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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
DNF @ 30%.
There is something charming in seeing your hometown transformed into a magical fantasy realm. England, "this scepter’d isle," has had many fantasy versions of itself, but Portland has not. Meloy does a lovely job turning Portland's Forest Park into a Narnia-esque wonderland. The best, part, though, are the whimsical illustrations by Meloy's wife, Carson Ellis.
So why, then, did I not finish it? Because 30% in and it was still setting-up the story. This book desperately needed an editor to pare the story down to at least a third of its current size. This book is 16 hours on audiobook - 16 hours! - which felt shocking long when I saw it (most adult audiobooks are about 8-12 hours). So I looked up similar middle grade fantasy classics: [b:The Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe|38108315|The Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe|C.S. Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516463590l/38108315._SY75_.jpg|4790821] is 4 hours; [b:A Wrinkle in Time|33574273|A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1)|Madeleine L'Engle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507963312l/33574273._SX50_.jpg|948387] is 6 hours; [b:Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone|72193|Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1)|J.K. Rowling|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1170803558l/72193._SX50_SY75_.jpg|4640799] is 8 hours; and even [b:The Golden Compass|119322|The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1)|Philip Pullman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505766203l/119322._SX50_.jpg|1536771], which I remember thinking of as a pretty thick book in middle school, is a mere 12 hours. That means I could read The Lion, The Witch AND The Golden Compass in the time it would take me to get through Wildwood. It is absurd that it is this long. The classic books I named had developed fantastical worlds, beloved characters, and some fairly complex themes and they still managed to be less wordy.
I was tempted to keep reading to see what else Meloy did with Wildwood and a fantasy version of St. Johns, but I was pushing myself to read without joy. I'm doing a better job this year of just giving up on a book when I'm simply reading it to have read it. Maybe this gets better, but I didn't want to spend another 11 hours seeing if that came to pass.
There is something charming in seeing your hometown transformed into a magical fantasy realm. England, "this scepter’d isle," has had many fantasy versions of itself, but Portland has not. Meloy does a lovely job turning Portland's Forest Park into a Narnia-esque wonderland. The best, part, though, are the whimsical illustrations by Meloy's wife, Carson Ellis.
So why, then, did I not finish it? Because 30% in and it was still setting-up the story. This book desperately needed an editor to pare the story down to at least a third of its current size. This book is 16 hours on audiobook - 16 hours! - which felt shocking long when I saw it (most adult audiobooks are about 8-12 hours). So I looked up similar middle grade fantasy classics: [b:The Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe|38108315|The Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe|C.S. Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516463590l/38108315._SY75_.jpg|4790821] is 4 hours; [b:A Wrinkle in Time|33574273|A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1)|Madeleine L'Engle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507963312l/33574273._SX50_.jpg|948387] is 6 hours; [b:Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone|72193|Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1)|J.K. Rowling|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1170803558l/72193._SX50_SY75_.jpg|4640799] is 8 hours; and even [b:The Golden Compass|119322|The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1)|Philip Pullman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505766203l/119322._SX50_.jpg|1536771], which I remember thinking of as a pretty thick book in middle school, is a mere 12 hours. That means I could read The Lion, The Witch AND The Golden Compass in the time it would take me to get through Wildwood. It is absurd that it is this long. The classic books I named had developed fantastical worlds, beloved characters, and some fairly complex themes and they still managed to be less wordy.
I was tempted to keep reading to see what else Meloy did with Wildwood and a fantasy version of St. Johns, but I was pushing myself to read without joy. I'm doing a better job this year of just giving up on a book when I'm simply reading it to have read it. Maybe this gets better, but I didn't want to spend another 11 hours seeing if that came to pass.
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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:
No
I enjoyed the updated northwest take on a traditional quest/fairytale/enchanted wood theme. If only I'd read this at 10 ... I would have LOVED it.
But it was enjoyable and I'll look for any follow-on books. I'd also consider reading this out loud to kids; it would be a fun choice.
But it was enjoyable and I'll look for any follow-on books. I'd also consider reading this out loud to kids; it would be a fun choice.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'd heard a great deal of praise for this book over the last few years. For me, it's Lemony Snicket and Mysterious Benedict Society meets Wes Anderson twee territory with lots of condescension and no redeeming humor. I know children and parents who liked this book, but it wasn't my thing.
Wildwood Chronicles
Next: 'Under Wildwood'
Wildwood Chronicles
Next: 'Under Wildwood'
I wanted to love this book, I really did. I have always loved Colin Meloy's quirky voice with the Decemberists and with the endorsement of Powell's books I brought this baby home and dove in with anticipation. I was READY to be enchanted. But I just...wasn't. Similar to "Watership Down" this book is geared on the surface towards kids while at the same time containing concepts and plot points that are much more adult. But unlike "Watership Down", the characters in Wildwood just weren't...likeable. Oh they were fine, I guess. And there were some obvious plotlines laid down to develop them. But, in the end, I just wasn't engaged. Which is too bad. Maybe the problem isn't this book; maybe it's just that JK Rowling casts too long a shadow. Whatever the problem, I put down this book, shrugged, and said, "Meh."
Wow, this book was rich with imagery and dropped me right into the story! Exactly what I was hoping for in a children's fantasy read. This gives me all the Narnia feels with action and adventure and finding yourself and facing your fears and and and, I'm just wildly impressed with Wildwood! Truly fantastical.
I finished reading Wildwood by Colin Meloy this afternoon. I think this book is target for kids a little bit younger than YA, but it is still a long adventure book. It's the story of Prue McKeel, who's brother Mac is kidnapped by a murder of crows and taken into the Impassable Wilderness. Prue goes in after him and finds herself in a whole other world with a North Wood, a South Wood and in between a Wildwood. She meets humans, birds, coyote soldiers, bandits and comes face to face with the evil Dowager Governess. This was a really fun book and I could see how it would appeal to kids and though the main character of this book was a girl, I think boys would really love this book. I will definitely recommend it to my kids when they are capable of reading this length of book.
adventurous
mysterious
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:
No
slow-paced
I love a good children's adventure story with a good vs. evil storyline. I picked this up because of the Narnia reference. It was not a bad book, but it was not....an exciting book?
I found it trying too hard to be like Narnia instead of taking a retelling vibe and running with it. I felt the end was the best part and it took too long to get there.
I found it trying too hard to be like Narnia instead of taking a retelling vibe and running with it. I felt the end was the best part and it took too long to get there.