An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes by Randy Ribay Published by Merit Press on October 16th 2015
Pages: 240
Format:Hardcover
As their senior year approaches, four diverse friends joined by their weekly Dungeons & Dragons game struggle to figure out real life. Archie's trying to cope with the lingering effects of his parents' divorce, Mari's considering an opportunity to contact her biological mother, Dante's working up the courage to come out to his friends, and Sam's clinging to a failing relationship. The four eventually embark on a cross-country road trip in an attempt to solve--or to avoid--their problems.
Told in the narrative style of Akira Kurosawa's RASHOMAN, AN INFINITE NUMBER OF PARALLEL UNIVERSES is at turns geeky, funny, and lyrical as it tells a story about that time in life when friends need each other to become more than just people that hang out.
An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes had quite a bit going for it. First, when it came in the mail, it was shiny. Pictures don’t really do it justice, if you like a pretty cover, this is a nice one to own. Just saying. Like, you can’t tell from the cover picture, but the stars shine. And who doesn’t like that?
You can kind of see it here.
Anyway, moving on to more substantial book information, yes? So, I really did enjoy this book. It is fun, a nicely paced quick read, and it has characters that feel incredibly real. Let us talk about all the good things first, as usual!
- The aforementioned complex and realistic characters were a breath of fresh air. These kids were basically dorks. They did some really ridiculous, sometimes downright dumb things from time to time. And sometimes they did awesome things. Just like everyone else. See, that was the beauty of this book- each character felt like a legitimate dorky teenager who had problems, was wrapped up in their own lives and their own heads, but ultimately were there for their friends too.
- They were also incredibly diverse, without it feeling forced. Sometimes a motley group can feel a bit “staged”, but this was done to perfection. These kids are from different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, orientations, and it works, because they have stuff in common. There were times that they didn’t all treat each others’ diversity with kindness, and they had to learn and grow along the way. And you know what? That might have been the most realistic and powerful part of the book.
- Road trips make me happy, and this book has a pretty epic one. So, the book begins with each character’s personal POV, and then we get the whole gang together for the second half in a Paper Towns-esque road trip, sans Manic Pixie Dreamgirl (thank goodness). The trip is good though, because it forces the characters to actually open up and talk about their lives instead of hiding behind the pretend world they’ve created in D&D.
And the downsides? They were minor, but they existed.
- A few things toward the end seemed a little unrealistic. (Well, one thing was a lot unrealistic, and I may have done some eye rolling.) The thing is, I think the book could have been fine without these things, which is why I am considering it a negative. I know this is all vague, but when you’re talking about junk that happens later in the book, you must be.
And one thing that is just… a thing: I didn’t feel super connected to any one character, which I think fit with this book. I don’t think I was supposed to, it seemed. It was more of an unbiased glimpse into the lives of each of the characters, and I liked the way it was handled.
Bottom Line: This book is character driven for sure, and I loved the journey the characters took, both the physical and the emotional. While it may not have left a deep impact, it was absolutely enjoyable and carried some lovely messages about friendship, love, life, and growing up.
I remember reading another review saying she was not able to connect with the characters that much as well.. really sad thing. I haven’t read a road-trip book so I’m really interested to try one. I like how there’s diversity and how it was nicely done.. but being connected to the characters is really important for me..
I do agree. I mean, I guess it is just that there are quite a few of them, BUT they are all really well developed. It’s a quick read though, so it could be worth it!
I’m glad you finally enjoyed it most of all 🙂 And yes, that cover is pretty !
Thanks so much 😀
ROADTRIP BOOKS. There seem to be a crazy number of roadtrip books appearing these days. Wonder if that’ll be the new dead genre sometime. *shrugs* And CLEARLY THE COVER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. Pffft. But seriously the diversity does sound like it’s handled wonderfully and multi POVs are my fav.
I LOVE me some roadtrips. I think it CAN be overdone, but I liked it in this case!! I think the diversity was handled so, so well. It’s worth it just for that!
Shiny covers are always a bonus. 🙂 Sorry you didn’t connect to the characters more, but it sounds like this book had a lot of other things going for it!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Oh it did for sure! I would recommend it, it was a fast read, and definitely worth it!
I find that characters are often what make or break a book for me. So, I can’t decide based on your review if this one would be worth it or not. I’ll have to put it on the maybe list. Great review!
The characters were well developed, if that helps. It’s just hard with only a little over 200 pages, and four main characters, you know? But I definitely felt like I had a good sense of who they all were, even if from a bit of a distance, if that makes sense? (I hope it does hahah)
Great, Shannon, just great. My neighbors already hate me, AND I just spent thirty bucks on books for university and now I have to order another one. I hope you’re proud of yourself.
To the road trip question YES YES YES YES. I basically have to stop myself from going on a spontaneous road trip every single day of my life. I LOVE reading about road trips; it was my favorite part of Paper Towns.
BWHAHAH. Sorry. Fine, I am not actually sorry. BOOOOKS.
I feel like you and I may be sisters or something, because I am the same exact way about road trips. Plus, every time you post a video, I think “wow, Vlora just ‘gets me'” So, we shouldn’t be on different continents, is what I am saying. But that would be more like a sea trip, or an air trip so… 😉
This sounds absolutely wonderful Shannon! I love the idea of such a complex and diverse book. It’s a shame it was a bit unrealistic at times, but I think if everything else is amazing I’ll be able to deal with that. 😉 Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
Aw thanks! There was just this bit toward the end (I almost wish I had put it in spoiler tags, but it was like, a HUGE spoiler) and it just was not something that would happen ever. BUT it was really only this ONE scene. Everything else was pretty solid.
Oooo I love the sound of the premise, I love a motley gang done right and also families that you find for yourself type thing. After reading Fangirl I’ve been wanting more of the whole awkward teenager thing! Plus, YAY for diversity!! I’ll be looking into this!
Aww I hope you like it if you read it! It was DEFINITELY an “awkward teenager” book, no question!
I absolutely loved this book! It was such a heartwarming novel about friendship…YA needs more of those! There was so much diversity in this book and it made for one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I actually just finished writing my review for this one, scheduled to go up tomorrow!
As for the road trip question, yes! I would be all for it!
Aw I am SO glad that you loved it! And seriously, road trips are FABULOUS. Everyone should take one at some point in life!
I’ve totally missed this book, it sounds like it might be worth a read and that cover is sweet!
I hope you love it if you do read it 😀
aww realistic characters can be fun, never heard of this one, will have to add to pile
Aw yay, I hope you enjoy!
I would love to go on a road trip someday, which is a mini dream of mine. When I go to America, that is something that I would really want to do. I like the sound of this one and how it is so diverse when it comes to the characters, but being disconnected is a pretty big problem of mine. Especially as I am a character driven reader!
Dorks (my people!), roadtrips…Gah, this sounds sooooo cute! Too bad the ending sounded underwhelming, but I might give this book a try as a break in between the dark and twisted reads that are my usual fare.