Reviews

The Runaways by Ulf Stark

c14_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

annelisenogue's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Coup de cœur!

kiwikathleen's review

Go to review page

4.0

This is a lovely little story about a boy and his grandfather, and I can totally understand why the boy would collude with his grandfather and take him back to his home for one night. My own father is currently in hospital, and now each time I visit he asks if I've come to take him home. The short answer to that is "No, not today." The long answer is that he broke his hip (now has a replacement part in it) and must be able to get around independently before they'll allow him back home with Mum. And that is taking a long time because he forgets to do the exercises the physio has given him and forgets that he broke his hip and gets so he can't be bothered doing anything.

The grandfather in this book has a different scenario. His heart isn't going to keep him going much longer, but he hates it in the rest home. There are some very funny bits where he swears dreadfully (no, not written down - this is a children's book!). And there are some lovely/sad bits where he misses his wife terribly and wonders if he'll ever see her again - does heaven even exist? he wonders.

The only thing I didn't love about this book is the illustrations (which I strongly dislike). Well, we all have different tastes and there are plenty of children's books where I don't like the style of the illustrations, so that's no big deal.

ghosie_threrl's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

polyvoda_i's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

дуже мило було брусничне варення)

martinlibrarian's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Fick tips av låntagare på bibblan om denna - och jag kan inte säga att jag ångrade mig, haha!

Vemodig, vacker och djupt rörande skulle man kunna sammanfatta den här boken. Om de stora frågorna såklart, men ändå vansinnigt jordnära. Och jag gillar Crowthers bilder.

erine's review

Go to review page

5.0

If you could choose how you die, what would it look like? Would you choose to stay in a care facility? Choose hospital gowns, and hospital foods, and lots of hospital medicine?

Or would you choose to go home, say goodbye to the already-dead love of your life, burn your funeral clothes, salvage the last jar of lingonberry jam, and resolve to be more pleasant and polite? All aided and abetted by sympathetic grandchildren - one real and one pretend.

A short and beautiful story of a good death.

anetesbookshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dannidrew's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

libwinnie's review

Go to review page

4.0

A lovely book all around. The physical size and shape, as well as the illustrations made it stand out from other middle grade books. I found it very moving, but also appreciated the rebelliousness of the characters and their determination to live life on their own terms.