The Measure

⭐⭐⭐⭐.75

I genuinely enjoyed this book. At first, I wasn’t too sure about it, so I decided to try the audiobook. But with so many shifting points of view, I found it really hard to keep up. I didn’t know who everyone was, and because of that, I struggled to care about the characters. Since this was a book club pick, I knew it was important to fully understand the characters and their relationships. So, I made the choice to start over and read the physical book, and honestly, that was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. Seeing the names on the page and knowing when chapters ended helped me connect with each character and better understand their situations.

The characters were absolutely fantastic. Each one brought a unique perspective to what was happening, and their reactions and insights felt so real. Every time the story shifted to a new point of view, I found myself completely engaged, wanting to get back to their storyline. This is a very character-driven novel, and I truly appreciate how much time the author spent developing them. You grow to love each of them, flaws and all—which only makes them feel more real and human.

As for the plot, it’s not fast-paced or full of big twists. There is an overarching situation the characters are navigating, but it’s not the kind of book where “the plot thickens” every few chapters. Instead, it feels like you’re witnessing a powerful moment in time, watching how these characters deal with something life-altering. That doesn’t mean it’s lacking a story. Some books are plot-heavy, others are driven by characters, and this one definitely falls into the latter. And it works beautifully.

I also loved the theme of the novel, especially what the string represents and how it weaves into everyone’s lives. Whether you choose to look at your string or not, the actions that follow are deeply meaningful. The book touches on some political themes as well, but in a way that felt authentic. Let’s be real, if something like this happened in real life, it absolutely would be politicized. The author doesn’t push an agenda. She presents different viewpoints in a way that feels fair and nuanced, letting readers see the humanity in each perspective. I wish more real-world conversations were handled with the same care.

The emotional impact of this book really caught me off guard. There were moments that hit especially hard, particularly as a parent and just as a human being. If I think too long about certain scenes, I could definitely cry. The emotional weight is real and lasting.

Overall, I’d say my enjoyment of this book was very high. It felt like a page-turner, but also had the slow, simmering quality of a character study. I know that sounds contradictory, but it somehow managed both. Toward the end, the pacing picks up, and you just have to finish. I’ll remember this book for a long time, maybe even as long as my string allows.