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Friday, June 6, 2008

Post-Readum Depression/The Host book review



I've decided there's a disease called Post-Readum Depression, related to Post-Partum Depression. This disease occurs after one finishes a very well written book that makes the person feel like they're part of the story and that they're friends with the people in the story. I, myself, have been subject to this disease many times. After finishing a good book I always feel like I've lost my best friend. It's really depressing to finish a book, or especially a series, and realize that there's no more. That's all there is. Sure you can read it again, but it will no longer be a surprise to you. Ever again. Throughout the reading of a book the characters become so real to you that it is a shock to your mental processes to finish the book and remember that they're not real.
The thing that brought this disease to my attention was finishing the book The Host. It was excellent. Yes, Sean (by the way, if you're reading this, I had a really good time. Next time I'll bring my camera), I think I actually really liked it. There were a few parts of the book that were a little hard to follow, just because the plot was so odd, but for the most part I'd classify it as an I-couldn't-put-it-down book. I want to tell you about the plot, but not give away any spoilers, so I'll just write what's on the flap-thing. Well, maybe I'll try to start myself: It's about this girl named Melanie whose body gets taken over by a soul named Wanderer (Wanda for short). You see, the world was invaded by "souls" that need a host body to do anything, so they are "inserted" into human bodies, hence the name "The Host." Only problem is, when a soul in inserted the human mind is supposed to disappear, but Melanie didn't. She puts up a fight to control and maintain her body. Now I'll do the inside flap: Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed. When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves--Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love. The end.
One thing I appreciated about this book was that she didn't really drag on any parts for an unnecessary amount of time (although a certain someone would disagree with me). By the time I start to get annoyed she moved on to something new. One complaint I have about the book is the ending. It seems like she wrote the ending, then decided to add another part. It just doesn't fit very well. It's kind of random.
Anyway, I suggest this book to all avid readers who want a unique story. It's a good one, for sure.

1 comments:

Brittany said...

Thanks for the review. I totally agree about post-readum depression. I think the Harry Potter Series affected much of the world with this disease.
Love ya!