Rebecca Makkai's Reviews > The Great Believers

I loved your first two novels, so I'm excited to read this new one. (And your review is funny, so bonus points for that.)

The synopsis sounds amazing enough but if it’s 20% as good as your mini review, well....

LOL.

Incidentally, I was unexpectedly charmed by The Hundred-Year House and have pressed it on countless friends since, all of whom had similar reactions.

I will definitely read based upon this review.

Only for this amazing comment i'm gonna read it 😂

I’m very excited to read this. It has been compared to a couple of my favourite books in trusted reviews.

Just waiting for my holidays to roll around and then I plan on reading outside with a glass of wine in my hand

Hahah that took me like 1 minute to understand 🤔🤣🤣

It took me like three minutes and I had to read and re-read it. I found your book on Ann Patchett's page. She called it a must read novel so I extended my Googles. First I'm learning of you as an author but I have a feeling it won't be the last. I look forward to reading The Great Believers.

Haha! I had to think about that review for a second.

I never write reviews. Never. I think that my opinions are subjective. Authors do what I don't have the talent and/or ambition to do--they write, they get published. Who am I to write a review which might influence someone else's purchase and/or opportunity to enjoy a book? But I'm making an exception to my self-imposed rule because this book tore me apart. In the best possible way. Have you ever had that feeling where you want to cry, but all your emotions get stuck painfully in your throat and you feel like you can't breathe and you can't swallow? That's what this book did to me. That's how beautiful and poignant and heart-wrenching it is. Rebecca Makkai, you are a literary rock star and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to read your beautiful novel.

LoL...cute i give you that :)

Snort.

Rarely do I just fall into a book and feel part of it. I LOVED this story, every character, every moment. The inventive structure intensified the journey. I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time, but mostly, I didn’t want it to end. Rebecca Makkai is my new favorite author. I couldn't recommend The Great Believers more highly.

Kerry totally nailed. Cannot stop thinking about this book, loved every bit of it.

Best review EVER!

As the younger sister of a man who died. You tore me apart and I thank you for doing so.

I loved this book. Last night I finished it about 2.10 am . I had work the next day but who cares. Today I stopped by the library and got a copy of The Hundred Year House. Well done Rebecca

Just finished your book and I was blown away. Thank you so much for capturing the pain and joy of gay life in 80's Chicago. Your characters were spot on and the story was very moving. It really took me back to my 20s in Boystown. I look forward to reading your other books. Thank you!

Can you tell your husband’s wife that I’m spellbound by her book? Thanks.

Amazing, amazing book. Thank you so much for writing it and bringing these kinds stories to light for everyone.

Read my 5-star review of The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This book was perfect as far as I’m concerned. I lived Fiona’s life as a 20-something straight woman with a circle of gay male friends, and I so appreciate how you lovingly crafted the stories of this generation that are lost to us.

Thank you for writing this beautiful book!

Your book was wonderful-my brother died of AIDS in 1989-his story was so typical of the characters and situations in the book-custodians in hazmat outfits coming in the hospital room to change a lightbulb-morbid humor of he and his buddies, dying one by one-a good guy-your book caught it all-moving-but better-great storytelling-thanks

I am giving it 5 stars because it deserves each and every one of them!

Thank you for writing this masterpiece. I loved every word.

Lucky him!

LOL. I was considering reading this book until I saw your comment. Now I must read it.

I wanted to thank you for writing this book. I am a 68 (soon to be 69) year old gay man who remembers the gay scene between the outbreak of the disease, the discovery of the antibody tests (and the debate on whether or not to take the test), and the development of the antiviral treatments. The scenes that you describe about people getting sick and then passing away were a steady theme for myself and others during the 1980s and 1990s. One point where one of the characters says something to the effect that they have already been at the stage of life of their parents since all of their friends had passed away struck me particularly, since that is how I sometimes feel. Thanks for writing this book!

Your novel devastated me in the best and most necessary way and took me back to my years working with people with HIV/AIDS In Chicago. Thank you for writing this

Thank you for this beautiful book.

Thank you for giving us this story, Rebecca.

😂 sense of humor to boot!

I only gave it 5 stars because it was so beautiful.

I gave it 5 stars because I LOVED it. Thank you

Just finished it NOW. Loved it! Love everything you write.

I loved this book! Thank you Rebecca 💕🙏🏻

It was a wonderful book

What a beautiful book. Unforgettable.

Thank you so much for this incredible book. Will stay with me

Haha
Great story! Well written!! Loved every minute

Such a wonderful book. Very powerful. The characters in this book will stay with me.

Thank you Ms. Makkai! I finished your novel and I was/am in tears, and frankly I never wanted to leave that world and I'm sad that the journey is over. ONe question though. Why the paper clip in the painting? Did I miss something? Thanks!

Loved this novel! Thank you.

Thank you! I rooted for almost every character, even Charlie, but not Frank. I did not want to leave this world.

I loved this book...bravo!

Now I know I want to read more from you. Loved the book, loved your rating :)

Please tell the author’s husband that his wife has written a beautiful novel.

I’m slow so your comment took me awhile to grasp!

Great story. Thanks for coming to The Tucson Festival of Books, where I first head about it.