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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
To me this book has just such an essence of summer days, of being young, of friendship, of love and family, of growth, all wrapped up in the mystery that connects the past and present. Taylor’s own narrative starts off darker as the tragedy she has experienced of being abandoned by a junkie mother and being present for a man’s suicide is faced, interspersed with the lighter narratives of the friendships and relationships between Narnie, Webb, Jude, Fitz and Tate from the past. As the book progresses Taylor’s own story becomes more hopeful as she develops deeper relationships with those around her which is juxtaposed with how the narrative of the past takes a darker turn when those characters world starts to fall apart with the loss of one of their own. While the book started off a bit slow I found the characters intriguing and charming enough and was quickly fully hooked. It had me questioning everything the entire time as I got completely enveloped into the mystery of Jellicoe. It was touching and amazing and I didn’t expect to cry as much as I did at the end of it.
Although confusing at first with the varying view points and flashbacks, I found Jellicoe Road to be very compelling. I loved all the characters with their problems, emotions, and their baggage. I would read this again and recommend it to others. It's been a month since I read this and thinking about it while writing the review brings back all the emotions I felt while reading it. I feel for Taylor, Jonas and all the others. In life everyone and thing is connected in ways you can't imagine. That is how this book is. It feels like real life, but so much better. :)
When you are young you have such hopes and dreams for the future. For some, they come true but for others they aren't meant to be. It's true that groups of friends usually have one person that holds the group together. Once that person is gone, the group often falls apart. When something like that occurs you see if you have the strength to carry on alone.
Spoilery:
Aww, even thinking about the hermit, Taylor's mom, and her friends just breaks my heart.
When you are young you have such hopes and dreams for the future. For some, they come true but for others they aren't meant to be. It's true that groups of friends usually have one person that holds the group together. Once that person is gone, the group often falls apart. When something like that occurs you see if you have the strength to carry on alone.
Spoilery:
Aww, even thinking about the hermit, Taylor's mom, and her friends just breaks my heart.
Absolutely wonderful. Melina Marchetta did an incredible job of connecting all the characters intricately and it was just so beautiful and sad.
"What are you so sad about? We're going to know him for the rest of our lives."
"What are you so sad about? We're going to know him for the rest of our lives."
The beginning is incredibly confusing, but once the story lines come together enough that you can piece the story together, it's a great read (and fast since I couldn't put it down). I loved reading the development of the friendships as the story moved along; it showed a truly rich side of adolescent relationships, without getting saccharine or unbelievable.
So beautiful and heartbreaking and amazing. Utterly amazing.
"It's funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that's why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It's not the pain they're getting over, it's the love."
4.5 (Rating only dropped from five because gosh darn it I spent the first hundred pages of this novel thinking "who are you people and why are there so many of you.")
Gah. Where to start with a book like this?
The first half is odd and so confusing. You understand the gist that there's a territory war going on between the residents of Jellicoe Road and they're split into three factions; the Townies, the Cadets, and the students of the Jellicoe School. Of course, enter our main cast, which is a mix of all three and you can see how this would be fun and entertaining. But this book doesn't stop there; there's also flashbacks to a group a generation before who suffered death through a huge car accident on Jellicoe Road. These flashbacks are vague in the beginning, but slowly gain clarity until the image is too heartbreaking and clear.
Both groups are riddled with traumas and sadness. The main character, Taylor, was left at a 7-11 at eleven years old. The generation before suffered the death of most of their families in a huge car accident. Every character in this novel has a purpose, problems, and a personality all their own. It's so hard to not give legions of spoilers right now, but I'll resist the temptation so that those who haven't read this can be encouraged to do so.
Marchetta's writing is unique to say the least. It's interesting, but oh so exiguous. By the end of the book, you still have no idea of eye colors, hair colors, and for some characters, you know absolutely nothing of how they look, just their typical facial expressions and maybe some body language.
This was both great and frustrating. I appreciate her different way of approaching description since I created the images of the characters in my own mind, and even if they look the opposite of how I'm picturing them, I would still know them just by their walk or the way they crinkle their nose. I don't know; maybe my mild OCD is why the whole no general description drove me bonkers. That's my only complaint, and that's not even a real problem since I don't actually mind as much now that I've finished it. :)
The final thing I wanted to praise was a parallel Marchetta hid in here. I loved that she did it, and adored how she presented it.
All I can say is read this book. Especially if you enjoy books taking place in private schools, small towns, or Australia. Or contemporary YA, modern classics, novels with a darker tone, or books that will keep you guessing. In the beginning it takes a while to orient yourself, but trust me; it's all worth it.
4.5 (Rating only dropped from five because gosh darn it I spent the first hundred pages of this novel thinking "who are you people and why are there so many of you.")
Gah. Where to start with a book like this?
The first half is odd and so confusing. You understand the gist that there's a territory war going on between the residents of Jellicoe Road and they're split into three factions; the Townies, the Cadets, and the students of the Jellicoe School. Of course, enter our main cast, which is a mix of all three and you can see how this would be fun and entertaining. But this book doesn't stop there; there's also flashbacks to a group a generation before who suffered death through a huge car accident on Jellicoe Road. These flashbacks are vague in the beginning, but slowly gain clarity until the image is too heartbreaking and clear.
Both groups are riddled with traumas and sadness. The main character, Taylor, was left at a 7-11 at eleven years old. The generation before suffered the death of most of their families in a huge car accident. Every character in this novel has a purpose, problems, and a personality all their own. It's so hard to not give legions of spoilers right now, but I'll resist the temptation so that those who haven't read this can be encouraged to do so.
Marchetta's writing is unique to say the least. It's interesting, but oh so exiguous. By the end of the book, you still have no idea of eye colors, hair colors, and for some characters, you know absolutely nothing of how they look, just their typical facial expressions and maybe some body language.
This was both great and frustrating. I appreciate her different way of approaching description since I created the images of the characters in my own mind, and even if they look the opposite of how I'm picturing them, I would still know them just by their walk or the way they crinkle their nose. I don't know; maybe my mild OCD is why the whole no general description drove me bonkers. That's my only complaint, and that's not even a real problem since I don't actually mind as much now that I've finished it. :)
The final thing I wanted to praise was a parallel Marchetta hid in here. I loved that she did it, and adored how she presented it.
Spoiler
(When Taylor saw Sam and thought about how she could have turned out the same way had her mother not "given" her to Hannah. I was so depressed I ate a whole bag of Haribo.)All I can say is read this book. Especially if you enjoy books taking place in private schools, small towns, or Australia. Or contemporary YA, modern classics, novels with a darker tone, or books that will keep you guessing. In the beginning it takes a while to orient yourself, but trust me; it's all worth it.
Wow, this book was amazing. I'd give it a nine out of ten because I don't think it would really appeal to EVERYONE and the beginning is a bit slow, but I thought it was just a terrific book.
I loved watching the pieces click together, and I liked all the character - flawed but lovable.
This is the best Printz book I've read; even beats out Looking for Alaska for me.
I loved watching the pieces click together, and I liked all the character - flawed but lovable.
This is the best Printz book I've read; even beats out Looking for Alaska for me.
I really enjoyed this book, and I loved the ending. It was a very heartfelt, sentimental story without being too sappy. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because I was slightly confused on all the characters until about halfway through the book. Even in the first chapter, I wasn't sure if the main character was the same as the one in the prologue, which turns out to be 2 separate people.
Initially convoluted, but once it starts to reveal itself, the story was interesting.