Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The book felt gimmicky, the characters so unreal (outside of the boy’s mother, that is) that it was too distracting. The first half of the book left me hoping it would get better. The second half was better, but far from great.
Is it supposed to be edgy to write about 9/11? Maybe in 2005, when the book was first published, it was. The pictures and “extras” throughout the book were a good idea in theory but added absolutely nothing to the story itself.
I think a lot of people will love this book because they feel they’re supposed to love it. 9/11. Grieving son. Grieving wife. Patriotism. Saccharine sweet.
A book with this premise – a unique nine year old boy searching for some connection to his father who perished in the towers – could’ve been outstanding. This book, unfortunately, was not.
Right Here 