How to tell Toledo from the night sky

How to tell Toledo from the night sky

2014 • 339 pages

Ratings3

Average rating4.7

15

This book right here... well it's probably the weirdest book I've ever read. I spent the entire book trying to figure out if it was bad weird or good weird. I'm still torn... But it was intriguing, which is why I couldn't not finish it. Real review to come.

REAL REVIEW:
How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky is the story of Irene and George, two astronomists with completely different outlooks on life. George is a dreamer – far more than you would ever think a scientist would be – and a lover, and I mean sleazy, womanizer sleeps-with-his-students type lover because he's searching for the girl that he “used to dream about but can't quite remember”. Irene is an anti-lover and doesn't believe that love even truly exists. She ran away from her drunk mother to pursue her dream of discovering the make-up of a black hole and therefore creating a black hole to revolutionize science. The only outlet she has in life is lucid dreaming where she can visit with the sober version of her mother.

Sound weird? My first thought about 5 pages in was “WHOA”. Here's what I expected based on the book summary: a Rosie Project type story with some smart people romance and a different twist because their parents organized the entire thing. What is not mentioned in the book summary is that there is also some pretty deep philosophical details involving gods (somewhat Greek but more modern), destiny, soul twins, and other astrology related things. The story switches between Irene's mom - Bernice, George's mom – Sally, Irene, and George's points-of-view to explain the set-up and key events from George and Irene's childhoods. There are also lengthy philosophical breakdowns about the stars and destiny. I kept reading through the end of the book still trying to figure out if it is good weird or bad weird... and I finally decided – GOOD weird.

The plot, even with all the philosophical speak, is still pretty fast moving. It starts with Irene and George meeting as adults and then goes back from there to learn the details of their set up. There is a lot of adventure with George – he's a very spontaneous and carefree man, and a lot of brooding from Irene. The love story is a bit cheesy, but this is still a good quirky read. This book is honestly the weirdest book that I have ever read.. it is unlike any other. Was it lacking in some areas? Yes. Good or bad? At the end of the day, I end up choosing good because the philosophical aspects make you think. I hear that's good for you!!

June 27, 2014