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48th out of 74 books
—
13 voters
Sons from Afar (Tillerman Cycle #6)
James and Sammy Tillerman are as different as two brothers can be. But when Jimmy seeks out their missing father, Sammy joins in. As they ask questions, and move closer to their quest, it is Sammy who grows more interesteduntil the questions lead the brothers to a seedy waterfront bar where violence erupts....
"Keeps your interest...Quite suspenseful."
KIDSDY-NEWSDAY
"Keeps your interest...Quite suspenseful."
KIDSDY-NEWSDAY
Mass Market Paperback, 256 pages
Published
September 1st 1996
by Simon Pulse
(first published 1987)
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It has been six years since the Tillerman siblings have found a stable home at Gram’s, and Dicey is away at college. Book #6 focuses on James and Sammy highlighting their many differences. James is a studious “dork” unsure of himself, introspective and philosophical. Sammy is outgoing, popular, athletic and frustrated by his brother’s over-analytical personality. When James plans a trip to Cambridge to find out more about their estranged father, Sammy reluctantly agrees to go. The little informa...more
After reading Homecoming and Dicey's Song, I wanted to read more about the Tillerman siblings rather than their friends so I skipped over books 3,4,5 in the series, and started in on 6. Sons from Afar takes us a few years into their lives, where Dicey is away at college and James is a self-proclaimed nerd struggling to find his place in the world. He starts to wondering about their long-lost father, and enlists Sammy to help him out.
It was interesting to see the characters age, but in many ways,...more
It was interesting to see the characters age, but in many ways,...more
There was a lot of very beautifully written material in this sixth book of the Tillerman Cycle. The interactions between the brothers James and Sammy were breathtaking, in my opinion, and the tone of these many encounters throughout the narrative was perfect.
The story itself was vastly different from what I expected, but it was definitely a worthwhile addition to the collection of literature about the Tillerman family, and I am glad that Cynthia Voigt wrote it. She is simple amazing in her abi...more
The story itself was vastly different from what I expected, but it was definitely a worthwhile addition to the collection of literature about the Tillerman family, and I am glad that Cynthia Voigt wrote it. She is simple amazing in her abi...more
I reread this recently, as part of my reread of the entire Tillerman cycle. I don't think I've reread the entire cycle in the stated order in a long time. I've always liked some books of it more than others, and this is one of my lesser favourites, though I'm never entirely sure why. perhaps it's because I really like Dicey, and she barely features in this book. Perhaps it's because I don't entirely agree with the way Sammy and James act on one or two of their trips in search of information. Per...more
James and Sammy Tillerman, best known as the brothers of Dicey in the excellent earlier novels Homecoming and Dicey's Song, are reaching their teen years and beginning to wonder about their absent father. As they start searching for his whereabouts and learning about who he was they find much more than they bargained for. Cynthia Voigt's novels about the Tillermans continue to suck me in - she writes about family, siblings, friendship, and coming of age beautifully.
I didn't connect with the fourth and fifth books. I thought I'd like "The runner", but I kept wondering if Cynthia Voigt had ever run - she just didn't talk about pain enough :). I liked the sixth book much better, I think because I could relate to James' character, however, I was expecting a different outcome and I still am even though I'm finished with the book. I'm looking forward to book 7 and _really_ hoping that some of the questions still circling get resolved.
I love these Tillermans, and I waited far too long before returning to finish this series. The first three books really amazed me. The fourth was quite good, and the fifth OK. I found this one to be compelling, if a little less heavy on plot. More like the fourth book. I liked watching the boys figure out who they were and come to grips with where they'd come from. I thought that the way the plot resolved itself really fit with the characters in it and didn't seem far fetched. And I always like...more
Jul 30, 2012
Tori
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who liked the other Tillerman books.
Recommended to Tori by:
Myself. :)
Sons from Afar is the penultimate book in Cynthia Voigt's Tillerman cycle. This novel was narrated mainly by James and Sammy Tillerman, who are on a quest to find out who their father is and ultimately who they are.
Though I've enjoyed nearly all of the Tillerman books, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much. With the exception of A Solitary Blue, I just haven't really connected with the books when the narrators are male. I did love learning more about Sammy and James, along with the rest of the T...more
Though I've enjoyed nearly all of the Tillerman books, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much. With the exception of A Solitary Blue, I just haven't really connected with the books when the narrators are male. I did love learning more about Sammy and James, along with the rest of the T...more
This story follows the Tillerman story of Dicey and her siblings, and focuses on the two younger brothers. I read this one before The Runner and I am glad I did. It kept the mystery in Sons from Afar intriguing. Then, in the readding of Runner, there was the Ah-ha! sensation.
I adore the fleshing out of James--he's always been an intriguing "other" character in the other books. There is so much lack of resolution in this book that it could be frustrating, but I think it is a perfect reality.
#6 in the Tillerman cycle (of 7 total) - 3.5 stars
A worthwhile addition to the series but not my favorite. I look forward the last book to learn more about and have some of my questions answered about each of the characters.
A worthwhile addition to the series but not my favorite. I look forward the last book to learn more about and have some of my questions answered about each of the characters.
The Tillerman saga is great on the whole, but I didn't care for this one as well. The boys just weren't that interesting, neither was their quest to find their father or their struggle to relate to each other.
I'm gonna give this one a 3.5--great characterization as usual, but i kind of wanted a different resolution. Also, there was blatant racism about Native folks in this that didn't make me happy. On to the final installment....
The two sons in this book set out to find their long-lost father. Again, I love that Cynthia Voigt adds more background and depth to the main characters lives.
once more, i'd like to climb into this series and throttle a parent or two! how could they leave their kids like this, and let them grow up w/ all this "i wonder if ... ?", and pain, and ... to deal w/, on top of all the normal crud we humans, especially kids, pile up on each other just because?!
of course, w/ a so-called "man" like there father apparently was, they're probably better off not having had him in their life, but still ... to have left them like that, no word, no ...
not the best boo...more
of course, w/ a so-called "man" like there father apparently was, they're probably better off not having had him in their life, but still ... to have left them like that, no word, no ...
not the best boo...more
This was a nice study of Sammy and James Tillerman, but I found the book strangely unsatisfying. It was more of an extra long character vignette than an actual novel.
This is actually one of the better Tillerman novels, as it rounds out two of the three characters used mostly as props in the earlier ones.
I have enjoyed all of the Tillerman family books, but this is one of my favorites. The author was very skilled at taking the reader with James and Sammy as they struggled to decide who they are and what kind of person they would like to be. I want my boys to read it when they get older. It was a great example of finding your true inner character and learning that what you do and who you are is more important than what you look like or what others may think of you. I really like the close knit fa...more
Another great installment in this series. One of Voigt's strength as a writer is capturing her character's transformations (a.k.a. growing up). Even while her characters are quite mature and independent, they still have lessons to learn. I have loved this series...one more to go!
Jan 14, 2010
Carrie Pirmann
added it
books I've read,young adult fiction
F VOI tf bk.6
Sep 19, 2008
Peter
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Peter by:
Kristi Lamborn
One of the least sad in the series! About boys trying to fit in and deciding what they really like about themselves. It is interesting because it switches between to characters perspectives a lot, sometimes in the same scene.
Brothers seek a father they've never met. I like all of this series and it's comforting to see what kind of young men the brothers turn out to be.
Read the whole series! I fell in love with these characters, I actually cried when I read the last book. No more Dicey!
I love the ending where the younger brother found solace in being a drop in a bucket compared to the rest of the world.
My all time favorite teen fic!
Dicey's two brothers search to find the father that abandoned them. You will like it.
May 18, 2013
Amy
added it
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Cynthia Voigt is an American author of books for young adults dealing with various topics such as adventure, mystery, racism and child abuse.
Awards:
Angus and Sadie: the Sequoyah Book Award (given by readers in Oklahoma), 2008
The Katahdin Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Anne V. Zarrow Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Margaret Edwards Award, for a body of work, 1995
Jackaroo: Ratte...more
More about Cynthia Voigt...
Awards:
Angus and Sadie: the Sequoyah Book Award (given by readers in Oklahoma), 2008
The Katahdin Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Anne V. Zarrow Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Margaret Edwards Award, for a body of work, 1995
Jackaroo: Ratte...more
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