The Illumination Audiobook

" I enjoyed The Brief History of the Dead very much although it did lag towards the end. So, I was intrigued by this new title by the same author. It's an interesting concept, that people's injuries and pain begin to glow with light and can be perceived by everyone. There are five or six separate stories of individuals whose only connection is that a diary of love notes passes through each of their hands at some point. I was expecting some overall connection or wrapping up, some message, but as the book went on it seemed less and less likely that it was heading anywhere and my reading became less focused. As another reviewer said, it became boring and confusing. The author has a way with words, and I never considered giving up on the book but ultimately it was a disappointment and perhaps in retrospect I should have quit reading. "

" While beautifully written and beautifully imagined, I felt The Illumination lacked story and character development. It seemed a series of short stories around a central premise rather than a cohesive novel. I generally like novels that switch between the perspectives of multiple characters; however, the level of depth we are treated to in the characters lives in The Illumination never passes the surface level. Few of these characters change throughout their sections; I don't believe any change for the better. We are left with in the same sort of resolution-less apathy common in short stories. That coupled with forgettable characters who lack drive, heart, and resolution doesn't leave me with the kind of feeling I like to get from reading novels. I like to get to know characters better, live their lives through them. This is more a criticism of contemporary fiction than of Kevin Brockmeier in particular, but I don't care much to read the lives of damaged, sad individuals with nothing to lose and nothing to gain. We always have something to gain. "

" This had potential but failed to meet my expectations. I was hoping for a book of insight and it just did not cut the mustard for me. "

" gorgeous writing, very inventive and only made it half way through - I just didn't care enough about the characters, it all felt a bit too post modern New Yorker magazine for my taste. Call me old fashioned. My friend Mary loved this book - maybe I will return to it. "

" Three stars for the beginning...twas great! But the whole thing kinda feel apart, which was a bit sad. Love the idea, though. "

" Very interesting book around six different characters. I didn't love all of the characters but some were very interesting. The concept of the book is interesting as well... a world where people's pain is illuminated by a light that radiates from the pain. "

" Not exactly the "feel good" read of the year, but very well written and an interesting look at physical and emotional pain. "

" The beginning was engaging, and then the Ryan Shifrin chapter killed the momentum. Once I slogged through that chapter things got interesting again until the novel just...ended. Great premise, but not completely satisfying. "

" This book intrigue me at the start but I slowly lost my interest. That doesn't mean that this book wasn't beautiful, as it was, but it seemed to lose the the direction of the story. I'd give it a 3.5 if it were an option. "

" Yes, this book has its faults. But, yes, I loved it anyway. I think it might even be more of a compliment to this book that I was willing to overlook its flaws and still enjoy it so very much. "

" A beautiful story about compassion "

" It was okay. I was intrigued by the way any injury or pain glowed visibly to all. As I have chronic pain, I was drawn in by the idea. It could have been much better. "

" I still love his writing style, although this one starts stronger than it ends. Interesting concept with pain and light. "

" I was wrong earlier, there are six sections. I liked some better than others, but the wonderful writing carried me through. "

" I love the way he writes and the unusual way he tells stories, but this one was a bit hard to follow and had a less than satisfying resolution. "

" Second novel in a row that didn't grab me at all despite favorable recommendations from others. "

" This is a really interesting concept for a book and well written. It is more like connected short stories than a novel (there is not over-arching narrative). "

" Three stars for the first handful of chapters. I'm with everyone else who said the shtick lost steam by the middle of the book, if not slightly before. "

" Unsettling and deeply satisfying at the same time "

" Another incredible book from Kevin Brockmeier. I'm looking forward to reading absolutely everything he's ever written now. "

" The writing was great and the idea was creative if not a little dark, but disappointing end. "

" I love Kevin Brickmeier. His books remind me of Alice Hoffman and Stephen King. This book is a set of interlinked stories concerning a book of love letters. A really great read. "

" Another incredible book from Kevin Brockmeier. I'm looking forward to reading absolutely everything he's ever written now. "

" it would have worked better as just a short story "

" good premise, doesn't follow through with a defined sense of completeness...feels flat at the end. "

" Unusual story--the book is somewhere between a series of six linked stories of different people, but they are held together by some common themes, and are all allegorcial to some degree--really interesting to read, and I would recommend it. "

" What starts out brilliantly with a great idea quickly descends into trite unoriginal stereotypes. Brockmeier manages to take an innovative story and grind it into the mundane. Just read the first section. Then it gets uninteresting. "

" This was a cool concept, but I think it would've been better as a short story. I got tired of the book after midway... "