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mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful story that made me cry on multiple occasions, though there were parts that were a bit lesser.
Meet Cymbeline a boy who has NEVER swum before. Yes, that is quite a shocker to me. I live in a country with tons of water and generally you are taught from early on how to swim. So I was shocked that he couldn't. Later on when we find out what happened I was still wondering why the hell the mother never got her kid to learn how to swim. Here is a BIG spoiler on the ending, so don't click on the spoiler tag.
Instead of being honest about his swimming abilities he lies and so start the events of this book.
Because we can already see that Cymbeline's mom isn't that stable due to whatever happened in the past. She bursts out in crying at times, locks herself up in her room, but what happens at the swimming pool to Cymbeline? It breaks her completely and we see her get further and further adrift. My heart hurt, not just for her, but also for Cymbeline. Because he doesn't have a clue what is going on. He just knows his mom hurts, that she has her moments, that his plushie is important to her.
The author really wrote the what is going on pretty well. Cymbeline is totally oblivious to what is going on and so we as the readers are oblivious to what happens as well. We really go on a journey with Cymbeline as he tries to figure out what is going on with his family, why his mom is this way, what happened to his dad. Thankfully, I was so happy for this, he is not alone in his journey. He gets help from two friends, Veronique (he likes her, really likes her) and another classmate who quickly becomes his friend.
I felt sorry for Cymbeline he had to live with his aunt and uncle and he just doesn't want that. He wants to be with his mom. Plus, his aunt is at times quite distant, his uncle is barely there, and his nephew and niece are totally different from what he remembered.
I had a quick inkling that the marriage between aunt and uncle wasn't exactly a happy one. And I can imagine, he is constantly away leaving her to care for the kids. :| I also knew soon that the lemonade definitely meant something else, especially since it meant for her to hang on the couch all the time.
Things get more hectic as Cymbeline's birthday approaches. His mother disappears and a frantic search begins, Cymbeline gets more stressed and sad, and I was just heartbroken. That poor little boy. My heart broke even further when he said, to a room full of adults and friends, that it was a special day, and they asked why and he told them it was his birthday. I was crying at that moment because it was just so sad. Here we have a little boy, all alone, just wanting his mum, and then he realises what day it is and that he probably won't be with his mom on this special day.
The author really wrote the mystery of what is going on really well. I actually hadn't expected THAT to be what happened, and I do wonder why no one else had the guts to tell him. I get that he is 9 years old, but come on, this is his family. This is important. At least try to tell him. If he doesn't understand you can always explain some more when he is older.
I loved how Cymbeline was written. So many times I wonder if a character is really that age, and it is hard to write little kids, but the author truly wrote a great 9-year old.
I had a laugh how he censored the curse words he heard and put a place/football thing instead of the curse.
Veronique? I was kind of hesitant about this girl, I have had one too many perfect smart girls in books and mostly they are obnoxious and pretentious. However, Veronique? Oh my, I just adore that girl! She was sweet, she was smart, but she NEVER rubbed it in, or made it seem like someone was lesser than her. And boy, that was a relief. She was so sweet towards Cymbeline, though I had a laugh at what she told him when he was still in stress about the whole everyone saw my penis during swimming-experience. And then later on when she asked about kissing. That was just awww and made me laugh!
The only thing I didn't like, and this is truly the only thing, was the disconnection, or at least I would call it that. Near the end of the story we find out what is going on, why his mom is acting the way she did. I was really in the moment in those parts, I was crying when we found out. I was so so sad. However, instead of continuing the story normally we suddenly switch to I don't how long later when Cymbeline is swimming and has had his swimming lessons. And then we switch back to those sad moments again, but sorry, I was out of it. The moment was ruined for me. And that is a shame. We have waited so long for this moment, it is such an important one, and I just don't get why the author thought to just switch to a time after it. It is the one reason why I was considering to rate this book less, but eventually decided not to as the rest of the story was just AMAZING.
Phew, I think I could talk more about this book, but I think I hit most of the points I wanted to discuss. This was an amazing book and I just adored it so so so much. It was a beautiful, heartbreaking book, and really be sure to have tissues at hand when you read this one.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Meet Cymbeline a boy who has NEVER swum before. Yes, that is quite a shocker to me. I live in a country with tons of water and generally you are taught from early on how to swim. So I was shocked that he couldn't. Later on when we find out what happened I was still wondering why the hell the mother never got her kid to learn how to swim. Here is a BIG spoiler on the ending, so don't click on the spoiler tag.
Spoiler
Your other kid drowned, and instead of making sure your other kid who is still alive can swim so the event cannot be repeated, you hide him from swimming lessons, from swimming, from water. You do know that this is just dumb? What do you want to happen? The same events only years later? Dang, if that was my kid and that happened to him, I would have made sure my other kid would know all about swimming. Just to make sure.Instead of being honest about his swimming abilities he lies and so start the events of this book.
Because we can already see that Cymbeline's mom isn't that stable due to whatever happened in the past. She bursts out in crying at times, locks herself up in her room, but what happens at the swimming pool to Cymbeline? It breaks her completely and we see her get further and further adrift. My heart hurt, not just for her, but also for Cymbeline. Because he doesn't have a clue what is going on. He just knows his mom hurts, that she has her moments, that his plushie is important to her.
The author really wrote the what is going on pretty well. Cymbeline is totally oblivious to what is going on and so we as the readers are oblivious to what happens as well. We really go on a journey with Cymbeline as he tries to figure out what is going on with his family, why his mom is this way, what happened to his dad. Thankfully, I was so happy for this, he is not alone in his journey. He gets help from two friends, Veronique (he likes her, really likes her) and another classmate who quickly becomes his friend.
I felt sorry for Cymbeline he had to live with his aunt and uncle and he just doesn't want that. He wants to be with his mom. Plus, his aunt is at times quite distant, his uncle is barely there, and his nephew and niece are totally different from what he remembered.
I had a quick inkling that the marriage between aunt and uncle wasn't exactly a happy one. And I can imagine, he is constantly away leaving her to care for the kids. :| I also knew soon that the lemonade definitely meant something else, especially since it meant for her to hang on the couch all the time.
Things get more hectic as Cymbeline's birthday approaches. His mother disappears and a frantic search begins, Cymbeline gets more stressed and sad, and I was just heartbroken. That poor little boy. My heart broke even further when he said, to a room full of adults and friends, that it was a special day, and they asked why and he told them it was his birthday. I was crying at that moment because it was just so sad. Here we have a little boy, all alone, just wanting his mum, and then he realises what day it is and that he probably won't be with his mom on this special day.
The author really wrote the mystery of what is going on really well. I actually hadn't expected THAT to be what happened, and I do wonder why no one else had the guts to tell him. I get that he is 9 years old, but come on, this is his family. This is important. At least try to tell him. If he doesn't understand you can always explain some more when he is older.
I loved how Cymbeline was written. So many times I wonder if a character is really that age, and it is hard to write little kids, but the author truly wrote a great 9-year old.
I had a laugh how he censored the curse words he heard and put a place/football thing instead of the curse.
Veronique? I was kind of hesitant about this girl, I have had one too many perfect smart girls in books and mostly they are obnoxious and pretentious. However, Veronique? Oh my, I just adore that girl! She was sweet, she was smart, but she NEVER rubbed it in, or made it seem like someone was lesser than her. And boy, that was a relief. She was so sweet towards Cymbeline, though I had a laugh at what she told him when he was still in stress about the whole everyone saw my penis during swimming-experience. And then later on when she asked about kissing. That was just awww and made me laugh!
The only thing I didn't like, and this is truly the only thing, was the disconnection, or at least I would call it that. Near the end of the story we find out what is going on, why his mom is acting the way she did. I was really in the moment in those parts, I was crying when we found out. I was so so sad. However, instead of continuing the story normally we suddenly switch to I don't how long later when Cymbeline is swimming and has had his swimming lessons. And then we switch back to those sad moments again, but sorry, I was out of it. The moment was ruined for me. And that is a shame. We have waited so long for this moment, it is such an important one, and I just don't get why the author thought to just switch to a time after it. It is the one reason why I was considering to rate this book less, but eventually decided not to as the rest of the story was just AMAZING.
Phew, I think I could talk more about this book, but I think I hit most of the points I wanted to discuss. This was an amazing book and I just adored it so so so much. It was a beautiful, heartbreaking book, and really be sure to have tissues at hand when you read this one.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Handles themes of loss and mental illness rather beautifully, with a young hero you root for.
A boy who's never swum has challenged a bully to a swimming race. Of course it's going to go badly. Cymberline's mum has always avoided taking him to pools, he's never known why. But now he's about to have his first lesson at school and it can't possibly go well...
Cymberline Igloo. Best name I've seen for a while. His Dad died when he was young, his Mum clearly still misses him badly, he's trying to get on in school, but a chain of events means he's having to cope with strange new situations and finds new friends in unexpected places. And may find out more about his own family.
The revelations were actually a surprise to me, and rather moving. Very beautifully written as well, as was Cym's mum's fragile state.
There are some great secondary characters as well, with some above-the-stereotype children. Cym is so likeable - mentions of his teddy, his refusal to communicate swear words that others utter ("I can't believe this is CHELSEA WORD, ARSENAL WORD happening!").
Quite a moving story, could upset some younger readers with its mature themes and revelations. But it's a wonderful story and novel that book groups would get a lot from.
Recommended for ages 10-14.
With thanks to the publisher for the sample reading copy.
A boy who's never swum has challenged a bully to a swimming race. Of course it's going to go badly. Cymberline's mum has always avoided taking him to pools, he's never known why. But now he's about to have his first lesson at school and it can't possibly go well...
Cymberline Igloo. Best name I've seen for a while. His Dad died when he was young, his Mum clearly still misses him badly, he's trying to get on in school, but a chain of events means he's having to cope with strange new situations and finds new friends in unexpected places. And may find out more about his own family.
The revelations were actually a surprise to me, and rather moving. Very beautifully written as well, as was Cym's mum's fragile state.
There are some great secondary characters as well, with some above-the-stereotype children. Cym is so likeable - mentions of his teddy, his refusal to communicate swear words that others utter ("I can't believe this is CHELSEA WORD, ARSENAL WORD happening!").
Quite a moving story, could upset some younger readers with its mature themes and revelations. But it's a wonderful story and novel that book groups would get a lot from.
Recommended for ages 10-14.
With thanks to the publisher for the sample reading copy.
dentripdz's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rtnspring's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic book. Picked this up on a whim. I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite being 24 years old. The book picks up on a lot of mature topics such as mental health, divorce, friendships and relationships and surprisingly a little on finance through the lens of a child. I really enjoyed the depth and diversity of characters in this short book and would recommend it to anyone for a light fast paced read.
roses_are_rosa's review against another edition
3.75
Since I hardly ever read middle grade books anymore it took me while to get into the writing style but then I couldn’t put it down. It‘s a very touching story and I enjoyed it a lot. I will say that the last part and the ending was a bit to fantastical for me but other than that it was a really nice read.
mariella_vertaalt's review against another edition
4.0
Heerlijk weekendje ondergedompeld met dit boek!
aliciaxingram's review against another edition
5.0
Such an ambitious narrative and plot for a book aimed at younger readers, but written so beautifully with a tragic comedy that leaves you tearing through every page hungry for answers - just like Cymbeline.
yaleslittlelife's review against another edition
4.0
ein zugleich leichtes und berührendes kinderbuch mit so vielen wichtigen Messages. Werde es definitiv noch mal lesen. Und Fans von „Wunder“ sollten sich das Buch auf alle Fälle mal anschauen :))
ausführliche Rezension:
Cymbeline Iglu ist 9 Jahre alt und ohne seinen Vater aufgewachsen. Eigentlich ist er ein ziemlich beliebter Junge in seiner Klasse, was Sport angeht. Zumindest in Allem außer Schwimmen. Cym ist nämlich noch nie geschwommen und der Tag an dem er das erste Mal schwimmt oder besser gesagt versucht zu schwimmen wird ihm so schnell nicht aus dem Kopf gehen. Dummerweise lässt er sich ohne zu ahnen, was auf ihn zukommen wird, auf ein Wettschwimmen mit einem Klassenkameraden ein. Man könnte jetzt denken, dass er nach dem peinlichen Zwischenfall das Mobbingopfer Nummer 1 ist, aber tatsächlich passiert etwas viel schlimmeres: Seine Mutter ist plötzlich verschwunden wodurch er von einen auf den anderen Tag zu seinem Onkel und seiner Tante ziehen muss. Obwohl er teilweise mit den neuen Umständen zu kämpfen hat, gewinnt er neue Freunde dazu mit denen er zusammen versucht das Familiengeheimnis zu lösen.
Zu allererst möchte ich sagen, dass die Worte „Originell, lustig und tiefgründig schreibt Adam Baron über ein Familiengeheimnis, wahre Freunde und die Überwindung von Angst – für Fans von "Wunder" “ mit denen das Buch beworben wird mich persönlich magisch angezogen haben. Vor allem die Erwähnung des Buches „Wunder“. Ich will die Bücher keinesfalls vergleichen, aber so viel kann ich verraten: Ich bin von „Freischwimmen“ fast so sehr begeistert wie von „Wunder“.
Der Schreibstil ist leicht zu verstehen und vor allem angenehm zu lesen. Das liegt größtenteils daran, dass Cym aus der Ich-Perspektive schreibt und die Leserschaft mit „ihr“ direkt anspricht. Die ersten Sätze des Buches zeigen das ziemlich gut:
„Ihr werdet es nicht glauben. Ich, Cymberline Iglu, bin noch nie geschwommen. Was ihr nicht glauben werdet, ist übrigens das mit dem Schwimmen, nicht wie ich heiße“.
Ich finde diese Art des Schreibens sehr erfrischend und diese sticht definitiv aus der Masse hervor. Cym als Protagonisten finde ich auch sehr sympathisch und es war sehr einfach sich in ihn und seine Gefühle hineinzuversetzen. Das gilt auch für die anderen Charaktere. Obwohl das Buch viele ernste Themen behandelt und durchaus auch traurig ist, hat es mich oft zum Schmunzeln gebracht. .
Abschließend kann ich „Freischwimmen“ allen empfehlen, die sich gerne von einer einer berührenden Familien- und Freundschaftsgeschichte verzaubern lassen wollen.
Was ich noch für erwähnenswert halte ist, dass eine Art 2. Band bereits im Original im Sommer 2019 unter dem Titel „You Won’t Believe This“ erschienen ist, aber unabhängig von „Freischwimmen“ ist.
ausführliche Rezension:
Cymbeline Iglu ist 9 Jahre alt und ohne seinen Vater aufgewachsen. Eigentlich ist er ein ziemlich beliebter Junge in seiner Klasse, was Sport angeht. Zumindest in Allem außer Schwimmen. Cym ist nämlich noch nie geschwommen und der Tag an dem er das erste Mal schwimmt oder besser gesagt versucht zu schwimmen wird ihm so schnell nicht aus dem Kopf gehen. Dummerweise lässt er sich ohne zu ahnen, was auf ihn zukommen wird, auf ein Wettschwimmen mit einem Klassenkameraden ein. Man könnte jetzt denken, dass er nach dem peinlichen Zwischenfall das Mobbingopfer Nummer 1 ist, aber tatsächlich passiert etwas viel schlimmeres: Seine Mutter ist plötzlich verschwunden wodurch er von einen auf den anderen Tag zu seinem Onkel und seiner Tante ziehen muss. Obwohl er teilweise mit den neuen Umständen zu kämpfen hat, gewinnt er neue Freunde dazu mit denen er zusammen versucht das Familiengeheimnis zu lösen.
Zu allererst möchte ich sagen, dass die Worte „Originell, lustig und tiefgründig schreibt Adam Baron über ein Familiengeheimnis, wahre Freunde und die Überwindung von Angst – für Fans von "Wunder" “ mit denen das Buch beworben wird mich persönlich magisch angezogen haben. Vor allem die Erwähnung des Buches „Wunder“. Ich will die Bücher keinesfalls vergleichen, aber so viel kann ich verraten: Ich bin von „Freischwimmen“ fast so sehr begeistert wie von „Wunder“.
Der Schreibstil ist leicht zu verstehen und vor allem angenehm zu lesen. Das liegt größtenteils daran, dass Cym aus der Ich-Perspektive schreibt und die Leserschaft mit „ihr“ direkt anspricht. Die ersten Sätze des Buches zeigen das ziemlich gut:
„Ihr werdet es nicht glauben. Ich, Cymberline Iglu, bin noch nie geschwommen. Was ihr nicht glauben werdet, ist übrigens das mit dem Schwimmen, nicht wie ich heiße“.
Ich finde diese Art des Schreibens sehr erfrischend und diese sticht definitiv aus der Masse hervor. Cym als Protagonisten finde ich auch sehr sympathisch und es war sehr einfach sich in ihn und seine Gefühle hineinzuversetzen. Das gilt auch für die anderen Charaktere. Obwohl das Buch viele ernste Themen behandelt und durchaus auch traurig ist, hat es mich oft zum Schmunzeln gebracht. .
Abschließend kann ich „Freischwimmen“ allen empfehlen, die sich gerne von einer einer berührenden Familien- und Freundschaftsgeschichte verzaubern lassen wollen.
Was ich noch für erwähnenswert halte ist, dass eine Art 2. Band bereits im Original im Sommer 2019 unter dem Titel „You Won’t Believe This“ erschienen ist, aber unabhängig von „Freischwimmen“ ist.
bigbeardedbookseller's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of Cymbeline and his family, Cymbeline is nine-years old and his mother has avoided to teach him to swim in all those years.
Then due to a school trip to the swimming pool the past unfolds itself into the present causing all sorts of problems and heartache.
The exploration of mental health and the accidents that can cause this, along with keeping secrets are shown to be able to pull a family apart make Boy Underwater an important reading for these issues as it approached them honestly and doesn’t trivialise it.
I thought that Adam Baron’s expressive and bold use of fonts and words really helped get the idea of the story unfolding in a nine-year olds head, often bold and frantic the story unfolds at a pace that keeps you gripped until the end of the book.
Loved it!
Then due to a school trip to the swimming pool the past unfolds itself into the present causing all sorts of problems and heartache.
The exploration of mental health and the accidents that can cause this, along with keeping secrets are shown to be able to pull a family apart make Boy Underwater an important reading for these issues as it approached them honestly and doesn’t trivialise it.
I thought that Adam Baron’s expressive and bold use of fonts and words really helped get the idea of the story unfolding in a nine-year olds head, often bold and frantic the story unfolds at a pace that keeps you gripped until the end of the book.
Loved it!