Scan barcode
thearosemary's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
Finding Violet Park was an offbeat, fictional read with a hint of mystery. It provided an interesting storyline and realistic characters, however I have a few reservations about this book.
Firstly, I felt as though the book was not fully edited. There seemed to be missing commas, but I'm not sure if this style was supposed to be read this way. Either way, I'm sad to say I didn't enjoy the writing.
With this kind of style, I was not able to attain too much of an emotional connection to the characters. They held the traits of real people--both negative and positive qualities--but I didn't feel too attached to anybody.
This was a good, quick read with a unique storyline. I admire the way the story was wrapped up and the manner certain topics were touched upon.
Finding Violet Park was an offbeat, fictional read with a hint of mystery. It provided an interesting storyline and realistic characters, however I have a few reservations about this book.
Firstly, I felt as though the book was not fully edited. There seemed to be missing commas, but I'm not sure if this style was supposed to be read this way. Either way, I'm sad to say I didn't enjoy the writing.
With this kind of style, I was not able to attain too much of an emotional connection to the characters. They held the traits of real people--both negative and positive qualities--but I didn't feel too attached to anybody.
This was a good, quick read with a unique storyline. I admire the way the story was wrapped up and the manner certain topics were touched upon.
aotora's review against another edition
5.0
2022
Rereading this book 2 years after I originally read it... and I still love it. It's one of my absolutely favourite books. I love how the main character speaks and acts like a kid, but we get to see him grow over the course of the story and stop worshipping his dad, and seeing him for who he was. And I love that it touched on the topic of assisted suicide, that's a bold topic to touch in a kid's book. I also love the ending of this one where he finally finds his dad but instead of getting this perfect great reunion and they lived happily ever after skipping around the field full of flowers he rejects his dad and instead chooses to show him that he is dead to him now. It's a unique and different ending for sure.
2020
I remember seeing this book at the library years ago, but never picking it up for some reason.
I finally decided to do it, and I loved it. The story is short and sweet, the characters are interesting. The conflict and the entire story is unique and I really enjoyed the writing style. It was a nice, sweet, short coming of age story with an unexpected supernatural twist.
Rereading this book 2 years after I originally read it... and I still love it. It's one of my absolutely favourite books. I love how the main character speaks and acts like a kid, but we get to see him grow over the course of the story and stop worshipping his dad, and seeing him for who he was. And I love that it touched on the topic of assisted suicide, that's a bold topic to touch in a kid's book. I also love the ending of this one where he finally finds his dad but instead of getting this perfect great reunion and they lived happily ever after skipping around the field full of flowers he rejects his dad and instead chooses to show him that he is dead to him now. It's a unique and different ending for sure.
2020
I remember seeing this book at the library years ago, but never picking it up for some reason.
I finally decided to do it, and I loved it. The story is short and sweet, the characters are interesting. The conflict and the entire story is unique and I really enjoyed the writing style. It was a nice, sweet, short coming of age story with an unexpected supernatural twist.
aliceburtonn's review against another edition
3.0
The writing style really confused me, I wasn't sure if the main character Lucas had a disability as he is seen mumbling to himself and dressing strangely. The writing bared some resemblance to the Curious Incident with lots of passages written like lists or interviews etc. however in the book the boy is seen to be very mature and 'normal' talking about 'shagging', 'getting high' and girls.
There were elements of the book I liked, I laughed out loud at parts, the ending was genius and changed my attitude to the entire book, and it shows a 'nuclear family' and discusses grief, cancer, alcoholism which I think are important things to write about.
Overall it was a quick, simple read. The storyline was quite basic and it doesn't require lots of insight. The writing style was strange and didn't correlate with the character, but there were a few clever comments added in.
There were elements of the book I liked, I laughed out loud at parts, the ending was genius and changed my attitude to the entire book, and it shows a 'nuclear family' and discusses grief, cancer, alcoholism which I think are important things to write about.
Overall it was a quick, simple read. The storyline was quite basic and it doesn't require lots of insight. The writing style was strange and didn't correlate with the character, but there were a few clever comments added in.
oceanebooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
orndal's review against another edition
5.0
So after reading "Fire Colour One", I wanted to know if that was just a one-off, or if Jenny Valentine had other books worth reading. And the answer is YES. YES SHE DOES. If you're wondering what her books are like? It's like John Green and Rainbow Rowell and the authour of "The Curious Incident in The Night-Time" that i don't remember the name of all cooperated to write an amazing, mind-blowing book. And that was exactly what "Finding Violet Park" was to me.
At first I thought it was about some depressed teenage girl who met a perfect teenage boy who struggled to put together the missing pieces to realize why she was the way she was - but it wasn't. I won't say anything, because i morally disagree with spoilers, but this book was amazing. I actually laughed out loud so hard that the lady next to me on the bus moved seats.
I listened to the audiobook, and narrated by Gareth Cassidy, this book certainly is an adventure. Audiobook or paperback - Experience this story. Because after reading it, my way of thinking has changed.
At first I thought it was about some depressed teenage girl who met a perfect teenage boy who struggled to put together the missing pieces to realize why she was the way she was - but it wasn't. I won't say anything, because i morally disagree with spoilers, but this book was amazing. I actually laughed out loud so hard that the lady next to me on the bus moved seats.
I listened to the audiobook, and narrated by Gareth Cassidy, this book certainly is an adventure. Audiobook or paperback - Experience this story. Because after reading it, my way of thinking has changed.
msinformation's review against another edition
4.0
Yes you do have to take the huge coincidences in stride but this was a quick, nice read. There are some mild references to smoking pot and condoms so if a parent is looking for a "clean" read, they might not be too keen on this.
maidmarianlib's review
3.0
Very interesting first novel. Has an interesting premise and works out the emotional components really well but the ending is week. Note that some content may not be suitable for all readers. Released April 1, 2008
luckyluc27's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, This book is... ok. I quite enjoyed reading it but it wasn’t that special/amazing nor would I really recommend it