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Finding Gilbert
Misfit teen, May, is a freak — she can see ghosts. So, it's no surprise when she meets Gilbert in her school library. But he's a ghost with an identity crisis. Gilbert doesn't know who he is, or why he only appears when a book on Australian horses is opened. May decides to find out. After all, it's the only interesting thing that's happened to her since she moved to this sleepy beachside town from her beloved Melbourne. But, as she begins to search for Gilbert's identity, May finds answers she never really expects. Two teens, two different eras — in finding Gilbert, May not only learns about his troubled past, but comes to terms with her own.
308 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 22, 2022
Robin Martin's book, "Finding Gilbert", was an interesting read. Finding Gilbert tells the story of a “loner” girl named May and her encounter with the ghost of a young boy who died in WWI. Both of whom carried their own unique guilt which affected their lives in two tangibly different ways. As the story progressed, so did my connection to the main characters, and my need to keep turning those pages to find out what would happen next. In the end, I enjoyed the story very much. The characters were well written. I particularly like how Robin Martin brought ghosts and family together.
Now, this shouldn’t be a spoiler, but the book does point out the waste of human life for which war is responsible. It shows that we need to be thankful for what we have, our families, our freedoms.
I’d definitely recommend this book.
Now, this shouldn’t be a spoiler, but the book does point out the waste of human life for which war is responsible. It shows that we need to be thankful for what we have, our families, our freedoms.
I’d definitely recommend this book.
March 22, 2023
Note: I received a copy to review from BookSirens and I thank them and the author for the opportunity.
The main thing that caught my eye about this book and the story in general are the characters. They were the ones who made the story what it is. There was May, the MC, Kristy, her new friend, the ghost Gil, Sam, the potential romantic interest for May, and lastly there is Jono. So, they wrote the main character, bubbly side character, the antagonist, and the two interests. Quite the interesting cast. I believe the author wanted to make it known that being different doesn't mean people deserve to be made outcasts. It is hard for people to understand that trauma can affect people in many different ways, and everyone has their own way of coping. In this case, May looking into World War I and what made the boys of that time want to join and fight for the military. May also wanted to learn more about Gil and she used her project to do it. However, the closer they became the more interesting things became. I enjoyed their friendship and the pull between them. My favorite part was the different quotes as Gil processed the differences in the time periods between him and May. It was also heart breaking how he processed things about himself too. Examples are "Oh, you've got your typewriter again. I'm not sure how that's going to help us. It really is a strange looking machine" (51) and "I'm a ghost, May, a shadow from the past. Nothing can hurt me now" (158). I'm not sure if I were Gil how I would feel about being that self-aware for lack of better terming. There were many more times where certain lines made the story better, more real, and more entertaining. There is a reason why one liners can change the tone of a story. My final example is: "Are you seriously giving me relationship advice? You do remember you're a ghost, right?" (103). This book made me feel so many emotions from happiness to giddiness, and finally sadness. The happiness was from May coming to terms with herself, the giddiness was from the idea of having a romantic interest, and the sadness was split from the idea she lost a friend but found peace in all she learned. I think we all need to find ways to become at peace with ourselves and this book can make readers feel like they aren't alone on that journey. I would recommend this book to all readers and I do not believe anyone who reads this book would regret it.
The main thing that caught my eye about this book and the story in general are the characters. They were the ones who made the story what it is. There was May, the MC, Kristy, her new friend, the ghost Gil, Sam, the potential romantic interest for May, and lastly there is Jono. So, they wrote the main character, bubbly side character, the antagonist, and the two interests. Quite the interesting cast. I believe the author wanted to make it known that being different doesn't mean people deserve to be made outcasts. It is hard for people to understand that trauma can affect people in many different ways, and everyone has their own way of coping. In this case, May looking into World War I and what made the boys of that time want to join and fight for the military. May also wanted to learn more about Gil and she used her project to do it. However, the closer they became the more interesting things became. I enjoyed their friendship and the pull between them. My favorite part was the different quotes as Gil processed the differences in the time periods between him and May. It was also heart breaking how he processed things about himself too. Examples are "Oh, you've got your typewriter again. I'm not sure how that's going to help us. It really is a strange looking machine" (51) and "I'm a ghost, May, a shadow from the past. Nothing can hurt me now" (158). I'm not sure if I were Gil how I would feel about being that self-aware for lack of better terming. There were many more times where certain lines made the story better, more real, and more entertaining. There is a reason why one liners can change the tone of a story. My final example is: "Are you seriously giving me relationship advice? You do remember you're a ghost, right?" (103). This book made me feel so many emotions from happiness to giddiness, and finally sadness. The happiness was from May coming to terms with herself, the giddiness was from the idea of having a romantic interest, and the sadness was split from the idea she lost a friend but found peace in all she learned. I think we all need to find ways to become at peace with ourselves and this book can make readers feel like they aren't alone on that journey. I would recommend this book to all readers and I do not believe anyone who reads this book would regret it.
May 22, 2023
I’m used to books beginning great and ending in a flop. This book… was pretty much the opposite.
I’m gonna be honest, I wouldn’t have stuck with this one if I hadn’t been on a holiday (so time wasn’t as precious). The main character was incredibly annoying. She felt like she was better than everyone else and actively avoided anyone who was trying to be nice to her, yet then complained about how nobody liked her!
Everything took a turn for the better from chapter 20 onward. I think it’s because In those chapters, she also has a huge character development and becomes way more likeable.
I just don’t think most people would stick around long enough to see the development and would stop reading the book, thinking it’s just another snotty girl trying to one-up everyone.
So I actually ended up enjoying the ending. Not gonna lie, it even made me a little bit emotional.
There were a few things that I found weird/unpleasant.
- May is special cause she can see ghosts. But then she’s weary of opening the book that summons Gilbert in a public place because people might see him and freak out. Wasn’t the whole point that nobody could see him except for her?
-
- When she finally gets a boyfriend, she doesn’t want to do the things that he enjoys, but gets him to do things she enjoys. Felt kinda unfair.
- They
This book was deffo fun to read, albeit annoying to get through at first.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m gonna be honest, I wouldn’t have stuck with this one if I hadn’t been on a holiday (so time wasn’t as precious). The main character was incredibly annoying. She felt like she was better than everyone else and actively avoided anyone who was trying to be nice to her, yet then complained about how nobody liked her!
Everything took a turn for the better from chapter 20 onward. I think it’s because In those chapters, she also has a huge character development and becomes way more likeable.
I just don’t think most people would stick around long enough to see the development and would stop reading the book, thinking it’s just another snotty girl trying to one-up everyone.
So I actually ended up enjoying the ending. Not gonna lie, it even made me a little bit emotional.
There were a few things that I found weird/unpleasant.
- May is special cause she can see ghosts. But then she’s weary of opening the book that summons Gilbert in a public place because people might see him and freak out. Wasn’t the whole point that nobody could see him except for her?
-
- When she finally gets a boyfriend, she doesn’t want to do the things that he enjoys, but gets him to do things she enjoys. Felt kinda unfair.
- They
This book was deffo fun to read, albeit annoying to get through at first.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 11, 2022
Summery:
May knows she is different — she can see ghosts. She just didn't expect to meet one in her school library when she decided to skip class. At first, she is totally freaked out, but then she learns this boy ghost needs her help. Gilbert doesn't know who he is or why he only appears when a book on Australian horses is opened. Despite the fact that May has tried to block out her psychic abilities, she decides to find out. After all, it's the only interesting thing that's happened to her since she moved to this beachside town from her beloved Melbourne. But, as she begins to search for Gilbert's identity, May discovers answers she never really expects. They are two teens from two different eras, and yet they find a connection. In finding Gilbert, May not only learns about his troubled past, but comes to terms with her own.
Review:
I received this book for my Honest review. This book was so much fun to read as it was a page turner and I had to read it all in one sitting. That along with not finding any grammatical errors made this book one of the best I’ve read all year. The flow of the story line as well as the development of the characters was flawless.
Conclusion:
Would I recommend this book to others? YES, YES, YES
Is this book priced correctly? Yes
Is this book a full-length novel or novella? Full-length novel
Would I read other books by this Author? Yes
May knows she is different — she can see ghosts. She just didn't expect to meet one in her school library when she decided to skip class. At first, she is totally freaked out, but then she learns this boy ghost needs her help. Gilbert doesn't know who he is or why he only appears when a book on Australian horses is opened. Despite the fact that May has tried to block out her psychic abilities, she decides to find out. After all, it's the only interesting thing that's happened to her since she moved to this beachside town from her beloved Melbourne. But, as she begins to search for Gilbert's identity, May discovers answers she never really expects. They are two teens from two different eras, and yet they find a connection. In finding Gilbert, May not only learns about his troubled past, but comes to terms with her own.
Review:
I received this book for my Honest review. This book was so much fun to read as it was a page turner and I had to read it all in one sitting. That along with not finding any grammatical errors made this book one of the best I’ve read all year. The flow of the story line as well as the development of the characters was flawless.
Conclusion:
Would I recommend this book to others? YES, YES, YES
Is this book priced correctly? Yes
Is this book a full-length novel or novella? Full-length novel
Would I read other books by this Author? Yes
January 1, 2023
Great story about accepting who you are and the peace that comes with helping others. Early on in the story, the reader finds that Gilbert is a ghost who has "appeared" to May and can be seen only by her. He has appeared before, but no one could see him… until he meets May. As I read the book, I thought about those with whom I have had special relationships with throughout my life and how these people have touched me. While none were supernatural, it made me think about who I would like to connect with just one more time. I like that the author used "unfinished business" to help Gilbert and May connect through a book she was reading. I just couldn't help but agonize with May as she experienced teenage angst. The book touches on the horrors of war but does not dwell on the details. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 16, 2023
A good coming of age story. May, a teen living in Australia, blames her actions on a health problem her dad faced, which caused a major upheaval in the lives of her entire family. And on top of that, she sees ghosts. Can she find peace for her ghost friend as well as herself? Like many teens (and other ages) she is a loner but is also trying to figure out where she fits in - a new home, a new town, new friends, - missing old friends - and a ghost! Read it and see.
February 4, 2023
I am a judge for the 2022 Aurealis Awards. This review is my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinators, or the Aurealis Awards management team.
October 8, 2023
This was a very entertaining piece of work! I enjoyed the plot and the ending! A very pleasant read, for any time of day or night. I will look for more books by this author.
November 23, 2022
Mae is ashamed of her psychic abilities and withdraws into herself. When her family moves to a small town on the seacoast of Australia she withdraws even further. A loner at a new school in a new town she skips class to spend time alone in the library. But when she opens a horse book Gilbert, a ghost from the WWI era appears. Gilbert doesn’t know who he is and how he died, but somehow he is tied to a picture in the book and appears only when the book is opened. Thus starts an unusual friendship in which Mae is determined to help Gilbert discover who he is and how he died so he can pass onto the other side instead of being stuck in his current void. Along the way Mae also discovers who she is. A fun coming of age young adult story. Recommended. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 17, 2024
May is a loner who struggles with guilt from an accident she believes she caused. Since the accident may has gained the ability to see ghosts. When she meets Gilbert she has an undying need to find out what happened to him and why they are connected.
Martin did an incredible job creating well rounded characters, that are easy to empathize with, relate to, and get attached to. I really enjoyed the historical aspect to the story as May dives into the past to help Gilbert escape from his own guilt, as well as the book he has been attached to since his death. I love how Martin connected Gilbert’s past with the present, leaving no loose ends. It is truly a beautiful story that proves the importance of gratitude, family, and freedom.
Martin did an incredible job creating well rounded characters, that are easy to empathize with, relate to, and get attached to. I really enjoyed the historical aspect to the story as May dives into the past to help Gilbert escape from his own guilt, as well as the book he has been attached to since his death. I love how Martin connected Gilbert’s past with the present, leaving no loose ends. It is truly a beautiful story that proves the importance of gratitude, family, and freedom.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews