Now I Know & The Toll Bridge (The Dance Sequence) (Paperback) - Common

The Dance Sequence #3-4

by Aidan Chambers

In Now I Know the body of a young man, crucified on a metal cross, is found dangling from a crane in a scrapyard and subsequently vanishes. Tom, an ambitious young police officer, think he's had a lucky break when he's put in charge of this bizzare murder investigation. Nik is doing research for a film about a contemporary life of Jesus. Their independent investigations ultimately bring them together in an unexpected climax.

In The Toll Bridge, everyone seems to know best when it comes to Jan's future - but he's still working out for himself who he really is. He feels so hemmed in by the pressures of family and friends, he decides to leave home and live alone in the house on the toll bridge. While there, he meets Tess and Adam and their close bond of friendship develops into something which has devastating effects for them all.

Genres: Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 1995

About the author

Aidan Chambers was a British author of children's and young-adult novels. He won both the British Carnegie Medal and the American Printz Award for Postcards from No Man's Land (1999). For his "lasting contribution to children's literature" he won the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2002.

Reviews

[Swiftsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a novel such as this before. This is a very different read from what I'm familiar with.
It made me think. Not that I don't normally think but this novel seriously made me THINK.
Think about everything like a boiling cauldron of opposing thoughts stirred from two incredibly well-written stories.

Between the two novels, I much preferred 'Now I know' to 'The Toll Bridge'. The latter that had a pace too slow for my liking. It made me impatient and itchy especially after the bullet train speed of anticipation that ended up being extinguished like a candle flame at the end of 'Now I Know'.

'The Toll Bridge' scared me towards the end, especially in contrast with 'Now I Know' which had an ending I thought, rested the mind a little. However, nothing can be done for the protagonists in either of the cases. I never would have expected the twist in 'The Toll Bridge'. To all readers, make sure you read it through. About half way through, read it carefully all the way to the end. If you miss a single sentence, you lose the whole flow of the second story.

Aidan Chambers is truly masterful in drawing you into the mental state of the characters where even as I read, I felt as though, I could easily just as well feel the same as the characters did. The restlessness, the depression, the fear and even the anticipation of what lays await for us in the future.

This novel actually made me question the value of my education (this came out of the blue) because it almost seems that in all novels, people just like to skip that part because it seems less interesting to include in the novel. I guess that's just how it is. Haha. Sorry, I just thought it was necessary to mention it since the experiences the characters go through make them sound a lot older than you imagine them to be.


To be honest, I'm not too sure how I'm meant to even write a review that upholds the true reflective value of this novel so I shall stop here. Maybe I'll pick off where I've left off another time-- years into the future.

[Bekki Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you're an adult that is confused about your religion, read this book. If you're a teenager who wants to learn more, read this book. If you are convinced about your beliefs, read this book. if you consider yourself an atheist read this book. If you want a book that makes you think or a book that gives you a reason to keep reading, this book is definitely for you. I absolutely loved this book, especially the first story which spoke to me on so many levels. As a mother of teenagers, I loved this insightful look into their minds and hearts. As a Catholic, I enjoyed the mysticism of Christianity and the way it was described and loved in this book. I can't recommend it highly enough!
the second story is in some ways very different as a belief in God is not talked of at all but it does give a great insight into depression and its effects and the confusion felt by most teenagers at critical points in their lives. I loved the allegory of the bridge and its multiple meanings. i loved the characterisation of Tess and Jan. But what I particularly loved was the author's notes at the end which gave a real look at how a book comes to be written.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aidan Chambers lukt het boeken te schrijven die je door elkaar schudden en je anders naar jezelf en de wereld om je heen laten kijken. Samen met Nick maak je een zoektocht naar wat religie voor je kan betekenen. Een zoektocht die nergens verveelt, vol humor is en je uitdaagt zelf na te denken over de vragen die Nick tegenkomt.'Nu weet ik het', zoals 'Now I know' in het Nederlands heet, en het dagboek van Etty Hillesum zijn voor mij met stip de belangrijkste boeken die ik als jongere las.

[Elizabeth Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating discussions of life and love, set firmly within the lives of real chacters.