You will either love this book or hate it. But I would say listen to these words.
345094
Very life altering if your heart is after God and is in risk of burn out. So many miraculous things happened in order for this book to be in my hands I couldn't begin to write them all or run the risk of ruining the book for you. Few books are written to be experienced like this one. I absolutely loved it!
1421167
Just do yourself a favor and read the thing.  You won't be sorry.  I wouldn't spend over a hundred on the audio book though.  If Stephen Briggs ever gets around to nararating it...well I still wouldn't pay over a hundred, but I'd consider renting my soul out to get my hands on it.
2952172
If you're a reader that enjoys literature that speaks to your heart then you will love this book.
2938924
If your not fully awake you will not enjoy this book. The words are gold if you could take riches to heaven this kind of gold would be one of them.
1763434
I agree with almost everything said in the other 5 star reviews, so I will not repeat it.  There is one thing that I think needs to be stressed further, and that is that even though the first peice is very long, it does pay off to listen to it all the way through.  At the end, you'll exclaim, wow, that was amazing, i can't wait to listen to it again.  So my advice to you is, start listening!
2192544
Unfortunately poets aren't always the best readers of their work. Still even a poor reading of good poetry is rewarding.  The words soar even if the voice doesn't.
1340263
If given the choice between reading this book again and torture, bring on the Vogon Poetry and waterboard.

A longer review here:

[...]
1304797
This was fun! I loved the sly slam to Harry Potter, loved the even more sly Spook-speak lifted from his adult Mistborn trilogy, and loved the insights into a writer's mind (truly more evil than any librarian!). He had me laughing aloud.

And it was also a wise book, packed with useful advice. For instance:

"The ending of a book is...both the best and the worst part to read. For the ending will often decide whether you love or hate the book. Both emotions lead to disappointment. If the ending was good, and the book was worth your time, then you are left annoyed and depressed because there is no more book to read. However, if the ending was bad, then it's too late to stop reading. You're left annoyed and depressed because you spent so much time on a book with a bad ending. Therefore, reading is obviously worthless, and you should go spend your time on other, more valuable pursuits."

Having finished this book, I AM annoyed and depressed.  Guess for which reason?
3702519
Hey!  Don't talk-just listen!
 You don't have to buy this book, but it might be better for you if you did.  Even if you don't like it, you should post a good review.  He's my nephew, after all!

Auntie Celeste
2289223
I don't know how to feel about this book. On the one hand, it's beautifully written and extremely atmospheric. On the other, it's slooooooow. Saying that this book is the literary equivalent of a game of chess is not an exaggeration. This book is for a certain subset of people; ones who are okay with a lot of description and very little action. I am only that person sometimes. Luckily, I found myself listening to this book at a time when I was okay with it--a 3 hour commute will do that to you. I feel like, had I tried to sit down and read this on my Kindle, I probably would have given up halfway through.

The descriptions are absolutely luscious; tons of detail, making the circus almost tangible. This is a world I would absolutely loved to be sucked into to explore for a few hours. I'm very glad I listened to this on audiobook, because I think I would've gotten bored and given up halfway through if I hadn't been captivated by Jim Dale's narration. His voice truly brought the circus to life.

Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of the way the story was told, via vignettes that jump all over time and place. I much prefer a very linear story, with minimal time/character jumps. That said, I can understand why the story was told the way that it was; it's a patchwork quilt of viewpoints and experiences that make the story stronger and suit the book and it's message well.

The love story was a bit lacking, personally. I understand how the main characters fell in love, but in a story about a magic circus, their love story was the most unrealistic thing I came across. I wish they had had more direct interaction/courting, because I'm a sucker for courtly romance, but it wouldn't have suited the story.

At the end of the day, I'm glad I experienced this book, even though it's not my usual fare. It's delicious, but also sluggish--like a 20 course meal. You'll be stuffed and satisfied at the end, but it's not going to be something you'll want to experience immediately again and you will need time to digest.
4905993
Forget everything you've ever heard about Ulysses. Some people love it, some people hate it.

I found that once you get into the flow of reading it, Joyce has a way of representing thought that feels more like you're thinking than reading something. That's what they mean by stream-of-consciousness. Sure, it's old. Sure, it's dense. You probably won't understand every single sentence or word in this epic, but try it. You might like it. It's a fun - yes, fun - book. Joyce jokes around. He is witty, unique, and yes, nonsensical.

I loved this book. Not everyone will, but drop your fears and read it. Its difficulty is overhyped. You'll never finish it if you don't start it. It's definitely one of the more rewarding books I've read.
2999878
If you're considering buying this book, you're already aware of three things:

1.) This is a poetry book

2.) Based on the title, the author is writing about his life and probable eventual death in poetic fashion

3.) Luke Savage is not already a favorite poet of yours (or else you'd just go ahead and buy the book)

All valid assumptions.

You're already 2/3 the way to pushing that "Purchase" button, since you like poetry and the title has intrigued you. Your only hold-up now is not being familiar with Luke Savage or his work.

IF you buy this book, Luke Savage will soon become a poet whose name you'll look for to buy books from again.

Savage offers poems of a variety of forms, styles, and themes, but the main themes are those of aspects of his hard life, the death of his mother, and how that death made his life difficult.

But hasn't everybody had difficulties in their lives, you included? If you've led a charmed life,you are not looking at this review - somebody else's life and their view of death means squat to you.

It's because you DO care about somebody else's viewpoints and you hope those viewpoints can affect your life in helpful and enjoyable ways that you're looking for a poetry book, let alone THIS very book.

You want the writer to share (Savage does this in spades), to care (He certainly does) and to shed light on subjects in ways which will help you come to terms with your own difficulties in life (He does).

Savage's book delivers. You may not love every poem within, but you will find many to like and a few to love.

Mark off those that you love and return to them often. Luke's words will help you again and again.

Mark off those you don't like so much. Come back to those at some future time. See if changes in your situation hasn't also changed your feelings about this poem. Our impression of poetry like that in My Life, My Death will change based on our mood, outlook, and stage in life.

You're 2/3 the way there ...

Make it 3/3. Push "Purchase" and find a poet who will speak to you. maybe Luke Savage will even speak for you.
4512221
I spent an entire weekend reading these books, and admit to enjoying it for the most part.
Since there are thousands of reviews already, I will just say this is worthy of  3 and 1/2 to 4 stars.
Read the first few chapters and decide if you want to invest your time. Personally, I feel my time was well spent.

Again, read the 5 and 1 star reviews, but most importantly read the sample. Each readers prefers specific genres, so if the writing and story are not to your liking don't bother. And if it is, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
2149083
I felt good while I read this book, and have felt good since. You will either "get" this book, or you won't.
2643974
This is an amazing book. If you don't agree then you don't like books at all! Only a person in opposite world can say "I hate this book!" Actually meaning i love it. To describe this book i will a say 2 simple words. Emotionally sad. i can not describe this book in words or movement. just a page turner. I will cry the day this book is no more. Which will probley be an extreamly long time.
3323141
Part of me loved reading this book. Part of me hated it especially towards the end.
Part of me found it inspirational. Part of me did not.
In the end I think this is a true readers choice. You will love it or hate it. I cant say. But do give it a try. Then make up your own mind.
1063653
They're not all insulting and all, but I liked the book, anyway. I'm not really sure if I could recommend this book to you. It is tough to decide.