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Liked It “Faith said: 3 stars |
Didn’t Like It “interesting only to read because of the local setting. the ending blows.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Hey Nostradamus! is narrated by 4 different characters. It starts out from the perspective of Cheryl Amway, who pregnant and secretly married to Jason, is killed in a Columbine-like school massacre in 1988. Cheryl tells us of her life leading up to and during the killings. A very intriguing story when you yearn to learn more of Cheryl and Jason when the next Narrator turns out to be Jason himself 10 years after the school massacre. Jason discusses his life pretty much before, during and after the killings and a little of current life. This is where I get really interested in the book and think that this piece of work is absolutely incredible. I fully expected that Coupland would explore the killers and the killed and dive deeper into this world but he doesn't and I am happy about that. Coupland takes things away from this aspect and into the individual worlds of Cheryl and Jason and the people they knew, were affected by and loved which makes this book more about the people and less about the events.
Faith wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Just when I really start to enjoy the story, it switches to the voice of Heather who is now Jason's girlfriend, several years after Jason's story completes. Heather fills us in on the years in between and I started to get bored with her story and her and Jason's relationship. The final voice is of Jason's father Reg. I think that this was an important voice to hear since much of Jason's life was controlled by his relationship with his father. But still I was losing interest. By the end of the book I honestly just couldn't wait for it to be over. The first half of the book I'd rate a 4/5, the second half a 2/5.. which is why I rated it a 3/5. Im a little disappointed that I didn't love this like others have. I enjoyed most of the story but Heather's part just really felt like a waste to me.”“Faith said: 3 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Friday, October 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Hey Nostradamus! is narrated by 4 different characters. It starts out from the perspective of Cheryl Amway who, pregnant and secretly married to Jason, is killed in a Columbine-like school massacre in 1988. Cheryl tells us of her life leading up to and during the killings. A very intriguing story where you yearn to learn more of Cheryl and Jason . The next Narrator turns out to be Jason himself 10 years after the school massacre and the story just keeps getting better. Jason discusses his life pretty much before, during and after the killings into his current life. This is where I am really interested in the book and think that this piece of work is absolutely incredible. I fully expected that Coupland would explore the killers and the killed and dive deeper into this world but he doesn't and I am happy about that. Coupland takes things away from this aspect and into the individual worlds of Cheryl and Jason and the people they knew, were affected by and loved which makes this book more about the people and less about the events.
Just when I really start to enjoy the story, it switches to the voice of Heather who is now Jason's girlfriend, several years after Jason's story completes. Heather fills us in on the years in between and I started to get bored with her story and her and Jason's relationship. The final voice is of Jason's father Reg. I think that this was an important voice to hear since much of Jason's life was controlled by his relationship with his father. But still I was losing interest. By the end of the book I honestly just couldn't wait for it to be over. The first half of the book I'd rate a 4/5, the second half a 2/5.. which is why I rated it a 3/5. Im a little disappointed that I didn't love this like others have. I enjoyed most of the story but Heather's part just really felt like a waste to me.
Sara W said: 5 stars
In Hey Nostradamus! Coupland tells the story of a Columbine like event that take places in an East Vancouver High School and the impact it had on those involved. Told from the point of view of four different characters, Cheryl who was the last of the students killed, Jason her boyfriend, Heather who met Jason over ten years later, and Jason's father Reg. Each person has their own part to tell, but the book clearly centered around Jason and his inability to really move past Cheryl and the tragic events of that day.
I picked this book up at the library on a whim while browsing the stacks. The name grabbed my attention. I am very glad I gave it a chance. The book is heartbreakingly beautiful. Very rarely will I cry while reading a book, but I found myself wiping away tears several times over the 244 pages. Coupland has a rare ability to tell a story that should be depressing but instead manages to make it so much more. As a matter of course I rarely reread a book, but I may make an exception in the case of Hey Nostradamus! as I think it will be one of those books where you're constantly finding something new hidden in it's pages.
”
“In Hey Nostradamus! Coupland tells the story of a Columbine like event that take places in an East Vancouver High School and the impact it had on those involved. Told from the point of view of four different characters, Cheryl who was the last of the students killed, Jason her boyfriend, Heather who met Jason over ten years later, and Jason's father Reg. Each person has their own part to tell, but the book clearly centered around Jason and his inability to really move past Cheryl and the tragic events of that day.
Sara W wrote this review Saturday, September 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I picked this book up at the library on a whim while browsing the stacks. The name grabbed my attention. I am very glad I gave it a chance. The book is heartbreakingly beautiful. Very rarely will I cry while reading a book, but I found myself wiping away tears several times over the 244 pages. Coupland has a rare ability to tell a story that should be depressing but instead manages to make it so much more. As a matter of course I rarely reread a book, but I may make an exception in the case of Hey Nostradamus! as I think it will be one of those books where you're constantly finfing somethin new hidden in it's pages.”“one of his best”
Andrew B wrote this review Saturday, September 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“excellent commentary on messed up lives”
Daryl S wrote this review Saturday, August 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Post-Columbine fiction? It was ok--more serious than his other books..”
Christine E wrote this review Saturday, August 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“interesting only to read because of the local setting. the ending blows.”
Kiersten B wrote this review Saturday, August 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Heartachingly sad. So sad I can't figure out if I liked it or not.”
Rita Cruz-Emeterio wrote this review Monday, July 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book was somewhat of a take on "Columbine", through the point of view of a pregnant and secretly married young teenager who is shot and killed in the cafeteria, the guy she was secretly married to, parents, and a few other people. Though it took place in "Canada" it was supposed to be based on Columbine. I really enjoyed this book because it gave you all the different perspectives as to how everybody deals with catostrophic events like that. ”
Danielle Pomeranz wrote this review Saturday, June 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
