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They Both Die at the End
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They Both Die at the End (September 2020)
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I'm on hold for this at the library. I've been dancing around reading it for years. I think Adam Silvera is a brilliant writer, I'm just one of those people who gets bummed by sad endings and (I'm assuming the title serves as a spoiler) I'm thinking this may not be a cheery one at the end. But as it's a group read, I'm taking the plunge!
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I have this book on hold at the library too! I am the exact same way. I don't like unhappy/sad endings.
I just finished reading this not too long ago. Overall, I quite liked it. I loved the way the author makes knowing the ending not a negative aspect of the book. In some ways you might expect that to lessen the reading experience, but just like knowing our own mortality, I think it made the characters and their interactions meaningful. Some spoilers ahead: I liked how the relationship between Rufus and Mateo slowly developed, and how they began to trust each other more and more. It did seem a little bit too quick to love for me, given that it happens in less than 24 hours, but I'm willing to chalk that up to facing your own mortality and the weirdness that ensues.
Probably my biggest issue with the book was that the characters, for all the transformation we get to see, still felt somewhat static -- their entire being was defined by their actions and the plot. Usually I am more plot-oriented, but I found myself wondering what made the characters compelling; if it weren't for the plot, I'm not sure I would have cared. The author managed to pack a lot into the timeframe of the story, but it felt like the background of the characters was a bit weak; and similarly some of the side characters felt meaningless except for their small roles in the plot.
Aside from that though, I loved how the book forces the reader to go on this existential journey with the characters, and truly face your own mortality.
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I've not gotten it from the library yet. I may be behind, but will join the discussion when I can!
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Can't wait for you to join :)
Hoopla is great, but not compatible with Kindle e readers.
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My biggest question for everyone... would you want to be aware of your last day on earth?
Late to the party I know, but started this today and really have gotten drawn into the story
Mariah Roze wrote: "Just finished this yesterday! Very heartbreaking story! My biggest question for everyone... would you want to be aware of your last day on earth?"
I am pretty ambivalent about it. The most important aspect of this question is probably... would knowing you are going to die, whether today or tomorrow or 10 years from now, change your actions? Would I be any more adventurous, courageous, or act differently than I normally would? In that respect, I think I'd be more of a Mateo from the first part of the book... probably doing my ordinary routine and going about my life. Knowing I'm going to die at the end of the day won't change my desire to have a good meal or read a bit of a book (the anxiety about never getting to finish certain books will definitely plague me, regardless of whether I'm dying today or not).
My own philosophy is that being cognizant of your death, no matter your age or health, is a good thing. Death isn't something to be feared; it's a process that you've been undergoing for as long you live. After my death, my non-existent self won't have any worries about all the books I've never finished or never read, or not being able to say goodbye to all the people I love. The thing about death is that it is universal -- even the people I love the most will die someday, and that is maybe a hard pill to swallow, but everyone must swallow it eventually.
I really enjoyed this. I loved the interweaving of different peoples' stories into Rufus and Mateo's.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera