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canadianbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I was totally caught up in this great book. It starts with fifteen-year-old David Case rescuing his one-year-old brother Charlie from tumbling out a window and this incident drives David to recreate himself. He chooses the name Justin, and goes to a thrift shop for a whole new wardrobe. This is where he meets Agnes who helps pick his new look and is one of the new people he meets who has an impact on his life. Another is a new friend at school, Peter, who is smart and nice and provides a wise voice and support.
It is hard to describe the book as it is so very different from most novels. Most of the book is told from Justin's point of view, but we also see glimpses from Agnes, Peter, Charlie and other characters. Justin is also caught up in what he believe fate has in store for him, and fate has a voice as well. This is a great look at teenage angst and the sense that many teens have of being very caught up in themselves.
It is hard to describe the book as it is so very different from most novels. Most of the book is told from Justin's point of view, but we also see glimpses from Agnes, Peter, Charlie and other characters. Justin is also caught up in what he believe fate has in store for him, and fate has a voice as well. This is a great look at teenage angst and the sense that many teens have of being very caught up in themselves.
misssophiereads's review against another edition
3.0
This book was quite different from anything I'd read before, but that definately is a good thing. I'm not quite sure what this book is. Contemporary? Magical realism? No idea. But while I read it I kept thinking of 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' by Neil Gaiman. Not because the story is similar (it's not. It's about as different as it can get), but it had the same atmosphere of 'I'm not quite sure if what's happening is real but I'll just go with it'.
Basically this book is about a boy who is convinced fate is out to get him so he changes his identity in order to hide from it. I really liked the narration and the writing style, even though I felt very distant from the characters. I was very curious to see where they would end up at the end, but I had very little emotional response to their fate. It was still an enjoyable read and I will definately check out Meg Rosoff's other books.
Basically this book is about a boy who is convinced fate is out to get him so he changes his identity in order to hide from it. I really liked the narration and the writing style, even though I felt very distant from the characters. I was very curious to see where they would end up at the end, but I had very little emotional response to their fate. It was still an enjoyable read and I will definately check out Meg Rosoff's other books.
bookstorebinge's review against another edition
1.0
I read this book a while ago for a reading challenge at school, and I really could not get the plot, nor did I enjoy it. Even now I struggle to remember much of the plot other than 1 scene that I found really disturbing and the fact the title is a clever pun on the character who changed his name to Justin Case.
However whilst I really disliked the story, I don't think it was really poorly written like some books I have struggled to read in the past, I think it was just a case of me not enjoying the actual plot.
However whilst I really disliked the story, I don't think it was really poorly written like some books I have struggled to read in the past, I think it was just a case of me not enjoying the actual plot.
satyridae's review against another edition
4.0
The latest from Rosoff, who gave us the astonishing and wonderful How I Live Now, is both disturbing and amusing. The young protagonist, Justin, may be dealing with a mental illness or may in fact be the pawn of a personified Fate who interjects narrative bits every now and then. Hypnotic, engaging, and well-written.
bluedilly's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
debshelf's review against another edition
4.0
In my opinion, Meg Rosoff's novels have been unfairly categorized as young adult literature. While it's true that her protagonists are usually children or teenagers, the complexity of her characters and the beauty inherent in her wording serve to place her writing significantly above that of many popular young adult authors. I read this book immediately after reading Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver and the intellectual and emotional distance between these two novels is significant.
I haven't yet read The Book Thief, but from what others have said I would consider Rosoff to be in the same league as Zusak. I wish every author of young adult fiction would read Rosoff's novels to see that there can be exquisite beauty and depth in something written primarily for younger readers.
I haven't yet read The Book Thief, but from what others have said I would consider Rosoff to be in the same league as Zusak. I wish every author of young adult fiction would read Rosoff's novels to see that there can be exquisite beauty and depth in something written primarily for younger readers.
invisiblesimmer's review against another edition
2.0
I read this a few years ago, probably before I was old enough to understand what was happening in the book. I have always said that this was the weirdest book I have ever read. However, now that I am older, I hope to read it again, and maybe understand the story line better.
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