Good points: I have done my best not to spoil this story in this review. This novel reminds me of a combination of the Lake house with the Griffin and Sabine trilogy (and if you haven't read this story you really should) told by Tim Burton. I loved it. You feel as though you are invading some one's intimate life by seeing the pictures as they see them. To hold them in your hand invites you to join this mysterious world. I loved the creepy factor of this book. I found myself staring at random photographs wondering what secrets they contained. It makes it even better to know that the photographs are real. Good creepy novel
Odd points: the love story is a bit on the "peculiar" side itself. Not sure I can relate to it but if the two of them are happy then there are weirder things in the world (it will make sense if you've read the book). I think it raises the question: Is immortality worth it at the cost of freedom?
Main plot: Jacob experiences his loss of innocence as he heads into the great unknown of this world, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. His father descends into depression while his mother reclaims her own life. It is sad but relatable for most people growing into adulthood.
In many ways it holds the modernist/post modernists views expressed in the "before" and the "after." The apocalypse looms over their world for one reason or another in every turn. This is possibly the only book I know of that expresses both modernists and post modernists values in one sweep. It is continuous fear to live in this "loop" but once you leave the safety you head out into an equally dangerous world. The fear of the bomb plagues one world, while the other (or the same but in a different time) deals with the destruction of the bomb.
I know a lot of reviews didn't like how the end turned out, but I found it was really the only course of action that would continue the story. I can't wait to read the sequel!
