Not really. Felt pointless.

Given more depth to the characters. Just all felt meaningless. Maybe that was what the author was going for.

No

I heard it may be an HBO series, why I read it. Hope that story will be better.

This is the story of the people left behind after mysterious event causes the disappearance of a zillion people. How do they move on? What happens next? How do they adapt to the new normal?

Frankly, “The Event” (referred to as The Rapture) could have been anything; people suddenly vanishing, a natural disaster, or even a 9/11 type catastrophe – it was just footnote. There was no story line that examined the how or why of what happened and this disappointed me; it would have been interesting.

The sheer ordinariness of the people’s new lives in their new reality made me lose track of the story and although I was interested while I was paying attention, I still found that I was tuning out a lot. In fact, I once forgot to book mark my place and I am not sure if I picked it up where I left off… but didn’t really notice a gap.

Life goes on - great life lesson but not so compelling for a novel. Perhaps I missed the point but the whole story seemed “too ordinary”. I felt like the book just showed me snippets of lives, vignettes of how people are dealing and left me with too many loose ends to really feel satisfied.

This just wasn't for me. I was hoping for a fresh take on the Rapture and not a heavy-handed religious brow-beating. It's not that. It's a fresh take on the Rapture from the perspectives of those who live through it. But here's the thing, if you remove the Rapture plot, and put in a shooting, or a flood, or a tornado, it's the same thing. The Rapture isn't the point. Loss is. We've all lost things. Our favorite toy, a loved one, a boyfriend/girlfriend. We've all had to cope with that loss. And that coping isn't entertaining. It's necessary, but it isn't fun to live through. Now if I told you a room full of strangers you just met (not spoken to, just viewed through one-way glass) had all just experienced loss and that it was your job to watch them deal with it and write it all down, then you would have this book. It's a "day in the life" of people who lost something and can't figure out why and need to cope with it as best they can with limited tools. If you are a fan of reality television shows like Intervention and Hoarders, then this might be what you want. If you are looking for escapism, a thought-provoking take on a religious calamity, or to be entertained, I couldn't recommend this book less.

Yes! There were a lot of characters and story lines and at times it was difficult to keep them all in line.

Oddly enough, I liked all the storylines and the way they all were linked together.

There were a lot of good scenes

It did neither but it did make me think what I would be like if this scenario happened to me.

It was a good book and I would recommend it to others.

I loved the deceptive simplicity of the story. So simple and so layered and complex at the same time. Great narration, kept the rhythm and cadence of the superb writing.

yes

did not have a favorite

first time

neither

I liked the book. It kept my attention until the end when I felt as though the author had gotten tired of writing and just ended, kind of taking the easy way out. The ending left me feeling like a leftover.

Did not enjoy. A disjointed story about the human condition. Too many characters and storylines that are left open-ended.

Great story, just did not like how the book ended leaving u hanging as far as what will become of the books characters.

It feels like it was unfinished, it has no real ending and doesn't fully develop some characters story lines.

I first watched this series on HBO then i read the book. This is one time the book is completely different but in a good way. Kevin isn't the mayor in the series and there is no talk of his dad or his mysterious dog killing friend. Holy Wayne in the series is a prophet or angel type leader. Jon who is Kevins son is following Wayne and taking care of his girlfriend. She is carrying the baby of Holy Wayne which Nore Durst finds in the end. Who is this baby? His wife and daughter has a lot of problems. One lives with the cult group The Guilty Remnant and the other could join!! Overall a good story about where a fourth of the world just disappeared. Is it the rapture or aliens ? I guess book two will explain a lot more because there is a whole lot more to tell about this crazy town called Mapleton. Maybe book two can tell us more? The HBO series is better than the book and you don't hear me ever say that much because the book usually is always better!!!