I was so intrigued by the synopsis of the Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, 4 children told the date they would die by a local psychic and how their lives were impacted by that knowledge, but sadly the book did not live up to my expectations. The book was well-written, but from the very first perspective of the youngest child, Simon, I was put off. Simon is coming to terms with his sexuality; his sexual escapades are described so graphically and in such detail that for this reader it was difficult to continue reading. Although it made sense to include some descriptions of these details because he was discovering himself and his desires overwhelmed him, it was just too much.
The novel felt like an accurate depiction of the time, but I thought the book would focus more on the effect of knowing one’s date of death. None of the characters were particularly likable, and there were too many character stereotypes. I don’t think that I was the ideal audience for this novel.
The novel felt like an accurate depiction of the time, but I thought the book would focus more on the effect of knowing one’s date of death. None of the characters were particularly likable, and there were too many character stereotypes. I don’t think that I was the ideal audience for this novel.