 2017
– Shelved
December 20, 2017
– Shelved as:
to-read
March 5, 2018
–
Started Reading
March 9, 2018
– Shelved as:
edelweiss-reviews
March 9, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-37 of 37 (37 new)
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Diane S ☔
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rated it 4 stars
Mar 10, 2018 02:30PM
Both awesome and honest, Angela.
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Thanks , Diane! I really can’t wait to read your review.
This sounds like a good one. I'll keep in mind the multiple characters. Thanks Angela fabulous review.
Nice review, Angela. I'll pass as I'm swamped.
Jen, thanks. I think you’ll be convinced to add it when you read Diane’s review.Bianca, thanks . I’m trying to get caught up too !
Lovely review, Angela! I have this one here and I’m worried about the draggy parts. I’m glad you found it meaningful overall, and that gives me a lot of hope.
Super review, as ever, Angela. I'm going to check out Diane and Esil's...
Jennifer, yes I definitely found this to be a meaningful story . I’ll be interested in what you think ,
Kevin, thanks very much .
Wonderful review of an important story, Angela.
Laysee, thanks so much .
Tammy , thanks very much .
Great review, Angela. You and I pretty much agreed on this one.
Thanks , Esil . Yes , we did pretty much agree . I did love Diane’s take .
Wonderful review, Angela. So hard to look back on those days when it seemed so much more prevalent. Glad you all enjoyed this.
Cheri , thanks . Yes, so sad to recall how devastating it was . While it was slow at times, there’s no doubt about the importance of this story.
top form, angela! does music play a significant role in this story?
Wonderful review, Angela. Another author I would like to read!
Thanks , paulie and Antoinette!paulie, not music but art work in the form of a drawings, paintings and photography.
Fabulous review, Angela - and I agree that it is a very important topic that we can learn a lot from!
Jaline , thanks so much .
Terrific review, Angela. I’ll pass, too. Too many books that must be read NOW, lol.
Nice that the book picked up toward the end but I think I'll pass on adding it to the mountainous tbr. Thanks for an honest review!
Debbie and Jan, thanks! I can relate to the piles :)
I think I will pass on this one, Angela. However, it is surely a story that needs telling.
Marialyce, I’m glad I hung in there because it is a story to be told but there are so many books to read !
Great review, Angela! I'm so intrigued and I think Makkai is a terrific writer, but all of your ratings don't make me excited to read it.
Larry , thanks . You should read Diane’s review . She loved it more than Esil and I did . While it was slow times , I did think it was worth reading for the importance of highlighting the AIDS epidemic.
Great review, Angela. Hmmm - this one sounds like a mixture of awesome, good, and semi-good. Ha ha.
Melissa, a mixed bag for me . Check out Diane S’s review for a different perspective. Thanks ! Hope all is well with you !
Angela M wrote: "Melissa, a mixed bag for me . Check out Diane S’s review for a different perspective. Thanks ! Hope all is well with you !"Will do! Thanks so much!
We’re book sisters for sure 😍
This book looks incredible! L.O.L I want to be a "Book Sister" too! I've always wanted to be one!
Wonderful honest review Angela! 🙂
