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rei_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, and Infertility
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Miscarriage
serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
How to Build a Boat is the story of Jamie, a 13 year old who is quirky, probably on the autistic spectrum although this is never stated outright, and preparing to start at a new school when we meet him. More than anything he wants to build a perpetual motion machine and to connect with his mother Noelle who died when he was born.
Prize nominated books have a reputation for being heavy. This one is not. It manages to be uplifting without being too saccharine or sentimental, and is a fairly easy read - despite the lack of quotation marks. The actual physical boat that is built is also a metaphorical boat, the construction of which - and especially the community which coalesces around the construction - helps keep Jamie afloat in the new school environment, where he could very well have sunk. The difference a caring and understanding teacher - or two - can make in the life of a student is clearly highlighted, as is the toxicity I associate with certain types of all-male religious schools. The bullying, by students as well as the school head, both sickened and infuriated me. I think the success of this book very much depends on how comfortable the reader is with Jamie’s thoughts which come across in a very stream of consciousness way, and how easily they connect with him as a character. I quickly identified with him and he stole a place in my heart meaning that I mostly enjoyed my time with this book, despite some niggles along the way. In the battle between head and heart, my heart won.
While the story centres on Jamie, two of his teachers, especially Tess, feature prominently. Her storylines involve infertility and alcoholism which could be triggers for some readers.
Prize nominated books have a reputation for being heavy. This one is not. It manages to be uplifting without being too saccharine or sentimental, and is a fairly easy read - despite the lack of quotation marks. The actual physical boat that is built is also a metaphorical boat, the construction of which - and especially the community which coalesces around the construction - helps keep Jamie afloat in the new school environment, where he could very well have sunk. The difference a caring and understanding teacher - or two - can make in the life of a student is clearly highlighted, as is the toxicity I associate with certain types of all-male religious schools. The bullying, by students as well as the school head, both sickened and infuriated me. I think the success of this book very much depends on how comfortable the reader is with Jamie’s thoughts which come across in a very stream of consciousness way, and how easily they connect with him as a character. I quickly identified with him and he stole a place in my heart meaning that I mostly enjoyed my time with this book, despite some niggles along the way. In the battle between head and heart, my heart won.
While the story centres on Jamie, two of his teachers, especially Tess, feature prominently. Her storylines involve infertility and alcoholism which could be triggers for some readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism
reads_eats_explores's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Classism, Addiction, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Death of parent, Mental illness, Medical content, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Violence, Cursing, Death, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
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