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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Super cute, loved all the library and book references. An interesting look at running away and cultures as well, which was unexpected!
i get why people don’t like this book, why people are upset with the actions lucy takes - i get it, but i don’t agree!
i notice many of the negative reviews on here are from the time when the book was published, and i can understand how this book being your first introduction to makkai’s work could be off putting. but having read the great believers and i have some questions for you and absolutely LOVED those, i quickly developed an appreciation for this book. evidently the work of a budding novelist, i can see how the ideas and choices makkai made in here would come to inform and better her later works. this story especially feels like a spiritual prequel to what she’d do in i have some questions for you
but, on the other hand, i think i just don’t agree with the criticism because i don’t think lucy is evil like a lot of other reviews seem to imply. i think she makes absurdly terrible decisions, definitely, but i think she’s misguided. she’s hopeful and trying to convince herself of her goodness and the morality of her actions in favour of the morality of ian’s family’s actions; while also being informed by her father and his choices and questionable relations.
this book doesn’t reach its full potential, i’ll admit it! but it’s charming to reflect on it as a stepping stone in makkai’s transformation into a brilliant novelist!
i notice many of the negative reviews on here are from the time when the book was published, and i can understand how this book being your first introduction to makkai’s work could be off putting. but having read the great believers and i have some questions for you and absolutely LOVED those, i quickly developed an appreciation for this book. evidently the work of a budding novelist, i can see how the ideas and choices makkai made in here would come to inform and better her later works. this story especially feels like a spiritual prequel to what she’d do in i have some questions for you
but, on the other hand, i think i just don’t agree with the criticism because i don’t think lucy is evil like a lot of other reviews seem to imply. i think she makes absurdly terrible decisions, definitely, but i think she’s misguided. she’s hopeful and trying to convince herself of her goodness and the morality of her actions in favour of the morality of ian’s family’s actions; while also being informed by her father and his choices and questionable relations.
this book doesn’t reach its full potential, i’ll admit it! but it’s charming to reflect on it as a stepping stone in makkai’s transformation into a brilliant novelist!
3.5
Sort of a noir / Sam Spade tone to a very suburban, kid-safe kind of story. Felt sort of like YA. Also super delightful for book lovers — laced with references the same way Ready Player One is for 80s babies who love video games. Kind of vanilla, but fun.
Sort of a noir / Sam Spade tone to a very suburban, kid-safe kind of story. Felt sort of like YA. Also super delightful for book lovers — laced with references the same way Ready Player One is for 80s babies who love video games. Kind of vanilla, but fun.
I devoured this book in a day and a half. Beautifully written. I was sad when I finished it.
This, this right here is where I lost it:
“'Books to Read When You’re 11' was the first one. It began with Danny, the Champion of the World, that charming paean to civil disobedience, and included the Oz series ('But make sure they’re by the real L. Frank Baum!' I’d written. 'Not just plain Frank!') and ten more books that I couldn’t stand the thought of Ian not reading, that I’d have piled on his outstretched arms if I were still his librarian."
A beautiful and wonderful and delightful book and I loved it.
“'Books to Read When You’re 11' was the first one. It began with Danny, the Champion of the World, that charming paean to civil disobedience, and included the Oz series ('But make sure they’re by the real L. Frank Baum!' I’d written. 'Not just plain Frank!') and ten more books that I couldn’t stand the thought of Ian not reading, that I’d have piled on his outstretched arms if I were still his librarian."
A beautiful and wonderful and delightful book and I loved it.
I liked this book so much I would have read another 300 pages. The main character is a disaster but very understandable if you can get past the kidnapping. Well written with cute book and library themes.
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
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
an interesting tale of a children's library who happens to "kidnap" a young boy. Full of humorous connections/interpretations of children's stories woven into this humorous tale.
I couldn't with this one. The MC is unpleasant to spend so much time with, the plotting is off, and the overall premise, I just couldn't buy into. You can see glimpses of future Makkai in the sentence structure, but this story doesn't shine.