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Holding Up the Universe
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie, Robbie Daymond
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Teen & Young Adult, Literature & Fiction
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What listeners say about Holding Up the Universe
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Glenis
- 05-01-17
Wonderfully written
I was a little apprehensive about reading this book because I'd seen quite a few bad reviews however I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a rather moving story.
the characters were engaging and unique (how many characters have you read about having prosopagnosia?)
I would recommend you give it a go.
2 people found this helpful
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- Mullika
- 22-11-16
Highly recommend!
I heard mixed reviews so I read it unsure what to expect but it was an excellent read! Highly recommend it
2 people found this helpful
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- lyeira
- 02-11-16
amazing
it was amazing and i just wish it went on longer i was in love with the story
2 people found this helpful
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- HANNAH SHAKESHAFT
- 31-03-22
You are wanted - loved holding up the universe
I loved this book, so easy to listen to, heartwrenching but at the same time feelgood. I laughed and cried at times, so many important messages in a great little story. I loved the characters and quite honestly will always wonder how they're doing I feel I know them. I guess we are them in ways.
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- Abbie Gill
- 26-01-22
LOVE THIS BOOK!
This book makes me feel so happy and warm love it! Definitely recommend to anyone
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- Serena
- 18-01-22
Cute teenage love
Cute and stunning story about a fat girl and boy with special needs falling in love. Well written, little bit predictable, but still adorable.
Perfect for teenagers (although I’m 27 and still reasonably liked it)
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- Ana Lynch
- 02-05-21
Enjoyed the story but the book kept skipping
Had to return in the end. I've never had a problem with any other audible book like this. It kept skipping and missing bits out
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- Amazon Customer
- 14-08-20
Surprisingly real
I didn't know what I was going to make of this one, but it was good. It was gritty, and real. The characters are complex, and three dimensional, and the little details make it. The relationship Jack has with his younger brother, Dusty, is one of my favourite things.
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- Jen Stevens
- 05-05-20
Just gorgeous.
Loved it. It took me a few days because it was my bedtime book of choice and I kept snoozing, but it's a beautiful story, well narrated.. A proper heart warmer.
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- Anonymous User
- 11-11-19
Holding up the universe
My first impression was that the female narrator was to cherry and a little bit squeaky but as it went on it was fine and I actually think it suits the character well. Overall it was very enjoyable and easy going although at times I felt like it needed a little more excitement, I love the way Jennifer Niven always has unique characters never have I ever come across a book with a character who has face blindness it definitely shines a light onto the challenges that come with the disorder, also the way that Libby Strout was overweight and how Jack always had to search deeper into someone and how he doesn’t obviously judge a book by the cover as he can’t. Overall I love the characters and book just felt like it was a bit slow at times.
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- Sophie Beever
- 01-04-17
Decent Story
It wasn't horrible, certainly, but I guess I was just expecting more. I knew the ending before the halfway point and the closer it got to the ending the more I felt the author just rushed to finish. The relationship between the main characters felt inauthentic at times, and it took some time to warm up to Jorjeana Marie's (voice of Libby) speech style and cadence. All in all it's a decent read if you're used to Jennifer's writing style and want a simple teen "love story". Definitely won't make my reread list, though.
3 people found this helpful
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- Doha
- 10-12-16
Interesting Concept .. annoying story
I was so interesting to pick this up as it got so much hype across all bookish platform, and I heard a lot of praise about the writing style and the premise was so intriguing .. I never read a book from an over weight person view .. but sadly I was hugely disappointed as the story was so boring .. nothing was really happening and the short chapters made it such an uncomfortable ride for me with this book
I liked Libby's character .. she one of the best protagonists I've read in a while, but I didn't like Jack as much, I feel a little let down but I don't regret reading the book
3 people found this helpful
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- FanB14
- 13-11-16
We Need Diverse Books
Niven follows the movement and offers an obese heroine and a hero with prosopagnosia. In the world of YA, her writing style is engaging as was this book. Her first, All the Bright Places, was amazing. This one is interesting, but lacks the connection between the two main characters. They just started liking each other after a rather traumatizing beginning and I never understood why. Seemed a little forced.
7 people found this helpful
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- ClassDreamer'84
- 12-01-17
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS - YOUNG AND OLD
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Definitely!!! Because Libby wants to change the world, and everyone should know the reason why.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Holding Up the Universe?
All of them! All of the moments in this book are so big, that it's impossible to choose just one as most memorable.
Which scene was your favorite?
The end scene. But also, I was proud of Libby in her purple bikini scenes.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Oh yes. It made my heart happy, it made it sad, but mostly it made me happy to be alive, and I hope Ms. Niven's message is shouted throughout the universe. It is THAT remarkable.
Any additional comments?
This book should NOT go unread, and I think every high school should have it on their To Be Read by ALL students list.
1 person found this helpful
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- Julie
- 12-01-17
You are wanted
We should all write that on ourselves. This is a story of a teenage girl who already knows who she is, a rarity in teens, and how others see her. It's also about a boy who can't see faces and how he realizes that he can see the girl. Powerful and smart story. Thankful that the fat girl doesn't need to lose weight to be better, those stories suck. Fabulous readers.
1 person found this helpful
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- Geri Caponigro
- 26-03-22
Good J. Nlven story .
the story was very enjoyable except for the foul language. I know that's how kids talk today but I'm uncomfortable heart it
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- Anonymous User
- 26-02-22
Great plus size representation
I loved this book. The characters are so well rounded. They seem like real people who I can actually relate to. Beautifully written and the performance by the voice actors was spot on. I just wish the ending gave a little more closure. Would definitely read again.
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- Sienna Flanders
- 07-10-21
Good idea, not good book.
You know what’s going to happened half an hour into the book and it’s just very cliche. A few quotes from the main character are “what will my story be” and “I’m just quirky and different” very clingy.
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- R. Matthews
- 21-07-21
Good story
Story did start to drag on a little and could have been shortened somewhat.
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- Courtney
- 15-07-21
A shallow exploration of characters with potential
To preface, I am a fat person.
If you like fluff without much substance, I think you'll like this book.
I had high expectations for this book. I was excited for the premise. I was excited to read a story about a young girl who doesn't fit into society's standards of beauty, who was traumatized by public exposure and shaming while she was at her lowest, and finding love and self-acceptance regardless. But that girl doesn't exist.
Our main character Libby's positivity is so forced. Right from the get-go she is self-assured. Sometimes she brings up how bad her past was. Sometimes she reacts poorly in scenarios where any average person would be embarrassed or uncomfortable. There is hardly any of the "fat experience" in this book. Six hours in and not a single relatable moment from the main character. Her fatness isn't part of her character at all, and that's not a positive thing. Fat people's fatness is a part of who they are. A character like Libby should struggle and overcome in this book. Her characterization is a flat line.
Our other main, Jack, of course falls for Libby. (Conceptually it's already a little icky that the only person who seems to be attracted to Libby is one that can't recognize faces. Seems a little backwards for a book that is supposed to be empowering.) But there's no build up. There's no insight into how he feels about her body. Is he attracted to her? Is he disgusted by her physically at first but learns that this part of her isn't important? Who knows? He just goes from someone who is aware of her, then suddenly finds himself wanting to kiss her. That's it.
I tried to be very patient with this book but I opted for a refund after trudging through most of it. This is not an empowering love story. This is fake fat-positivity at its finest.