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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
In a word: predictable. I predicted the ending about sixty pages in advance, and as much as I'd like to flatter myself and think that it's because of my superhuman skills of deduction, it's really because this book is stale and you can see straight through the plot.
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
fast-paced
I read this in fifth grade and forgot about it until now. It was an interesting story, iirc.
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a retelling of supposedly true story where a history teacher tried to teach his students how easy it would be to get sucked into the Nazi movement by creating an elite (fascist) movement at the school complete with a salute and strict rules. He later wrote an essay recalling the experiment, and how caught up in the movement the student body became. I was skeptical but since the internet is a magical place I was able to find a pdf of the 1967 school newspaper with an article written about "The Wave" and Mr Ross's experiment. So, while I am sure the essay and subsequent novel were embellished for the sake of the story, the basic facts are probably true.
Based on this intro, one would assume that the novel is a fictionalized account of the original essay but actually, it was based off the screenplay for an Emmy winning ABC After School special, which was inspired by the essay. With such an imitative history, it should be no surprise that this novel is poorly written. It was a rush job after the success of the made for TV movie and seriously, it is so poorly executed. However, I am still compelled to give it 4 stars because, this book is one of the few American novels that is often required reading in the German school system and is apparently well known in Germany. It is used as an intro to studying WW2 and because of that I found it fascinating and worth reading. I am very interested to hear how my daughter's teacher discusses it.
Based on this intro, one would assume that the novel is a fictionalized account of the original essay but actually, it was based off the screenplay for an Emmy winning ABC After School special, which was inspired by the essay. With such an imitative history, it should be no surprise that this novel is poorly written. It was a rush job after the success of the made for TV movie and seriously, it is so poorly executed. However, I am still compelled to give it 4 stars because, this book is one of the few American novels that is often required reading in the German school system and is apparently well known in Germany. It is used as an intro to studying WW2 and because of that I found it fascinating and worth reading. I am very interested to hear how my daughter's teacher discusses it.
This story of a middle school teacher showing just how easy it is to get swept up in a group is an interesting one. Some cheesy dialog and predictable characters made it less impactful for me (but maybe better for it's intended YA audience?)
The idea is an important one, and I think telling a story set now does a good job of explaining how history has unfolded in similar ways.
The idea is an important one, and I think telling a story set now does a good job of explaining how history has unfolded in similar ways.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Furchteinflößende Thematik besonders in Zeiten wie diesen, in denen Faschismus wieder mehr Raum einnimmt und neue Anhänger dazugewinnt. Tatsächlich hat mir dann aber doch noch irgendwas gefehlt, um die Bedrohung und Eskalation der Situation zu unterstreichen. Dies wurde im dazugehörigen Film ein wenig besser gelöst. Trotz dessen ein lesenswertes Buch. #NeverAgain
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No