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mirandareddekopp's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sjgomzi's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This was pretty amazing. I’m a sucker for coming of age tales like Robert McCammon’s Boy’s Life and Stephen King’s The Body, and this one can sit proudly in the company of those two books-two of my favorites of all time. A real world story with a fairy tale feel to it. Denny, the main character, will tug at your heart, and you’ll be completely swept up in his world and the sad circumstances in which he lives, and like me, you’ll want everything to turn out alright. This was perfect. Not a single wasted word, and I may have even shed a tear when it was all over. My highest recommendation!
dnemec's review against another edition
5.0
Denny has a rough life. After his father died, his mother has simply sat in her recliner and attempted to drink herself to death. One day, she succeeds. Denny is desperate - he has spent the entire school year preparing for the spelling bee and it's in just 5 days. If he can only keep her death a secret for a little while, he'll still be able to compete...
This was great. You can't help but feel for Denny after all he's been through, and hope that he can make it to the spelling bee. I liked this novella so much - a story so sweet that not even the smell of decomp could tarnish it.
This was great. You can't help but feel for Denny after all he's been through, and hope that he can make it to the spelling bee. I liked this novella so much - a story so sweet that not even the smell of decomp could tarnish it.
stephanieskillicorn's review
5.0
If this book was not recommended to me, I probably would never have picked it up but this was such an amazing, oddly beautiful, quick read!! Such an interesting plot that sounds silly but he does a great job at making you believe it. There is only one real deep character development since its such a short book, but even with that, through the lens of the MC, you are rooting for him! I also loved how he described basic elements in such a beautiful and poetic way
scervantes2323's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
liznannigans's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
itadakinasu's review
5.0
This book has one of the cheesiest titles ever, but don't let that stop you from reading this messed up, amazing little book.
Lutzke has become one of my favorite authors recently (and by accident). I love his writing style and how it subtly shifts to fit the context of each story he tells.
At first, I wasn't sure about this one. The main character is just a 6th grader, but somehow he spouts nuggets of wisdom incomprehensible to children his age. Not to mention that he has a master vocabulary befitting a college professor rather than a grade-school kid. However, this grew on me as we learn that he loves reading as an escape from his terrible home life, and he's studying to prepare for a spelling bee.
The longer I read, the more deeply I could notice the brilliance in Lutzke's writing. The main character's inner monologue reads like an adult's sometimes. As you read, you can notice that it sounds like passages from various classics intermixed with age appropriate (although more advanced than average) thoughts/feelings.
The pacing was a little slow in some parts compared to the shock and horror that is the theme in this story, but I still felt that the MC was able to achieve significant character development in that short time. Best of all, I felt satisfied with the ending!
Lutzke has become one of my favorite authors recently (and by accident). I love his writing style and how it subtly shifts to fit the context of each story he tells.
At first, I wasn't sure about this one. The main character is just a 6th grader, but somehow he spouts nuggets of wisdom incomprehensible to children his age. Not to mention that he has a master vocabulary befitting a college professor rather than a grade-school kid. However, this grew on me as we learn that he loves reading as an escape from his terrible home life, and he's studying to prepare for a spelling bee.
The longer I read, the more deeply I could notice the brilliance in Lutzke's writing. The main character's inner monologue reads like an adult's sometimes. As you read, you can notice that it sounds like passages from various classics intermixed with age appropriate (although more advanced than average) thoughts/feelings.
The pacing was a little slow in some parts compared to the shock and horror that is the theme in this story, but I still felt that the MC was able to achieve significant character development in that short time. Best of all, I felt satisfied with the ending!
reads_vicariously's review
5.0
Shining a light in a dark place
I had zero expectations going into this book, and I think that's the best way to go. This is a different kind of horror story; one about repressed grief, loneliness, uncertainty, and absent parents. But it's also a heartfelt tale of one young boy finding hope, gratitude, and friendship in his darkest moments. I don't want to say much more for fear of spoiling anything.
I love coming-of-age stories and this one was fantastic! It's short (about an hour read), but it will stay with you long after you're done. This is my first time reading Chad Lutzke and I can't wait to dig into his other works!
I had zero expectations going into this book, and I think that's the best way to go. This is a different kind of horror story; one about repressed grief, loneliness, uncertainty, and absent parents. But it's also a heartfelt tale of one young boy finding hope, gratitude, and friendship in his darkest moments. I don't want to say much more for fear of spoiling anything.
I love coming-of-age stories and this one was fantastic! It's short (about an hour read), but it will stay with you long after you're done. This is my first time reading Chad Lutzke and I can't wait to dig into his other works!
rheynir's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kinzythefreak's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0