Fiction
2022 W. W. Norton & Company
Finished on April 5, 2023
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but I've heard good things about the author's previous novel (The Children's Bible) and decided to give Dinosaurs a try when I found a copy at the library. What a treat! Reminiscent of A Man Called Ove (minus the curmudgeonly attitude), I fell in love with Gil and his new friends, young and old alike. There's a sense that something terrible might happen, but I was satisfied with the ending, despite its ambiguity. Dinosaurs is a beautifully written, hopeful story. I received a complimentary copy from Libro.fm and while I've already read the print edition, I look forward to listening to the audiobook later this year. You won't want to miss this compelling, thoughtful, and at times humorous, tale. I'm eager to read more by Millet!
I haven't heard much about this novel, but it sounds really good. I never read The Children's Bible, but my friends liked it when our book group read it (yeah, I lagged that month).
ReplyDeleteHelen, it's a quick read and one that I look forward to re-reading (on audio). Now I'm eager to read The Children's Bible.
DeleteWonder why the title, Dinosaurs. Doesn't seem to be about birds either. Glad it was a good read.
ReplyDeleteHarvee, I didn't include any quotes, but this is one from the book, which might help explain the title.
Delete"It was no longer held to be true that all the dinosaurs had gone extinct sixty-six million years ago, after the Chicxulub impactor made its crater in Mexico. Blocked out the sun. And killed off the plants the dinosaurs needed to survive. Only the ones that wouldn’t turn into birds. There were about three thousand active satellites up in the sky, he’d read. Some twenty-thousand pieces of orbital debris. At any given moment, an average of nine thousand passenger planes flying. And yet, he’d thought as he walked, without the last of the dinosaurs the sky would be empty."
Also, the main character was fascinated by all the birds he saw in Arizona compared to when he lived in New York. Each chapter title is a type of bird.
I had no real expectations going into this one and enjoyed it quite a bit. It was fun to be with Gil and his new collection of friends!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, have you read her previous novel (The Children's Bible)? I'm going to look for a copy when I go to the library later this week. I like her writing!
DeleteLes - The blurb for Children's Bible didn't particularly appeal to me... but it would be great if you could screen it for me! ;-)
DeleteI'll be happy to, JoAnn. One of my book group friends loved it, and she & I have similar reading taste, so I'm hopeful!
DeleteOh thanks for the review. I like hopeful novels. I wasn't keen on Millet's Children's Bible novel, which is grim & odd, so I didn't pick this up. But now I think I will.
ReplyDeleteThis one isn't grim, but I think I'll still try The Children's Bible. Here's a link to a super good review that I just read.
DeleteYour comparison to A Man Called Ove caught my attention. I'll have to add this one to my list. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteJen, hope you like it! My husband's going to try it once he finishes his current read (Recursion by Blake Crouch)
DeleteI liked this book a lot. Here are my thoughts: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5247787168
ReplyDeleteDeb, I liked it a lot, too. I especially like how you phrased this about Gil: "...has a magical way of daring to gently speak truth and work through difficulties, who is a deep and genuine friend to all he comes to know." Thanks for sharing the link to your review. Gil reminds me a little bit of my husband, who also speaks gently and is a deep & genuine friend to all he meets.
DeleteThis book sounds great! I loved A Man Called Ove, and this sounds wonderful. Thanks, Les. :-)
ReplyDeleteLaurel, I might need to get a copy of Dinosaurs for a future re-read. It's very good!
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