Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
It took me around four days to finish this book, not because it was lengthy or dense or anything but because I kept reading some pages over and over again because they struck me as funny, moving or just memorable. And it is all because of the characters. I just love these kids. They have their territory wars and House rivalries and jealousies but they would go through hell for one another and they won't whine about it.
I haven't read much contemporary YA lately because while I can sympathize and relate to stories about not fitting in, insecurity, loneliness, etc. I don't exactly admire teens who angst about these things like it's the end of the world. I already did that when I was sixteen, I don't want to relive it too much. What I admire are the kids like Taylor and Raffy and Ben and Richard, the kids who can handle responsibility with a sense of purpose and maturity.
Updated: June 19, 2013
Upon re-reading, I just realized that loads of really ridiculous things happen in this book, I still love it but it's ridiculous. Not the least of which is Taylor being unable to find out or incurious about the Brigadier's true identity. She was able to identify her mom, dad, her aunt and the Hermit from an old photo whereas she conveniently couldn't identify the Brigadier (and she even has an old photo of the guy unlike the other four) because a large part of the plot hinges on it.
I haven't read much contemporary YA lately because while I can sympathize and relate to stories about not fitting in, insecurity, loneliness, etc. I don't exactly admire teens who angst about these things like it's the end of the world. I already did that when I was sixteen, I don't want to relive it too much. What I admire are the kids like Taylor and Raffy and Ben and Richard, the kids who can handle responsibility with a sense of purpose and maturity.
Updated: June 19, 2013
Upon re-reading, I just realized that loads of really ridiculous things happen in this book, I still love it but it's ridiculous. Not the least of which is Taylor being unable to find out or incurious about the Brigadier's true identity. She was able to identify her mom, dad, her aunt and the Hermit from an old photo whereas she conveniently couldn't identify the Brigadier (and she even has an old photo of the guy unlike the other four) because a large part of the plot hinges on it.
To paraphrase a quote from John Green: "Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book. And then there are books...which you can’t tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like a betrayal."
This is the later one of those books. It drops you dead into the middle of the story, with no thoughtful exposition to explain everything and if you don't have the curiosity to follow it through, after saying to yourself what the hell is going on, then it cares not one iota about leaving you behind. But if you follow, and if you keep reading, it drops clues and hints and even not so subtle inferences of the story beneath the story but you're so eager to ignore them because finally, finally, you're beginning to understand. But you don't want to understand, so you ignore the clues and the connections. It's one of those stories where you physically feel a pain in your chest from your heart breaking. It's one of those stories where you deny it all...this can't possibly be where this story is going, clearly the tears streaming down my cheeks are blurring the real story.
I have a habit of copying down quotes from books that strike me as particular beautiful or that are something that I can completely relate to. The number of sentences, paragraphs,...pages...that I highlighted in this book were unreal. This is a beautiful wrought tale that spans generations and weaves a dreamlike tragedy in the most horrifically wonderful of ways. This is a story that stays with you for years after you read it. It's gorgeous, and haunting, and hopeful. It is a book you want to press into the hands of everyone you meet but at the same time, it's so precious and it burrows so deep into your soul and heart that you want to press it close to your chest and let no one else near it, lest they understand your demons.
This is the later one of those books. It drops you dead into the middle of the story, with no thoughtful exposition to explain everything and if you don't have the curiosity to follow it through, after saying to yourself what the hell is going on, then it cares not one iota about leaving you behind. But if you follow, and if you keep reading, it drops clues and hints and even not so subtle inferences of the story beneath the story but you're so eager to ignore them because finally, finally, you're beginning to understand. But you don't want to understand, so you ignore the clues and the connections. It's one of those stories where you physically feel a pain in your chest from your heart breaking. It's one of those stories where you deny it all...this can't possibly be where this story is going, clearly the tears streaming down my cheeks are blurring the real story.
I have a habit of copying down quotes from books that strike me as particular beautiful or that are something that I can completely relate to. The number of sentences, paragraphs,...pages...that I highlighted in this book were unreal. This is a beautiful wrought tale that spans generations and weaves a dreamlike tragedy in the most horrifically wonderful of ways. This is a story that stays with you for years after you read it. It's gorgeous, and haunting, and hopeful. It is a book you want to press into the hands of everyone you meet but at the same time, it's so precious and it burrows so deep into your soul and heart that you want to press it close to your chest and let no one else near it, lest they understand your demons.
I started reading this book almost 4 hours ago and the first chapters were like "bueh" since there were too many characters and names and timelines. And now it's almost 3 am, the book is finished and I am crying with goosebumps and willing to re-read it in the near future. A heartbreaking, mind blowing masterpiece
I'll be honest--it took be a while to get into this book, and I was seriously considering putting it down at some point, a felling that I basically never get, which is why I docked a star. The beginning could have definitely been stronger. But once I finally got into the story, I was amazed by it's brilliant intricacy. The writing style itself is a bit simple, but everything comes together beautifully. Ultimately, despite its confusing beginning, Jellicoe Road is the sort of book that slaps you in the face once you finish reading it, leaving you in a dazed shock for hours.
I can't review this properly right now I'm too fucking mind blown and just sad and feeling too many things. But this was such a beautiful story and once again, Melina Marchetta proved that she has a gift and can make me feel more in a few hundred pages than I think I've ever felt in my whole life.
I had a very hard time getting into this book. It was a struggle for me to finish but it definitely had very interesting and thought provoking points.
I almost gave up on this book and I'm so very happy I didn't. The first 100 pages are hard to get through as the backstory builds, but then...oh my this is a heart achingly beautiful read. One of those, "this will stay with me forever," haunt you always, type of stories.
No sé si 4 o 3.5 sobre 5. Me ha gustado pero creo que tendría que releerlo para poder entenderlo completamente...