Extraordinary. A Wonderful meld of historical fiction, family story, and fantasy, set in and around Athens at the time of Socrates. The book it most rExtraordinary. A Wonderful meld of historical fiction, family story, and fantasy, set in and around Athens at the time of Socrates. The book it most reminded me of, in some of its themes, was Linda Sue Park's A Single Shard. But this story is more of a mosaic--deliberately so--and fantasy and myth blend quite convincingly with realism. I could not put it down. Highly recommended
(BTW, I absolutely love A Single Shard. This book, like that one, made me cry.)...more
Excellent. Here is a book you will learn from, even if you think you understand the situation in Israel/Palestine and have been following the situatioExcellent. Here is a book you will learn from, even if you think you understand the situation in Israel/Palestine and have been following the situation there for years. For example, I always knew the U.S. was not an honest broker and that we were extremely biased in favor of Israel. But I did not--quite--understand the extent to which Trump's disastrous policies merely laid bare longstanding U.S. positions. Nor did I understand why some people of good will consider BDS anti-Semitic. I understand both those things now.
What has happened, and continues to happen, to the Palestinians is absolutely tragic. Books like this one offer hope, not only by pointing out facts the world should know, but also by making clear the Palestinians' courage and endurance. ...more
Actually, three and a half stars for me; I'm rounding it up to four because of the content. Jim Wight has a loving and comprehensive view of his fatheActually, three and a half stars for me; I'm rounding it up to four because of the content. Jim Wight has a loving and comprehensive view of his father that all fans of James Herriot's books will enjoy. The photos are an added plus. Two things I learned that amazed me: 1. Alf Wight wanted to be a novelist, and actually began a novel about his experience studying veterinary medicine in Glasgow. I rather wish he had finished it! 2. Going along with this--no courses in science or math were required to get in to the veterinary college. It was perfectly okay to shine (as Alf did) in subjects like English and Latin.
And I was interested to learn more about "Siegfried", "Tristan", and "Helen" and what they were like in real life.
In short, the one adjective to describe this book is "solid". That's no bad thing....more
I don't know what happened to my earlier review! Short version: I am so, so impressed with Klages' research! And the book feels real, and Katie's desiI don't know what happened to my earlier review! Short version: I am so, so impressed with Klages' research! And the book feels real, and Katie's desire to play little league baseball will appeal to sports-loving kids. But I actually kind of hated the "no girls allowed" club. I was a baseball-loving tomboy as a child, but it's not a good idea to teach girls--or boys--self-hatred, is it? The contempt for "girly-girls" made me want to go out and read (or write!) a book with a "girly-girl" heroine.
But, except for that small glitch, this is a well-crafted, well-paced, and extremely well-researched novel. If you read it, you'll likely have some fun, and you'll certainly learn something. I did!...more
The word for this is charming. It had me laughing till I cried in places, especially in the first chapter, in which Firoozeh's mother accompanies her The word for this is charming. It had me laughing till I cried in places, especially in the first chapter, in which Firoozeh's mother accompanies her to her second-grade class in California. If you're looking for a quick, light read that is also humane and gives a glimpse of another culture, I'd recommend this book....more
This is clearly written. It's often witty--though I never laughed out loud when reading it. It's informative. Then why did I plod my way through it?
MaThis is clearly written. It's often witty--though I never laughed out loud when reading it. It's informative. Then why did I plod my way through it?
Maybe it's me. Really. This was a solid book that should interest anyone who ever wondered what it's like to be an astronaut. To me, it lacked that extra spark that would have kept me turning pages for hours, but I did enjoy it, and I certainly learned from it. ...more
A reread for me, and I enjoyed it just as much the second (or third, or fourth) time around. These warm, clearly written vignettes form a classic bookA reread for me, and I enjoyed it just as much the second (or third, or fourth) time around. These warm, clearly written vignettes form a classic book for a reason. Anyone who enjoys animals will surely love this book! (Note: the only reason it's four stars on this reread, rather than five, is that there isn't really a strong sense of "plot". But there is a clear and subtle story thread, and the characters are very enjoyable.)...more
This is a book after my own heart. If you, too, love poetry, family, and natural history, you will surely love it too. The structure is wonderful; Ms.This is a book after my own heart. If you, too, love poetry, family, and natural history, you will surely love it too. The structure is wonderful; Ms. Nexhukumatathil discusses plants and animals in the context of her own life, beginning with Catalpa trees on the Kansas plains. Some essays made me smile; others touched me or troubled me; many did both.
To me, this book was so close to perfection that a couple of commonplace grammar errors really irked me. In her first essay, Ms. Nexhukumatathil uses "like" where she should use "as if". This sends me right up the wall, and i almost stopped reading.
But I'm glad I didn't. In the book as a whole, these errors might be like the deliberate mistakes Dine weavers will make, in order to avoid perfection, which is only God's. I enjoyed these essays, in their warmth, clarity, and humanity, and I learned from them. What more can you ask for?
Highly recommended. It's shelved in the adult section in our library, and that's appropriate, but teens as well as adults will enjoy this book. ...more
Very short, quite cheerful, and also (at least a little bit) wise and memorable. One of the things that struck me most was the idea that, in order to Very short, quite cheerful, and also (at least a little bit) wise and memorable. One of the things that struck me most was the idea that, in order to boost creativity, you should put off decisions for as long as you can. And here I thought I was just a procrastinator!
Seriously, I smiled as I was reading this book, but it also made me think. It's just what it says on the cover, and that's good....more
Just beautiful! The focus of these essays and poems from varied authors is love, and how it transcends divisions. That's a message we cannot have too Just beautiful! The focus of these essays and poems from varied authors is love, and how it transcends divisions. That's a message we cannot have too much of these days--or, probably, any days. The writing is often superb, and there is humor as well as heartbreak. Authors are men and women, Christians, Muslims, and Jews. This is a book every American adult should read, IMHO. Highly recommended....more
What a refreshing book! Ellie is a charmer, as is her dog Kirby and her best friend Jay. My sister and I both loved their friendship--it's lovely to sWhat a refreshing book! Ellie is a charmer, as is her dog Kirby and her best friend Jay. My sister and I both loved their friendship--it's lovely to see a teen boy and teen girl who have each other's backs this way, without being romantically involved. And it's just great to meet Ellie, her family, and her ancestors.
I won't say more than this, except to add that this book is a natural for kids who loved Rick Riordan when they were younger. Little Badger, too, makes excellent use of mythology and does so with respect, heart, and humor. Ellie is Lipan Apache; her parents are professionals (and it's ALSO great to see an adventure story in which teens take risks and in which their parents care and do their best to protect them!); and Little Badger is straightforward and honest about themes like genocide and cultural appropriation without being in the least downbeat or prejudiced. If you're an adult, like me, you'll learn a lot from this book. If you're a kid, you'll also learn a lot and have a blast doing it. Well, I had a blast, too! Highly, highly recommended....more
I have to admit, when reading this book, I thought of my dad. He used to speak about an old movie called The Corsican Brothers, and state it had been I have to admit, when reading this book, I thought of my dad. He used to speak about an old movie called The Corsican Brothers, and state it had been on the index of banned works because it showed two people sharing one soul.
Very old-school types would also be disturbed by animals having souls. That doesn't bother me, and Hardinge, at all times, is a wonderful writer. Her sentences are beautiful and she has a good grasp of plot; she also does her research. I will probably read anything she writes. That said, this was my least favorite of the three books I've read by her so far. I'm having a hard time saying why, except, perhaps, that we're living in dark times and this book was so very, very dark and creepy. Mild spoiler: the idea that you could torture or even devour a ghost was really upsetting to me. And yet I had no problem with Jonathan Stroud! So why did the ghosts in this book bother me so much?
But Hardinge's imagination is admirable. She works everything out so well, even if I somehow didn't quite like where she went with the plot. I did love the relationship between young Makepeace and Bear, and also the sibling relationship between Makepeace and James.
In fact, all the relationships shone. Picture a young girl, a guilt-ridden young soldier, a curmudgeonly old doctor, a bear, and a noblewoman spy who may or may not be a double agent crossing enemy territory in a civil war. If most of the characters weren't ghosts, I think I would have loved this.
So--this somehow wasn't quite for me, and I can't quite put my finger on why. But it's very well-written and deserving of an audience. You might love it. ...more
<1>Fire is still my favorite of Cashore's Graceling realm books, but this one may be right behind it. At heart, it is a study of how abuse gets handed<1>Fire is still my favorite of Cashore's Graceling realm books, but this one may be right behind it. At heart, it is a study of how abuse gets handed down in families, and how it affects children. It is also a political mystery and an examination of servitude and ethics, in the guise of a fairy tale with a princess and talking animals. It's very sophisticated. Oh--the story of the Keeper was touching and engrossing to me. And I absolutely loved Adventure Fox and all the other blue foxes!
Mild spoilers: I especially admired how Cashore handled the character of Lovisa. She's not at all a likeable kid, initially--and she does seem young for her age. There are reasons for that, as well as for her promiscuity. Though I did not agree with all her choices and motivations, I came to understand them all and to admire her for her courage and her love for her little brothers.
I think, as in Fire, what you think of Winterkeep may depend on what you think of the villains. It's certainly a rather scathing examination of late-stage capitalist politics, and is perhaps a bit too on-the-nose for some readers. But, in the end, I really enjoyed it....more
Wow! This one took me a long time to read, and, about halfway through, I was agreeing with the reviewer who described it as several characters wanderiWow! This one took me a long time to read, and, about halfway through, I was agreeing with the reviewer who described it as several characters wandering around looking for a plot. Arnason's sentence structure--often simple and straightforward--also began to seem repetitious after a time. But--
1. Some of the language is gorgeous, especially the thoughtfully repetitious, poetic language of the indigenous people. Here's a spontaneous poem (toward the end of the book) by a child, a young teenage boy: I am on the boat! I am on the boat that growls!
I am on the boat! I am on the boat that ROARS!
I am dancing! Aiya! Dancing on the broad and shaking back.
(p 456, U.S. Hardcover 1991)
And then there are the spontaneous poems of Nia (the title character and one of the two protagonists), the vivid description of landscape, and some very sympathetic characters--Nia herself, my favorite, the Oracle, and some others. Lixia, the human anthropologist who becomes Nia's friend, was less interesting to me. But she, too, is a believable and often admirable person.
And yes, in the end, there is a plot. Here's a very important question the book asks: is it inevitable that a more technologically advanced culture will distort and damage a less technologically advanced one when the two encounter each other?
If there doesn't seem to be an answer--if, in the end, the book is open-ended--I think that's exactly what Arnason wanted to do. I found this to be worth reading, though it took me some time. I can see why Ursula Le Guin loved it....more
A marvel and a delight. As a writer, I am enthralled by Clarke's mastery of tone and voice. From almost the first word, I was puzzled and disoriented,A marvel and a delight. As a writer, I am enthralled by Clarke's mastery of tone and voice. From almost the first word, I was puzzled and disoriented, but also fascinated. From the first sentence, I was interested in Piranesi and his world.
As a reader, I'm struck by Piranesi's goodness and innocence. This is not a child, nor a child's voice; Piranesi is a capable and thoughtful young man. But he is deeply, simply good. When faced with a choice, he always chooses kindness and mercy; when faced with a mystery, his response is delighted awe. It is a pleasure to be in his company.*
As the story developed, I began to realize that there were several mysteries to solve. And, again, I marvelled at Susanna Clarke's ability to convey so much in so few words, and in such a perfect tone.
This is a tribute to C.S. Lewis's Magician's Nephew, and, again, this is an education in how to write a tribute and how to let an earlier work inspire you. There is nothing derivative in Piranesi's world. Nor does Clarke seem to have any axes to grind. Rather, she simply has her own story to tell: the story of a young man discovering his own identity, among other things. In the end, this is both a love story and a story about love and its power.
This is a book I think I would like to own, because it is worth reading more than once. It's not a puzzle, but truly a labyrinth--and labyrinths, in my spiritual tradition, are places for centering and meditation.
* Those who have read the book will know there is one choice Piranesi makes that is puzzling, and perhaps not entirely loving or well-thought-through. My interpretation of this puzzling action is that he is again thinking the best of someone who perhaps does not deserve it. He's offering that person a choice. The choice, when it comes, is very revealing. Still, this one scene could be seen as a flaw and a contradiction. Those who have read the book: what do you think?...more
These books vary a bit in quality, though I always enjoy them. To me, How to Raise an Elephant was one of the stronger entries in the series, though pThese books vary a bit in quality, though I always enjoy them. To me, How to Raise an Elephant was one of the stronger entries in the series, though perhaps not at the very top. It made me laugh out loud a couple of times while reading, which was exactly what I was looking for. But the three intersecting stories (Charlie and the elephant, Mma Ramotswe and a request for money from a cousin, and a disconcertingly loud new neighbor) kept my interest throughout. What's more, all three dealt with themes of family, trust, repsonsibility, and forgiveness, and did so with a light hand. Very good fun for those who enjoy the series. I always like to visit these characters!...more
Well. As much as I love her own mystery, A Piece of Justice, even at her best Paton Walsh is not Sayers. And I'm the type of reader who reads with a (Well. As much as I love her own mystery, A Piece of Justice, even at her best Paton Walsh is not Sayers. And I'm the type of reader who reads with a (mental) editing pencil in hand. I noticed some run-on sentences here, and nearly got jarred out of the story when young Charles Peter Parker called his cousin "Uncle Jerry". (The boy and young man are first cousins, and no more than 15 years apart in age. Is it normal to call one's cousin "uncle"?) That said--
This is a really clever plot, with a lot of atmosphere. It will appeal to all lovers of historical mysteries and of village cozies--even those who have never heard of Harriet and Peter. And Walsh, as always, is very clear about where her ideas came from, and some of those ideas are Sayers' own.
The basic plot concerns a young woman found dead in an air raid in the village of Paggleham. She wasn't killed by a bomb, as one might expect, but by a human being trained to kill with his (or her) bare hands. Complicating the search for justice is that the young woman, a land girl, was widely disliked, and at least three young men may have had reason to kill her.
As I said, it turns out to be a very clever story, honestly worked out. And I wonder if Elizabeth Wien has read it? A subplot features youngsters playing with Morse code, and there's also Jerry's poetic, vivid description (to those same youngsters) of exactly what it's like to fly a Spitfire. That was about the finest piece of writing in this book.
If you like historical mysteries or stories of the home front in WWII, you can't go wrong with this one....more
As I said about another SF book I reviewed, I try to base my star rating (as far as I'm able), on what a book is, and what it attempts to do, not on wAs I said about another SF book I reviewed, I try to base my star rating (as far as I'm able), on what a book is, and what it attempts to do, not on what I think it should be. And, in spite of a few flaws, Bonds of Brass is a clever, well-crafted space opera. What you think of it may well depend on what you think of the narrator. And--
No, Megan Whalen Turner this is not. This novel completely lacks any sense of the numinous, and the characters are not that deep. That said, the unreliable narration is very well done. (I hope that's not a spoiler). I liked young Ettian, and sympathized with his difficulties and his torn loyalties--he's a member of a subject people, and his roommate/best friend is the heir to the conquerer's/occupier's throne. We are in Ettian's head throughout, and all I will say that, as to his relationship, I think there's a lot of projection going on. This means that the plot twist at the end is honestly and well worked out. And it certainly is a cliffhanger! The story also raises some interesting questions about political systems and ethics. I liked that.
A couple of minor issues, and a question: 1. As so often happens in novels today, there are some minor grammar problems. The two boys use "broadcasted" as the past tense of "broadcast". That just made me wince. The "like/as" mistake that annoys me so much is also on display here. But, worse-- 2. I was seriously annoyed that, in an SF novel set in the far future, the characters talk about "feet" and "miles", not meters and kilometers. That feels very wrong, and almost got me to knock of a star from my rating. Almost--not quite.
And the question. Yes, there's a gay romance at the heart of this story. But the kids are young--17--and the romance is sweet, not salty. Neither the sexual tension nor the violence are beyond a bright 13-or 14-year-old reader. Bonds of Brass is a natural YA. I did wonder why it was published as adult.
So--here's a solid space opera with likeable teen characters (I didn't mention Wen. She's great--and her story also raises issues of politics and leadership) that should appeal to young (and older) Star Wars fans. Recommended for most libraries, and for teens as well as adults....more
An incredibly well-researched and informative book--and what a complex story! Ms. Soontornvat tells this story in the off-putting and all-too-ubiquitoAn incredibly well-researched and informative book--and what a complex story! Ms. Soontornvat tells this story in the off-putting and all-too-ubiquitous present tense, which I find distancing. But, if you have any curiosity at all about what, exactly, happened to the Wild Boars Soccer team, how they got trapped in the cave in the first place, and how they got out, you need to read this book*. If you do, you'll also learn a lot about Thailand, about Buddhism, about what caves mean in Thai culture, about what cave divers do and why cave diving is so extremely dangerous, and more. And the illustrations are fantastic, too. A book all libraries serving young teenagers should own, and adults will also find much to admire.
*(To give one example, I had no idea that more than 3 million residents of Thailand are not citizens, but stateless people. I also learned exactly why the rescuers thought it would be safest to drug the boys during the rescue--it was to keep the children from panicking, a natural human reaction to being dragged under water in the pitch dark.) ...more
A deeply thoughtful and very consoling book, and I learned something while reading it. For example:
"a key point of the Franciscan view, surprising to A deeply thoughtful and very consoling book, and I learned something while reading it. For example:
"a key point of the Franciscan view, surprising to some, is this: the Word of God did not become a creature and a human being because of Adam and Eve's sin. On the contrary, the Divine Word became flesh because from all eternity, God wanted Christ to become creation's most perfect work..." (pages 68 and 69 of the paperback edition, in chapter 5.)
A little further down this page, Father Jack explains these views were espoused by Duns Scotus. Now I know who Duns Scotus was, and I love Hopkins' poems about him even more. This is awesome.
Awesome, too, is the story of St. Francis's death, which I had actually not read before. And there are, of course, many charming animal stories, both from the time of St. Francis and from the present day. I strongly agree that heaven would not be heaven without our beloved animal companions, but Father Jack also encourages reverence and kindness toward our fellow creatures in the here and now.
A quick, clever, and often charming thriller with a delightful artificial intelligence as one of the narrators. Not quite a five-star read for me becaA quick, clever, and often charming thriller with a delightful artificial intelligence as one of the narrators. Not quite a five-star read for me because the villain was so cartoonishly, over-the-top villainous, and I was also frustrated by the (admittedly mild) cliffhanger ending. But I did enjoy this. It's not quite up there with Mike Mullin's Surface Tension, which I've been thinking about a lot lately. That's not only more serious in tone and more gruesome, but also more frighteningly believable. And the cliffie at the end of that one made me want to scream and throw the book across the room. But they are very different books, and both are very good of their type.
If you like realistic teenage chat rooms, friendship stories, road trips, kids helping other kids figure out a dire situation--I'd recommend this book heartily. AND it made me smile!
If you're up for more action and gore, read this, and then go read Surface Tension. Both these authors are truly up-to-date and deserve to be read....more
I hardly know what to say about this book. I read it because a crit partner recommended it to me, and, certainly, there were things about it that wereI hardly know what to say about this book. I read it because a crit partner recommended it to me, and, certainly, there were things about it that were admirable. But--it was almost a dnf for me. One reviewer called it "uneven", and I would agree with that.
The short version of this review: there is a strong novella in this book, somewhat hidden under verbiage.
The longer version: I think I may do this as a set of lists. Things I did not like 1. Sadly, initially, the protagonist. This was a problem because we were very much in Agapanthus's head, and from a young age she seemed to me to have a tendency to look down on others. And not just because she was taller than most of them! I thought her emotions were very well-described, but somehow distant, such that I never got a clear sense of her relationships. Yes, she's an outsider, but I think we're meant to see that her foster parents do love her. It was never clear to me that she actually loved them. (but see note below) 2. The culture seemed bleak. I'd die in that world very quickly as a vegetarian-type person; all the people ate only raw meat. I can't remember reading about any plants other than seaweed, and there were no trees. Nothing but rocks and water. The arts seemed rudimentary; there didn't seem to be any literature, and the religion was opaque to me. 3. And this is what threw me out of the story several times--there was too much faulty grammar and poor editing. Examples: Ms. Varela does not seem to know the difference between simple past and past perfect. For example, on page 32, "It sunk into her paleness..". It should be "it sank". And on page 89, there is: "It had been so long since she'd really swam..". That should be "swum". Things like this kept stopping me as I read. Some of the word choices are odd, too. For example, late in the story Agapanthus/Aria hears crows "bellowing" in a field. I had to read that sentence several times because I was convinced the crows had to be cows. Crows don't bellow!
But there were things I liked, and here they are. 1. It's a very imaginative story. The culture Ms. Varela depicts may not seem fully realized to me, but it's very different from anything else I've come across in fantasy or SF. 2. The story, which centers on a coming-of-age rite, can be emotionally astute. Here, for example, Agapanthus muses to herself after completing the alien rite of passage: "Maybe no one was really an adult at all. Everyone just felt the same inside for the whole stretch of their lives. And maybe, all their lives, everyone was just trying not to be scared, and trying to convince themselves--prove to themselves--that they weren't children any more." (p 139) 3. As we see above, the themes of love and belonging are powerful. 4. The story became gripping to me when the young adult Agapanthus/Aria returned to her Earth family. This was in part because of the clarity of the relationships. I really liked Max, Agapanthus's teenage half-brother. He's smart and supportive in his way, and says one of the loveliest things in the novel.
I can't help thinking that, with better editing and more clarity, this could have been a classic. I'm not sorry I read it. It was worth it in the end, but it was a bit of a struggle.
Oh, wow! I cannot believe Megan Whalen Turner's ability to both satisfy and surprise us. I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to know more about that smaOh, wow! I cannot believe Megan Whalen Turner's ability to both satisfy and surprise us. I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to know more about that small, silent child at the end of Thick as Thieves. Not only does Megan tell us more--he's the narrator! AND he's disabled/differently abled, which I would not have guessed. And his voice--looking back as an adult on events he did not fully understand at the time--is so, so well-done. I absolutely loved little Pheris, who also broke my heart a little.
If you have not read the earlier volumes, you really should. You'll gain much more from the book if you know more about this cast of dozens. But I honestly think this volume could be read as a standalone. It's that lucid, and that good.
Other comments: A lot of interesting thoughts about loyalty, betrayal, and faith. Those ambassadors! Am I right to think Eugenides and Irene actually like one of the Mede ambassadors? But one of those ambassadors made my sister very sad. We finally, truly, learn what it means to be the thief of Eddis. Gen is flat-out terrifying. I did want to know exactly what congenital syndrome Pheris has. He can both hear (he can hear the grass grow, as was once said of a child in my family) and make sounds. But he can't talk. I wondered why? I also struggled to picture what he looked like as I wasn't entirely sure he had dwarfism. For those of us who've been following this series for decades, we got to see so many beloved characters again. Costis! Kamet! Sophos! Helen! But I was left with some questions. 1. What ever happened to Melisande? 2. Who is Gitta?
In short, a beautifully-crafted, satisfying conclusion to the series, and a gripping story in its own right that introduces a loveable and admirable new narrator. But there is still room for Megan to tell more stories in this world, if she should ever choose to do so. If not, we can enjoy reading and rereading the books she's given us....more
Deeply thoughtful, generally beautifully written essays on the natural world, with some haunting and troubling images--and also much beauty. I was strDeeply thoughtful, generally beautifully written essays on the natural world, with some haunting and troubling images--and also much beauty. I was struck by the title essay; birds in their hundreds, or even thousands, flying up twice every night to the very edge of the clouds. And I also truly enjoyed learning more about mute swans--I now know what swan upping is, and why it's done. There was one grammar error that jumped out at me, speaking of swans--I'm afraid I can't remember the exact word, and I don't have the book in front of me, but it was when the female swan walked over to her and sat down next to her. This is the only error I spotted, and that's why it was so jarring.
If you love birds and the natural world, or if you enjoy essays, or if you liked H is for Hawk--if any of these things is true, you will find this book rewarding.
Well. Plato arguing against certain modes of music; playing 33 1/3 LPs backwards; the devil's interval (which comes up here)--there is a long history Well. Plato arguing against certain modes of music; playing 33 1/3 LPs backwards; the devil's interval (which comes up here)--there is a long history of criticizing music as a dionysian menace. This novella fits right in. If you've ever loved a band; you'll understand the narrator and how he gets trapped. If you've ever been in what seems a crazy relationship, ditto. Fast, funny, strangely realistic, gruesome, and extremely clever, this is a tour de force. It reminds me more of Kafka than anything else. Not to my taste, really; I don't enjoy that level of violence, but I did find it very readable and admired it. Dr. Who fans who also like Punk or alternative music are the natural audience for this--that is, if they have strong stomachs and can tolerate ambiguity. Like The Dream Merchant, this is one of those stories where it's just possible it's all in the narrator's head. As I said, a tour de force. ...more
A deeply touching, deeply beautiful book. I was asked to read it for a class and another (brilliant) student noted that the disorientation the reader/A deeply touching, deeply beautiful book. I was asked to read it for a class and another (brilliant) student noted that the disorientation the reader/viewer experiences exactly mirrors the disorientation of the immigrant father in a strange city. There are no words, so you are plunged directly into this man's experiences and must navigate them along with him. For this reason, I struggled to get into the book, but it was so worth it. Highly recommended for both teens and adults....more
I agree with my sister--this is one of the best teen fantasies I've read in years. a well-crafted story, a unique world, a fundamentally decent young I agree with my sister--this is one of the best teen fantasies I've read in years. a well-crafted story, a unique world, a fundamentally decent young heroine in a really difficult situation, clear and sometimes lovely prose--the one thing I didn't love was that ending, but only because it's crying out for a sequel. I want the sequel now!
My sister is also right to say that this is a book fans of Farmer's The Ear, the Eye, and The Arm and Okorafor's Akata Witch would probably love. Farmer, Okorafor, and Ifueko all simply set you down in Africa (or, in Ifueko's case, a country like a future Africa), and let you follow a terrific story and a sympathetic, complex young protagonist.
Another thing I appreciated about Raybearer, in particular, is the way Ifueko dealt with issues like love, friendship, loyalty, and responsibility. Tarisai and the other members of the junior council may be nobility (because the emperor-to-be chose them); Dayo may be the future ruler. But these kids take their responsibilities seriously and work at statecraft.
This is a really good book, in every sense of the word. ...more
First things first: 1. This is really well-written. Norris's voice is perfect. 2. I was not the audience for this book. Norris's self-absorption and cluFirst things first: 1. This is really well-written. Norris's voice is perfect. 2. I was not the audience for this book. Norris's self-absorption and cluelessness annoyed me. I loved Maddie, though! That girl is going places. And I had a lot of sympathy for Judith, Norris's long-suffering mother. Liam was terrific, too. 3. Being an actual adult, some of the plot points were predictable to me. But they were well-handled.
I don't suppose a plot summary is necessary: this is a realistic, humorous story of a French Canadian boy of Haitian descent stuck in the wilds of Austin, Texas. The characterizations are sharp and the writing clean and witty (I don't mean lacking bad language. There's some of that; these are modern teens we're talking about. I mean Philippe uses language well.) And I liked the ambiguous ending. This would absolutely appeal to John Green fans, and I do recommend it. I just wasn't the right audience for it. ...more
Yay! This was exactly what I was looking for in these dark times--a solid fantasy adventure with a likeable and admirable young protagonist. That protYay! This was exactly what I was looking for in these dark times--a solid fantasy adventure with a likeable and admirable young protagonist. That protagonist is Jarka, formerly a street kid and now living in the court and serving as the wind reader for Prince Beran. Though only sixteen, Jarka has many worries. He still feels a sense of responsibility to other street kids who haven't had his luck or talent; he's sometimes puzzled by his stern teacher; and, worst of all, he's worried sick for his little cousin Izzy, whose stepfather is abusive. In a vision granted by the wind, he sees a dead child. Then children start to vanish. Will Izzy be next?
Anyone who has read The Wind Reader will want to read this sequel, but it stands alone as well. A gripping, well-crafted story with a strong moral core....more
Loading...
