This was an intriguing novel. I was initially taken by the plot of the book, but found the development of characters to be quite interesting. While I...moreThis was an intriguing novel. I was initially taken by the plot of the book, but found the development of characters to be quite interesting. While I did not enjoy this book as much as his other books (Octavian Nothing #1), it was still a mature look at the life of teenagers in a not too distant future. While the technology seems far fetched and the opportunity to visit the moon or mars is not imminent, the lifestyles of the teens in the book are not far removed from today's kids. I liked the challenges faced by the main character, Titus. To not have to read, write or even think is a future I cannot imagine, but it begs the question, where are we headed with technology? I highly recommend this book for teens and adults. (less)
This book took me on a wonderful journey. Not only did it explore an exotic part of the world through the description of the lost Blue Moon Valley and...moreThis book took me on a wonderful journey. Not only did it explore an exotic part of the world through the description of the lost Blue Moon Valley and Shangri-la, but it toured the deep, mysterious world of a man's inner conscious, fears and dreams. I was so moved by Conway. He had the chance to live in his perfect world, but gave it up for another.
Simultaneously, Hilton challenged me to think globally about responsibility and commitment. Perspectives are challenged much like in Hesse's Sidhartha.
I really enjoyed this novel and journey into another world and time.
I really enjoyed this story. Shute really captures the reader through interesting character development and beautiful descriptions of Australia. Many...moreI really enjoyed this story. Shute really captures the reader through interesting character development and beautiful descriptions of Australia. Many times I felt as if I was there with Jean and Joe willing them on to success.
I was also interested to find that while this is a fiction, it is based on a real woman who did march all over Sumatra (?) during World War 2. Also, it was nice that Shute depicted the Japanese infantrymen assigned to the women as humans with a sense of humanity. Too often do you find that the Japanese or Germans are depicted as all being without morals or any sense of humanity.
I struggled a bit with the Auzzie language, but it was still fun to guess what the characters were saying. This was an enjoyable read. (less)
I was really taken by this story. I could not put it down. I found that both the physical journey across England and Scotland was entertaining while t...moreI was really taken by this story. I could not put it down. I found that both the physical journey across England and Scotland was entertaining while the emotional and psychological journey was compelling. The way the author weaves these journeys, the boys trials and their growth is all well conceived and delivered. I recognize that the author was capturing the common tongue of the middle class Brit, but the language (swearing) was a bit too much for teaching in my seventh grade class. Yet I would still highly recommend this book to my students for their own reading with the caution for the language.
Overall, one of the best young adult books I have read in a while.
I truly enjoyed this novel. It was so well put together and the attention paid to character development was excellent. I also like that the outcome wa...moreI truly enjoyed this novel. It was so well put together and the attention paid to character development was excellent. I also like that the outcome was not as predictable as most books/stories would be. Alvarez is quickly becoming a favorite author. He characters are real and believable. I like that. She also does such a nice job of mixing Mexican folklore, culture and language in without distancing the reader with exclusive use of the Spanish Language. The conflict between culture, morals, politics and teenage issues is well done. This is a must read for my children. (less)
I found the novel to be a very well-paced story that kept me engaged to the very end of the book. The story of Epsen and his friends in the little tow...moreI found the novel to be a very well-paced story that kept me engaged to the very end of the book. The story of Epsen and his friends in the little town in Norway during World War 2 is a great story of bravery and maturity. This is definitely a book about a boy evolving into an adult. Epsen is also not the classic hero figure. He is not physically strong,wears glasses and often has to consider if he is doing to right thing. He wants to be part of the resistance movement and struggles with the changes imposed on him and his family in Nazi-occupied Norway. Yet he finds his own way to be a part of the movement, finds his way to manhood.
The other characters in the book are quite believable and provide a background against which Espen can make his decisions. I like the relationships that Espen has with his parents, his sister, and some of the other kids in the town. I was really intrigued by the change in his relationship with his best friend who does not see the need for a resistance movement and the struggle Espen has to understand why this friend does not see the world the same way. The challenges and trials that are placed on Espen and happen naturally are so real, it leaves me wondering what I would have done in his shoes.
I would definitely recommend this book to young adult readers and up.(less)
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