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WartimeHotTot t1_j4eyfu9 wrote

It’s crazy to me how many people in this subreddit go absolutely gaga for this book. To me, it was perfectly fine, but utterly forgettable. Just a silly little story about a guy and a silly little spider creature. But every week someone posts about how it was a life-changing book.

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jefrye t1_j4eztze wrote

I'm with you. Entertaining enough, but badly written and way too long.

I saw someone mention that it's a book that feels very specifically Reddit-y in its humor, and I think that largely explains the popularity here. To boot, it's a very easy read with absolutely nothing going on below the surface (ie, it's very straightforward when it comes to the main character's emotions, which are not especially complex). And, of course, there's the fact that it fulfills the perfect fantasy of the main character >!saving the entire world and then making a huge selfless "sacrifice"—which is actually anything but—to also save his friend!<.

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Not_l0st OP t1_j4f2ote wrote

It's an absolute binge read. It's a compelling story with a lot of discoveries and exciting moments. There are many parts of the book that are absurd and can't possibly work, but the entire premise is absurd so I rolled with it and enjoyed the book for what it is. I found myself very attached to both Rocky and Grace as a result. It wasn't life changing, but as an optimist I always enjoy books where people work together to solve existential threats.

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loneacer t1_j4iqjqr wrote

I agree as well. As a general principle, I try to avoid most books that spend a long time near the top of Amazon's best seller list. I'm not the audience for those.

I don't remember much about the book. I read it about a year ago. I remember liking the first 50 pages or so, but once he met the alien creature it went downhill fast. It would be an entertaining children's book I guess.

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