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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
An endearing and thoughtful coming-of-age story about poverty and learning disabilities. More than that, the author impeccably explains that the unbreakable bond of family and friends can exist and should exist with boundaries.
This book does what I believe "Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine" fails at, describing an "eccentric" person with real empathy. Zelda's characteristics aren't overblown and her interest in Vikings is informative to the themes of the story. It's not there just to make her seem "weird." People in her life are kind but realistic. Things don't tie up at the end magically and not everything's figured out, but you end the book feeling hopeful.
This book does what I believe "Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine" fails at, describing an "eccentric" person with real empathy. Zelda's characteristics aren't overblown and her interest in Vikings is informative to the themes of the story. It's not there just to make her seem "weird." People in her life are kind but realistic. Things don't tie up at the end magically and not everything's figured out, but you end the book feeling hopeful.
Zelda is twenty-one-year-old who is obsessed with Vikings. She lives with her older brother, Gert. Their parents are dead and Zelda has diminished mental capacity due to fetal alcohol syndrome. Gert will do ANYTHING to protect and support her. This book is full of memorable, unforgettable characters. It’s both heart-wrenching and humorous. I love Zelda who definitely has a Viking spirit.
From the Publisher:
Sometimes life isn't as simple as heroes and villains.
For Zelda, a twenty-one-year-old Viking enthusiast who lives with her older brother, Gert, life is best lived with some basic rules:
1. A smile means "thank you for doing something small that I liked." 2. Fist bumps and dabs = respect. 3. Strange people are not appreciated in her home. 4. Tomatoes must go in the middle of the sandwich and not get the bread wet. 5. Sometimes the most important things don't fit on lists.
But when Zelda finds out that Gert has resorted to some questionable—and dangerous—methods to make enough money to keep them afloat, Zelda decides to launch her own quest. Her mission: to be legendary. It isn't long before Zelda finds herself in a battle that tests the reach of her heroism, her love for her brother, and the depth of her Viking strength.
When We Were Vikings is an uplifting debut about an unlikely heroine whose journey will leave you wanting to embark on a quest of your own, because after all...
We are all legends of our own making.
From the Publisher:
Sometimes life isn't as simple as heroes and villains.
For Zelda, a twenty-one-year-old Viking enthusiast who lives with her older brother, Gert, life is best lived with some basic rules:
1. A smile means "thank you for doing something small that I liked." 2. Fist bumps and dabs = respect. 3. Strange people are not appreciated in her home. 4. Tomatoes must go in the middle of the sandwich and not get the bread wet. 5. Sometimes the most important things don't fit on lists.
But when Zelda finds out that Gert has resorted to some questionable—and dangerous—methods to make enough money to keep them afloat, Zelda decides to launch her own quest. Her mission: to be legendary. It isn't long before Zelda finds herself in a battle that tests the reach of her heroism, her love for her brother, and the depth of her Viking strength.
When We Were Vikings is an uplifting debut about an unlikely heroine whose journey will leave you wanting to embark on a quest of your own, because after all...
We are all legends of our own making.
This was a wonderful read. Told from the point of view of a young woman with FASD it covers independence, sexual experiences for people with disability, relationships and honor and so much more. Zelda is a great character with unique ways of managing in the world. She is also intensely loyal. Her brother is struggling and resort s to bad solutions and he has a great sometimes girlfriend AK47. The story is wonderfully told and a great read.
This is one of those books from a perspective that surprises the reader. And Zelda, our dauntless, Viking-loving protagonist, is full of the best sort of surprises.
Without any spoilers, I implore you to read this book. To use one of Zelda’s Words of Today, this book has a “gargantuan” heart and tells even more spectacular legend.
Pick. It. Up.
You won’t regret it.
Without any spoilers, I implore you to read this book. To use one of Zelda’s Words of Today, this book has a “gargantuan” heart and tells even more spectacular legend.
Pick. It. Up.
You won’t regret it.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
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
Unlike anything I've ever read before. I chose this book solely because the cover was pretty and didn't know what the story line would cover at all. It definitely won't be for everyone, but I absolutely loved it. This is such a unique book that walks through great topics in a creative way. We don't get a happy ending wrapped up with a bow but it is definitely reflective of a real life development. I would absolutely recommend giving it a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence
This book just wasn't for me. I didn't feel immersed in the story at all and felt like Zelda's perspective was a wall keeping me out rather than an invitation in to a different point of view and experience. As the reader, we get a fair bit of Zelda's inner thoughts, but she never seemed to become multi-dimensional to me.
"What I can say is that sometimes life finds us, and when it does we have to rise to the occasion and have courage. And we make lists, rules, and try to order things, trying to control them, when actually the most important parts of life, the parts really worth cherishing, are the things that we don’t expect."
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
