What readers think of The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl, plus links to write your own review.

What a clever way to tell a story! Bart Yates shares Isaac Dahl's life history by revisiting 12 days in Isaac's lifetime and manages to weave in plenty of historical and cultural context. Each of those days takes us back to important events and depicts what was happening to the main characters then. Isaac, his sister Aggie, and best friend Bo have relationships that date back to when they were 8 years old and their acceptance and love of each other and their children is the constant theme of the book. Each of the characters is well developed and quirky as they find their way through some of the major events of their lives from their youth to old age. I think a book club could have some very interesting discussions with this book.

I absolutely loved this book. I have promised to buy a copy for my dad's birthday (he will be 93!), and have suggested he create a Very Long Life story as Isaac did. I so appreciated the structure of the story as much as the story itself. It will be enthusiastically suggested to our library patrons, and I expect they will also promote its readership. Thank you for the wonderful ARC!

Isaac may have had a long, strange life but the book about him is short but sweet. I was a little skeptical that a book about a man's life that skips ahead every eight years would tell a coherent story, much less an enjoyable one. I was very wrong. Bart Yates did a masterful job of creating characters who came to life despite the gaps in the timeline. Each chapter presented new characters who added depth to Isaac's story and immediacy to the historical events each chapter depicted. I read the entire book in one sitting and was very sorry when it was finished. This one will go on my favorites shelf.

Ninety-six year old Isaac Dahl writes his memoir which describes 12 significant days across nearly 100 years of his life. His descriptions starting at the age of eight and ending in his nineties succeed in encapsulating a fascinating, well lead life. I was amazed at how many traumas and natural disasters he lived through and survived. His very close relationship with his twin sister, Agnes, and his childhood friend, Bo, helped him to deal with so many tragedies and traumas in his life. It reminded me how important connections can be in our lives. I only wish he could have found more close intimate relationships. This was difficult for a gay male at that time. I frankly could not put the book down and loved reading about his life. His descriptions in the twelve different chapters made you feel like you were right there with him.

This book was everything I enjoy reading in a novel--fictional memoir laced with historical fiction with an interesting, insightful main character ( Isaac). I was intrigued by the structure of the book which divided Isaac's life into 12 chapters, each covering a single day in his very long and very well lived life. The chapters eloquently transported me through the life passages of Isaac, with each highlighting a defining moment for him. Bart Yates effectively drew me into the heart and soul of Isaac. The emotions of Isaac during some of the harrowing moments of his experiences were palpable to me. This book would be an excellent choice for a book discussion group since the many cental theme in the book- family, friendship, love, loss, survival, -- would provide a plethora of topics to explore.

I look forward to reading some of Bart Yates' other works. Thank you for providing me with this complementary copy!

I didn't know what to expect when I started to read, but then I couldn't put the book down. Showing a man's life in twelve chapters was inspired. Maybe being 92 years old myself helped me to relate, but I think the book would be great for anyone of any age.

The Very Long and Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl by Bart Yates was a very different and intriguing read for me. Normally not the type of book I'd select to read, I found it delightful the way the author began at age eight and concluded at ninety-six in revealing Isaac's unusual life. Although living an admittedly "ordinary life," he survives such traumas as an avalanche, naval battle, civil rights riot and earthquake to tell his tale of American family life. I couldn't help admiring someone--if only a character in a book--who was so resilient and steadfast no matter what life threw at him. Through each challenging event, Isaac remains humble and nonplussed, not considering himself a hero or even someone worthy of praise. Readers will certainly enjoy this tale, as I did, of an extraordinarily regular person shining during the very irregular occurrences of life.

This book had a great start, and I immediately connected with all the characters. The connection between all the characters was very believable, and the human flaws they all had were relatable .

The author gracefully weaves in various historical incidents, and various social mores, to make this a well rounded story. While the book had lots of humor, it also gave me much to think about.

It was a quick read, and I didn't want to put it down. It was a great book. I loved it!