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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
The premise was better than the book. It felt like it dragged on and while I wanted to feel something for the characters, I never did. Disappointing overall.
This book is bonkers, not in a good or bad way, just bonkers.
Unique in that it approaches LGBT issues pre-middle school. Unique in that a librarian is an action star.
Unique in that it approaches LGBT issues pre-middle school. Unique in that a librarian is an action star.
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2 1/2 stars. Some had problems with the premise and/or the characters and their motivations; my issues were more with the fact that the novel was pretty tedious. The Borrower starts out incredibly promising: the literary parodies are funny, the dialogue is sparkling, and the characters are entertaining.
Once the two protagonists hit the open road though, things get pretty boring very quickly. The internal monologues of Lucy and the social commentary are still mordant and biting, but the plot really becomes a slog. The novel picks up again with the denouement, but it's just too little, too late. There are entertaining sections throughout, and there is some really good writing as well, but I really just can't recommend it, overall.
Once the two protagonists hit the open road though, things get pretty boring very quickly. The internal monologues of Lucy and the social commentary are still mordant and biting, but the plot really becomes a slog. The novel picks up again with the denouement, but it's just too little, too late. There are entertaining sections throughout, and there is some really good writing as well, but I really just can't recommend it, overall.
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lucy is a children's librarian in a small town in Missouri. She grows attached to a 10 year old patron named Ian, who is addicted to reading but has to sneak books past his evangelical parents. She learns that his parents have enrolled him in weekly anti-gay classes to combat his emerging flamboyance, so besides just helping him smuggle books past his parents, she is determined to communicate to him that some aspects of who we are aren't choices and can't be changed. Her involvement with Ian escalates when she comes into work early one morning to find him camped out in the children's room. At first, Lucy knows that she must try to return Ian to his parents, but through a series of hazy decisions and blackmail on Ian's part, they end up on a cross-country road trip together. In the course of the trip, Lucy learns a fair amount about her own family history and has to grapple with new truths that come to light. But most importantly, she tries to imbue Ian with a sense of self-acceptance that will stand up against the misguided ideals of his parents and church leaders. They end up all the way in Vermont, with Ian deciding that he is ready to go home because he wants to audition for the spring play at school. Lucy is certain that his return to Hannibal will be the beginning of a jail sentence for her, but with the help of her father and his Russian mafia connections, Ian is returned without her being implicated. After his return, Lucy learns that his parents have started to homeschool him, which presumably means that they are stepping up their evangelical brainwashing. Fearing that because of her, Ian is worse off than he was to begin with, Lucy figures out a way to smuggle him reading lists for the next 8 years of his life - books to keep him afloat until he can escape from his parents. Lucy, herself, starts a new life in a new town, and is kept afloat by the belief that books can save people, and they will surely save Ian.
This was one of those books I didn't want to end because I loved it so much! BOOKS SAVE!!
This was one of those books I didn't want to end because I loved it so much! BOOKS SAVE!!
emotional
lighthearted
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
This is a great, engaging read. The ending left me wanting a little something else, but beyond that, I really enjoyed it. All of the literary references to classic children's books enrich the experience for those who are well-read. I definitely recommend this book, and am glad someone recommended it to me.