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michellehenriereads's review against another edition
5.0
If you listen to writers talk they discuss an element in a story called 'voice'. I think 'voice' is a little hard to explain, but to me, it's who the character really is jumping off the page. In this case, Alice, the main character, in Furthermore is a precocious 12-year-old girl but she doesn't passively tell others what to do - she is out dancing, searching, screaming, barely putting on her clothes, and wishing for more than she's been allotted. Alice (reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland) has fabulous 'voice'.
The second 'voice' in this book that takes center stage is the omniscient author. This voice gives us little asides like 'dear friend', or 'I didn't want to tell you', or 'Oliver Says I'm Terrible At Chapter Headings'. It's been used in a charming way and not over-done, so I was very pleased.
Oliver is a pickle of a boy: he lies, he manipulates others, did I mention he lies? So, why do we like him? He's insecure and actually wants to do good. In Alice, he finds the friend that he needed.
The world building is colorful, rich, daring, and nutters. From a ruler that measures the time you're allowed to have while traveling, to origami foxes that might accidentally have your arm turn to paper and get ripped off, to houses made of large eggs (we no idea how large the creature is that laid them), you are bound to be entertained. There were moments that felt reminiscent of The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Furthermore is strange and wonderful.
In conclusion, I believe you will want more of Furthermore and even more.
If you love Furthermore try The Marvelous Adventures of Gwenolyn Gray by B. A. Williamson and Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill.
The second 'voice' in this book that takes center stage is the omniscient author. This voice gives us little asides like 'dear friend', or 'I didn't want to tell you', or 'Oliver Says I'm Terrible At Chapter Headings'. It's been used in a charming way and not over-done, so I was very pleased.
Oliver is a pickle of a boy: he lies, he manipulates others, did I mention he lies? So, why do we like him? He's insecure and actually wants to do good. In Alice, he finds the friend that he needed.
The world building is colorful, rich, daring, and nutters. From a ruler that measures the time you're allowed to have while traveling, to origami foxes that might accidentally have your arm turn to paper and get ripped off, to houses made of large eggs (we no idea how large the creature is that laid them), you are bound to be entertained. There were moments that felt reminiscent of The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Furthermore is strange and wonderful.
In conclusion, I believe you will want more of Furthermore and even more.
If you love Furthermore try The Marvelous Adventures of Gwenolyn Gray by B. A. Williamson and Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill.
holdenehlinger's review against another edition
4.0
Middle grade isn’t my favorite, but I’m a big fan of Tahereh Mafi and so i enjoyed this. There were so many quotes in this that i really loved, I just love Mafi’s writing.
-> “Don’t talk to strangers, Mother had always said—especially strange men. Being afraid meant it was okay to forget your manners. If you’re afraid, you never have to be nice. Do you understand?”
-> “Mother often said that she could never be bothered to understand why Alice did the things she did, and now, more than ever, Alice thought never being bothered was a very lazy way to love someone.”
-> “Don’t talk to strangers, Mother had always said—especially strange men. Being afraid meant it was okay to forget your manners. If you’re afraid, you never have to be nice. Do you understand?”
-> “Mother often said that she could never be bothered to understand why Alice did the things she did, and now, more than ever, Alice thought never being bothered was a very lazy way to love someone.”
samiemiami's review against another edition
5.0
This book is going to stick with me for awhile. It was a beautifully vivid book
truequeenofchaos's review against another edition
3.0
Tahereh Mafi is clearly very talented at writing middle-grade, and I look forward to anymore books that she'll write in the genre. The characters were all very enjoyable and showed a lot of growth and development as the story progressed. The world-building was phenomenal, but as for the world itself, it wasn't very original. While there were several unique things about the story such as the Surrendering of talents and the origami village, the majority of the story was just a less fun version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
GRADING SCALE
Characters - 14/20
Plot line - 12/16
Originality - 10/16
Writing Style - 14/16
Pace - 9/16
Ending - 14/16
73/100
3/5 stars
Furthermore would be a great novel for young readers. It discusses self-image, family, friendship, and having confidence in yourself.
GRADING SCALE
Characters - 14/20
Plot line - 12/16
Originality - 10/16
Writing Style - 14/16
Pace - 9/16
Ending - 14/16
73/100
3/5 stars
Furthermore would be a great novel for young readers. It discusses self-image, family, friendship, and having confidence in yourself.
angelreadsfantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Gave huge Alice in wonderland vibes (doesn't help that the main charater is also named Alice). The writing was really good; it really felt like twelve-year-olds during the whole story.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
A very lush, colorful, and wonderful book of magic. If you like a good quest and an Alice in Wonderland vibe, this is your book!
smittenforfiction's review against another edition
4.0
Furthermore is an imaginative Middle Grade Fantasy novel written by Tahereh Maf, New York Times and USA Today best selling author. The whimsical words, character and environment descriptions all helped to build an amazing world that would host the story of Alice, a twelve year old colourless girl in a colour-filled world. Like many of us, Alice feels like she doesn't belong, and struggles to fit in.
Alice has been collecting bangles to wear on her arms and legs for over three years, thirty eight months to be exact - one bangle for every day since her father left. Alice Queensmeadow teams up with Oliver Newbanks to help him with his task he was assigned after his Surrender. He agrees that if she helps him, then he will help her find her father. Alice leaves her mother and three triplet brothers to go on an adventure with the boy she doesn't really like all that much, Oliver, who has the gift of persuasion, and the ability to know the most private secret of every person he meets. However, Alice has made a bond - as long as she doesn't tell a lie, she would never be fooled. Together they travel to an strange land called Furthermore.
Alice has been collecting bangles to wear on her arms and legs for over three years, thirty eight months to be exact - one bangle for every day since her father left. Alice Queensmeadow teams up with Oliver Newbanks to help him with his task he was assigned after his Surrender. He agrees that if she helps him, then he will help her find her father. Alice leaves her mother and three triplet brothers to go on an adventure with the boy she doesn't really like all that much, Oliver, who has the gift of persuasion, and the ability to know the most private secret of every person he meets. However, Alice has made a bond - as long as she doesn't tell a lie, she would never be fooled. Together they travel to an strange land called Furthermore.
lilyjoyner's review against another edition
5.0
This was so cute! I love the world! I’m very excited to read the companion novel!
eni_se's review against another edition
4.0
Furthermore is an enchanting book. It leaves you with a sensation of warmness, of giddiness after you finish it. It’s a happy, whimsical and optimistic book. It’s a good story to get lost in if you’re trying to escape a bad day.
Rarely in my life have I read such a fascinating, clever, dream-like world like the one in this book. Fans of Alice in Wonderland will probably like it. Though Furthermore has its own unique flavor. It’s just full of surprises in every turn and it’s delightful every time as you follow the two main characters and their adventures. Besides, the writing itself is on point. It's fantastical and inventive without ever bordering on pointlessly flowery prose (and I cannot tell you how much I thank the author for that.) It's unique, just like this world and this book.
The story itself feels very cheerful and unusual (despite some dark things going down at times), and it’s such a refreshing thing to encounter among this recent obsession for gritty, dark books devoid of hope and fun. Because you know why I love books so much? Because when you read you travel to other worlds, countries and places other people dream of; you live a thousand lives and solve mysteries and meet many friends along the way, you learn both useless things and life-changing things. This book reminded me of why I read.
I want to read books that inspire me, intrigue me, challenge me, that leave me thinking; good books. And this is a good book. Maybe it's not for everyone (it’s middle grade, so keep that in mind), but you have to judge it for its own merits.
Furthermore is a beautifully written quirky story, about friendship and self-acceptance and love in general, and I definitely recommend it.
Rarely in my life have I read such a fascinating, clever, dream-like world like the one in this book. Fans of Alice in Wonderland will probably like it. Though Furthermore has its own unique flavor. It’s just full of surprises in every turn and it’s delightful every time as you follow the two main characters and their adventures. Besides, the writing itself is on point. It's fantastical and inventive without ever bordering on pointlessly flowery prose (and I cannot tell you how much I thank the author for that.) It's unique, just like this world and this book.
The story itself feels very cheerful and unusual (despite some dark things going down at times), and it’s such a refreshing thing to encounter among this recent obsession for gritty, dark books devoid of hope and fun. Because you know why I love books so much? Because when you read you travel to other worlds, countries and places other people dream of; you live a thousand lives and solve mysteries and meet many friends along the way, you learn both useless things and life-changing things. This book reminded me of why I read.
I want to read books that inspire me, intrigue me, challenge me, that leave me thinking; good books. And this is a good book. Maybe it's not for everyone (it’s middle grade, so keep that in mind), but you have to judge it for its own merits.
Furthermore is a beautifully written quirky story, about friendship and self-acceptance and love in general, and I definitely recommend it.