Hit by a meteorite, brought up by a clairvoyant mother, and subject to epileptic fits, Alex is the definition of a teenager who doesn’t fit in. It is only through his friendship with grouchy American, Mr Peterson that he begins to accept his differences.
I can certainly understand the hype around this novel. If there is a more likeable- witty, direct, charmingly naïve- narrator than Alex Woods, I’m not sure I’ve encountered him. The narrative voice is so distinct, that I found it impossible not to be entirely swallowed by the world Extence had created.
Isaac Peterson could hardly be more different: a pot-smoking, Vietnam veteran, and long-time fan of Kurt Vonnegut. Alex and his is an unlikely friendship, but one which is based on a true understanding of one another.
Extence strikes an ideal balance between humour – the incident in the headmaster’s office being a particularly good example of this – and darker musings on the nature of existence. The book made me laugh out loud and even shed a few tears. It’s a well-crafted story of friendship, loss, and a celebration of the value of life.
Extence poses questions about what happens after we die, and what it means to die a good death. The result is a novel which leaves you feeling as though you might just have read something very profound.
I really wan to see a film version of this book!
Isaac Peterson could hardly be more different: a pot-smoking, Vietnam veteran, and long-time fan of Kurt Vonnegut. Alex and his is an unlikely friendship, but one which is based on a true understanding of one another.
Extence strikes an ideal balance between humour – the incident in the headmaster’s office being a particularly good example of this – and darker musings on the nature of existence. The book made me laugh out loud and even shed a few tears. It’s a well-crafted story of friendship, loss, and a celebration of the value of life.
Extence poses questions about what happens after we die, and what it means to die a good death. The result is a novel which leaves you feeling as though you might just have read something very profound.
I really wan to see a film version of this book!
This review was first published on the Literature Works website.
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