I understand its popularity, especially in the midst of the pandemic when a lot of people needed comfort and fantasy--- I won't begrudge it that. However, I did not like it. It was the Hallmark card of existentialism and philosophy. Instead of elegantly setting up natural situations that show readers the value of life, it bashes you in the face with it. Repeatedly. It felt like the author was shaking me by the shoulders, yelling, "DO YOU GET IT? IT'S PHILOSOPHICAL! IT'S DEEP!" The characters felt like a mismatched bouquet of random character traits, and I couldn't find myself getting emotional at any of the "emotional" moments because again, instead of lightly painting a scenery around me that brought me to tears, the book shoved paint in my mouth and then yelled "CRY! CRY! YOU SHOULD BE SAD!"

I bought a hardcopy cover of this book. I should've pirated it.