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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I remember thinking this was an extremely strange book when I read it, but I still liked it quite a lot.
People are not locked doors. You can get through to them if you want. But noone did.
A very creepy and menacing tale of friendship and what happens when things go too far.
This is a children’s book, I wouldn’t even call it YA, but it is the first book I remember reading that felt grown up – considering it came out in 1996, when I was 9, it probably was. I came across it recently and wanted to re-read it.
The story is about the friendship between two girls, Natalie (whose parents have taken over a local hotel) and Tulip (the neglected outcast). Like Natalie’s parents, you start off feeling a bit sorry for Tulip and thinking that maybe Natalie’s friendship is good for her, but you end up wondering if some children are just born evil.
If it sounds a bit disturbing for a children’s book, it is! In fact, when I read NOS4A2, and the children play ‘Scissors for the Drifter’ etc., I was reminded of some of the disturbing games that Tulip comes up with in this book. It’s a children’s version of We Need to Talk about Kevin. And I wasn’t aware until I was just checking some details now on Wikipedia, that Anne Fine was inspired by the James Bulger case.
The story is about the friendship between two girls, Natalie (whose parents have taken over a local hotel) and Tulip (the neglected outcast). Like Natalie’s parents, you start off feeling a bit sorry for Tulip and thinking that maybe Natalie’s friendship is good for her, but you end up wondering if some children are just born evil.
If it sounds a bit disturbing for a children’s book, it is! In fact, when I read NOS4A2, and the children play ‘Scissors for the Drifter’ etc., I was reminded of some of the disturbing games that Tulip comes up with in this book. It’s a children’s version of We Need to Talk about Kevin. And I wasn’t aware until I was just checking some details now on Wikipedia, that Anne Fine was inspired by the James Bulger case.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I only read this book for the first time recently (in an afternoon in fact) as I'd somehow missed this as a child. This is a genuinely sinister book. The characters are exceptionally well drawn. You can easily see why Natalie is drawn to the clever, creative Tulip. At first it seems an innocent if somewhat controlling friendship but as Tulip's games become subtly nastier and more callous Natalie has to fight to break free of Tulip's hold on her. I can't really do this book justice. Everyone should try it. My heart was in my throat as it rushed to its conclusion. The reader is left with a slightly uncomfortable feeling and the question, if you turn a blind eye when you know harm is being done are you as guilty as the perpetrator? Could anyone have helped Tulip in any case? I'd have given this more stars if I could.