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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
I say this without hyperbole: this book has affected me in a way that no other book has. The magic of childhood, and the importance (and struggle) of keeping it alive into adulthood. Powerful, and much to think about and absorb upon completion. I'd recommend this to anyone, regardless of what genres they generally gravitate to.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the best coming of age stories I've ever read. Full of magic, monsters, and all the thrills of childhood mixed up with the terror of growing up.
For me the writing was too descriptive.
I wasn't enjoying the little boys view point, l was becoming annoyed with him making everyone out to be the killer.
4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this coming-of-age story set in the 60's in rural Alabama. Narrated by an 11-year-old boy, it's a peek into the past: riding bikes to get around, Saturday afternoons at the movies, and being best friends with your best dog.
Besides the main mystery of the man in the quarry lake, Cory's story is woven with many other events that keep you reading and daydreaming of a simpler childhood.
Definitely recommend!
I thoroughly enjoyed this coming-of-age story set in the 60's in rural Alabama. Narrated by an 11-year-old boy, it's a peek into the past: riding bikes to get around, Saturday afternoons at the movies, and being best friends with your best dog.
Besides the main mystery of the man in the quarry lake, Cory's story is woven with many other events that keep you reading and daydreaming of a simpler childhood.
Definitely recommend!
I'm not so sure about this one. It kind of was all over the place. The magical realism... just no. It would have been a more powerful story if the focus was a son watching a father struggle to come to terms with a traumatizing event as he himself charts his own course through adolescence. Children grow up thinking their parents have all the answers, have life figured out. It can rock their foundations when they realize their parents can fail, can be frightened, can have a have a hard time moving forward after adversity. A young boy entering adolescence is often times conflicted about his parents anyway, let alone if something life altering befalls the family. But, no. The author chose to make it all whacky with zombie dogs and dinosaurs and steal scenes right out of a Stephen King novella. It was a southern gothic coming of age fantasy mystery and thus messy.
It was better than okay, but could have been so much better, imho.
It was better than okay, but could have been so much better, imho.
I really enjoyed this slow burn mystery. It was just as much about the magic of childhood & growing up as about the mystery of the man in the lake. I loved the characters & reading about all their adventures.
Wow. Just wow. Probably the best book i read this year. Beautiful combination of slice of life, magical realism, and coming of age. Narration was beautiful as well.
The boy in question, is Cory Mackenson. He's an average eleven-year-old in the early 60's, that goes through some not so average events. The descriptions by this author were amazing. I could see every detail in my mind. The characters were lively, and very interesting. I loved the coming of age story with a murder mystery thrown in. This is a book that stays with you long after it's been returned to the shelf. Loved it!