Probably more of a 3.5 stars, but Isaac Dahl was a nice imaginary friend to hang out with, so let's go with 4.

What really caught my eye when I requested this book (oh yeah, thanks NetGalley for the ARC!) was the structure. I tend to love stories that tell the full life story of a fellow human being, but most of these books follow the natural rhythm of life. Stuff happens, stuff gets written down. Stuff does not happen, we're skipping ahead.

But instead of that, this book tells the story of just 12, well, stories, giving it more of a short story collection vibe than a novel. Some of them were super interesting (especially the first couple with the avalanche and the dust storms and the war), while others were... a little meh. And I guess that's truthful to how life actually is. You have exciting decades and then you have meh decades, and by following this format, you felt like you were actually reading about a real person. So kudos for that.

What I didn't particularly like was the characterization of Isaac, or well, the lack of it actually. Isaac lived to be 96 years old and we learnt so much about his life... but not about him? All I could tell you about Isaac is that he was nice, and smart, and loved his family. And absolutely nothing else.

All in all, the writing was nice (tho a little boring at times), the structure was intriguing and it delivered what it promised, and I learnt a lot about the 20th century (I had no clue about the Dust Bowl or the Bikini people before this book), but the overall book just felt a little flat.

Thank you to Bart Yates, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Where to begin... I think I enjoyed this book, though I don't think that this novel is quite as complex as I had expected from the description. The novel reads a bit like 12 connected vignettes about our protagonist's life as he is approaching his end. The book is no-doubt well-written, but I just wanted a bit more from this one.

It may not have been exactly what I anticipated, but I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up if the premise excites you. A solid 3.5 for me.

This book reads like the best historical fiction. It recounts 12 particular days in the life of one man, Isaac Dahl. Nearing death, he decides to write his memoir. Lucky for the reader, his life is an interesting one, which includes natural disasters and catastrophes, war, and coming out as a gay man. Recommended for readers who a good storyteller, fans of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, or The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
#TheVeryLongVeryStrangeLifeofIsaacDahl #NetGalley

The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl is a unique story. It’s short and describes in 12 chapters 12 days (or periods) in Isaac’s 96-year-long life. Each chapter is eight years apart from the former one.
 
The heart of this story is the (platonic) love triangle between Isaac, his twin sister Aggie, and his best friend Bo, but there are a lot of side characters, too (Elias and Danny being my favorites). I loved being in Isaac’s head while he aged, as a young boy, surviving an avalanche, as a young journalist in WWII, as a fourty-eight-year-old participating in the Civil Rights Movement, as an older gay man in the eighties when AIDS suddenly reared its head, and as a senior when his body became less cooperative but his mind still remained sharp.
 
Sometimes, I wanted to know more about what had happened, but on the other hand, those little snippets taken out of a long and satisfying life are what make this book so captivating. It’s a story to curl up on the couch and just read, sipping from your drink and smiling, and occasionally shedding a tear.
 
Thank you, Kensington Books and NetGalley, for allowing me to read this precious story early. I’ll definitely check out Bart Yates’ other work.

Bart Yates’ "The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl" is a poignant journey spanning nearly a century, unfolding through the eyes of its protagonist, Isaac Dahl. Set against the backdrop of significant historical events, Yates crafts a narrative that delves into the complexities of identity, love, and loss.

The strength of the book lies in its portrayal of Isaac's struggles as a gay man navigating a world rife with prejudice and fear. Yates skillfully captures the nuances of Isaac's journey, from the challenges of concealing his true self to the heartache of losing loved ones. Through Isaac's eyes, readers are transported to pivotal moments in American history, including the Dust Bowl, World War II, the civil rights movement, and the HIV crisis, each vividly depicted with palpable emotion.

Yates excels in creating atmosphere, immersing readers in the sights and sounds of each era. From the claustrophobic confines of a battleship to the tense streets of the segregated South, the author brings these settings to life with remarkable detail.

However, the book is not without its flaws. While the witty banter between characters initially adds depth to the narrative, it becomes repetitive and superficial over time, detracting from the richness of the characters. Additionally, the second half of the book lacks the same vibrancy as the first, resulting in a somewhat uneven pacing.

Furthermore, while Isaac's journey is compelling, there is a missed opportunity for deeper exploration of supporting characters and Isaac's own internal struggles regarding his sexuality. Certain key moments feel glossed over, leaving readers longing for a more profound understanding.

Overall, "The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl" is a captivating exploration of one man's journey through the tumult of the 20th century. Despite its flaws, Yates delivers a powerful narrative that resonates long after the final page.

Themes and triggers: Love, loss, LGBTQ struggles, aging, family, HIV, war, violence, racism, natural disasters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I give this book four out of five stars.

This book is an autobiography of Isaac Dahl, written at the suggestion of his sister Aggie to be about 12 distinct days of his life. It reads like a rambling narrative told by an aging man in a rocker, backtracking and winding to figure out where he is in the telling. In his narrative, what shines through the most is his love of his family, particularly his twin sister and his best friend, Bo.

The concept for the book intrigued me, but I wasn’t a fan of how it was executed. I found the chapters too short to really immerse myself in the scene. Each new chapter felt like a new book because there were brand new characters and a unique setting, and I had to re-orient myself each time. In addition, while this book is supposed to be about 12 unique days, much of the “days” were comprised of a period of a few days to round out the story, and a good proportion of the chapter was spent in flashbacks and explanations.

In the Author’s Note, Yates said “The odd love triangle of Isaac, Agnes, and Bo ended up being the heart of the novel” and I fully agree. While Isaac travelled as a journalist, his heart always remained with his sister and best friend, and their connection was sweet and soothing amidst all the chaos of the book.

I really enjoyed this! This is a historical fiction novel following the life of Isaac Dahl, a twin born in 1920s Utah. Each chapter flashes forwards 8 years (until the year 2014), and features a day in his life from that year.

I absolutely love any type of character study/slice of life story, so following Isaac and the rest of his family/friends through this novel was an absolute joy. I really got to know the characters and felt like I was a member of the family by the end. I laughed with them, cried with them, and survived 3 natural disasters with them! I also loved the diversity and rawness of our cast of characters. Definitely recommend for fans of historical fiction, or anyone who likes to be taken on a journey.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC :)

i really liked this book until chapter 6. truely, i was going to give it 4 stars, but it really went downhill from the halfway point. the racism in chapter 6, was so unexpeted, and i dont undertand why is was there. i also didnt really think his life was all that strange, i was expecting a wild ride, instead it was somewhat uneventful and regular. it was still well written, dont get me wrong it was interesting, with likeable characters.

The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl is such a treasure! It tells the story of Isaac Dahl from the time he was 8 years old until age 96. There are 12 chapters and the first one begins when Isaac is 8 years old. Each chapter jumps forward 8 years until we end with Isaac at age 96 in chapter 12.

Isaac's life was very strange, indeed. When we first meet Isaac in 1926, he, his twin sister, Aggie, and their best friend, Bo are 8 years old. Throughout Isaac's life, he survives an avalanche, the Dust Bowl. WWII, being gay at a time when it was illegal to be so, a tornado, and an earthquake. Other topics in the book include AIDS, cancer, love, children, divorce, tragedy, homophobia, and deaths. As bleak as this all sounds, it really is an enjoyable book. The author does such a spectacular job telling the story thst you feel the same fears, anxiety, suffocation, anger, sorrow, and love as the characters . Isaac is an absolute gem, as are Aggie, Bo, Elias, and the rest of the family, each in their own unique way. This book showcases the themes of friendship, family, and love and will leave you wanting to read more of Isaac's very long, very strange life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wild one! I totally judged this book by its cover and it was nothing like I thought it would be but in a good way. This book follows Issac Dahl’s life journey over his long life of 96 years. Themes include love, loss, family and perseverance. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Isaac Dahl truly has led a very long and strange life - he has survived the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, World War II, and being a gay man in a time when that was a criminal offense. He has reported on and participated in the Civil Rights movement and protesting atomic bombs. All of these events and themes are explored in Bart Yates book with great research and care. But even more than the history, this book explores relationships, love, and family (whether formed by blood or bond).

*4.5 stars* Fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and A Gentleman in Moscow will love this beautiful book.

Publishing on 7/23/24

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, for the ARC.