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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Quick read offering the bully's perspective from the novel Wonder.
I never liked Julian in the story of Auggie, nor do I like his mother, but this version of events, although at times repetitive, I appreciate especially from Paris onwards, when we meet with the grandmother of the bully. It has been mostly a pleasure to come back to greet old friends of Wonder, who somehow always manage to soften my existence.
Julian non mi è mai piaciuto nella storia di Auggie, né mi piaceva sua madre, ma questa versione dei fatti, per quanto a tratti ripetitiva, non mi é dispiaciuta, soprattutto da Parigi in poi, quando facciamo conoscenza con la nonna del bulletto. E´stato soprattutto un piacere tornare a salutare i vecchi amici di Wonder, che in qualche modo riescono sempre ad addolcire la mia esistenza.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN'S FOR THE PREVIEW!
Julian non mi è mai piaciuto nella storia di Auggie, né mi piaceva sua madre, ma questa versione dei fatti, per quanto a tratti ripetitiva, non mi é dispiaciuta, soprattutto da Parigi in poi, quando facciamo conoscenza con la nonna del bulletto. E´stato soprattutto un piacere tornare a salutare i vecchi amici di Wonder, che in qualche modo riescono sempre ad addolcire la mia esistenza.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN'S FOR THE PREVIEW!
I wish I had read this soon after finishing Wonder, so that I could remember more clearly the details from Auggie's point of view. It's an interesting take to show the point of view of the bully, and all of the complications that come with it (justification, remorse, enabling parents, etc). Loved grandmere's story- it really made the book for me.
After reading Wonder, I really wanted to read The Julian Chapter since it introduces the storyline of the book/ new movie White Bird. If you enjoyed Auggie’s story in Wonder, this is a great follow-up. I was skeptical that I could feel anything but disgust for the character Julian, but this little story was very well done and was a story of how sometimes people just straight up make mistakes, but they don’t have to define you; even your worst personal moments can be used for positive growth if you’re willing to take responsibility for them and make a change.
It's been a couple of years since my reading of Wonder, but I remember loving it. Reading this chapter from Julian's perspective (he's the bully in the book) makes me want to read the book again.
Julian finally realizes the errors in his behavior while staying with his grandmother in France. He learns that she was saved once by someone that frightened her. Julian also learns that he was named after that young man.
A great addition to the world of Wonder.
Julian finally realizes the errors in his behavior while staying with his grandmother in France. He learns that she was saved once by someone that frightened her. Julian also learns that he was named after that young man.
A great addition to the world of Wonder.
I picked up White Bird before ever reading any of the Wonder books so I already knew parts of this story. However, that did not take away from reading this story. After reading Wonder, I appreciate this addition to the series. Reading things from Julian's point of view didn't make up for all of the things that he did. However, it does make you see him in a different way. I hope that all people who have felt like Julian and done things similar to him have moments where they see things in a different way.
I had planned on not writing reviews for the Wonder novellas because I just wanted to read them and enjoy them.
But The Julian Chapter forced me to write a review about it. And that's how awesome it was. I can't not write about it. I just have to.
I love how Julian goes through the journey from being an absolutely stupid kid to a boy who understands and owns up to his mistakes.
The transformation of Julian from a bully to a normal kid is, well, inspiring. It's short, but so full of meaning.
I'm glad the author decided to write it and gave Julian a chance to redeem himself.
But The Julian Chapter forced me to write a review about it. And that's how awesome it was. I can't not write about it. I just have to.
I love how Julian goes through the journey from being an absolutely stupid kid to a boy who understands and owns up to his mistakes.
The transformation of Julian from a bully to a normal kid is, well, inspiring. It's short, but so full of meaning.
I'm glad the author decided to write it and gave Julian a chance to redeem himself.
This added a really interesting dimension to the original story. I'm glad it wasn't included, as I don't know that it really fits with the rest of the book, but I'm glad it was published all the same. Things from Julian's perspective are interesting. It definitely didn't absolve him in any way, he was still a bully, but you can see how his parents really didn't help the situation at all. There was a lot of blame to go around (though the Albans family blamed everyone but themselves). I was very moved by the grandmother's story, I thought it was an fascinating addition to the story. I also thought it was noteworthy that the author chose to make both the bully and the bullied part-Jewish, though that wasn't so big a part of the original story.
The bully's perspective was missing from the original book, Wonder, so it's great that Ms Palacio has taken time and care to give readers the insights to Julian's version of events. His parents are pretty awful, mostly concerned with their own reputation and status and not particularly bothered by their son's poor ethics and atrocious behaviour. It's not until Julian spends the summer with his straight-talking French grandmother in Paris that he grasps the concept of remorse. The grandmother's personal story, a massive life changing event that took place some 70 years before, was a bit too convenient for my liking, and I also felt it was very implausible her 40-something-year old son didn't know anything about it. The full name of the "Tourteau" was also a bit much... please.... so contrived. I actually feel I have to deduct a star for that level of cheesiness. Apart from that, a very satisfying complimentary story to a terrific book.
