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meggy_weggy_bacon_and_eggy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
elliesjenna's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sofm's review against another edition
2.0
Unpleasant and uncomfortable. I kinda plunged into this book without realizing that it was about a terrorist act.
The characters deserved better, as so many innocent people do.
The characters deserved better, as so many innocent people do.
yodalover8's review against another edition
1.0
CATEGORIES REQUIRED AUTHOR AND AUDIO BOOK
Robert Cormier is a talented writer and story-teller; however, this story was not my favorite (hence the rating). After the First Death is told through multiple narrators, who are all focusing on an event when a school bus full of children was taken hostage by terrorists. Cormier shows us various events through the eyes of one of the younger terrorists, through the eyes of the young bus driver, and through the teenage boy, Ben, the son of military leader who is sent to the terrorists and tortured in order to provide a distraction for the U.S. military to come in and free the hostages. The book has a wonderful premise, but I struggled to get through the book because I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I expected to feel sympathy for all of the narrators, and in reality I mostly felt detached. Then towards the end of the novel the story focuses in completely on Ben and his father. Cormier purposefully adds a lot of ambiguity to the plot, which made it difficult for me to follow. When I reached the last page, I wasn't sure what had just happened.
Though After the First Death was not my favorite book, it does pose some interesting questions. Considering it was published in 1979, it is truly prolific as it talks about the effects of terrorism. As you read the limited backstory of the terrorists, you see that they have been shaped by their environment to believe there is no other way. It forces readers to confront questions like: What elements combine to make a terrorist? Who is responsible for those things? What would push a young person to that type of lifestyle? What are the rippling consequences of our choices? I don't think I would recommend this to a mass audience; I would only suggest it to people who are interested in military matters, the effects of terrorism, or the drama of a hostage situation.
Robert Cormier is a talented writer and story-teller; however, this story was not my favorite (hence the rating). After the First Death is told through multiple narrators, who are all focusing on an event when a school bus full of children was taken hostage by terrorists. Cormier shows us various events through the eyes of one of the younger terrorists, through the eyes of the young bus driver, and through the teenage boy, Ben, the son of military leader who is sent to the terrorists and tortured in order to provide a distraction for the U.S. military to come in and free the hostages. The book has a wonderful premise, but I struggled to get through the book because I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I expected to feel sympathy for all of the narrators, and in reality I mostly felt detached. Then towards the end of the novel the story focuses in completely on Ben and his father. Cormier purposefully adds a lot of ambiguity to the plot, which made it difficult for me to follow. When I reached the last page, I wasn't sure what had just happened.
Though After the First Death was not my favorite book, it does pose some interesting questions. Considering it was published in 1979, it is truly prolific as it talks about the effects of terrorism. As you read the limited backstory of the terrorists, you see that they have been shaped by their environment to believe there is no other way. It forces readers to confront questions like: What elements combine to make a terrorist? Who is responsible for those things? What would push a young person to that type of lifestyle? What are the rippling consequences of our choices? I don't think I would recommend this to a mass audience; I would only suggest it to people who are interested in military matters, the effects of terrorism, or the drama of a hostage situation.
portalley's review against another edition
2.0
After the First death is a typical Cormier book. It follows three different teenagers and their perspective of/their involvement in a school bus hijacking. The book ends on a bleak note, with two of the view point characters dying and the third committing himself to a life of crime and terrorism. The book itself was a fast and enjoyable read. It was fast-paced and I found all the characters very sympathetic--even the bus hijacker. Even though I had anticipated the ending being kind of bleak, I had still hoped for something more conclusive and hopeful. I think people going into this (or any Cormier book, really) should go in with the mentality that it won't have a happy ending and a lot of questions will remain unanswered. While the book deals with a violent event--a bus hijacking isn't a stroll in the park by any means--there are no scenes of gratuitous violence, which I think makes the book an easier read for YA readers who are turned off by excessive violence. The book is by far more psychological than it is physical, though, and sometimes the dark psychology of the book can be more daunting than physical violence.
ifthebook's review against another edition
4.0
This was intense, which only makes sense. I suppose I have some minor complaints in terms of narration, but all-in-all this was a very good book. I highly approve of the ending, and though I wouldn't necessarily have predicted it, I also wouldn't want it any other way. Very, very good.
babyleo's review against another edition
5.0
This review was published on Lost in a Good Book
I found this book in our school library when I was 13 or 14 years old so it would have been 2002 or 2003. I was amazed that this kind of thing could be written in a book. I loved the characters and their story and how they got there. Cormier brought them to life so easily, you understood who they were with only a few words.
I also loved how Cormier didn't shy away from anything but at the same wrote without being too detailed about what was going on. It was a perfect balance of a sensitive topic alongside very restrained graphic content. I don't know whether my views have changed after all these years, I may have to reread it and see if it was as simple as all that but it would be a welcome read.
There are key scenes which have never left me and it is an amazing story about courage and fear and things you can't change no matter what. There were no apologies of what was being written and it was realistic but also suitably held back for the intended audience.
What was interesting too was the points of view offered. Not often do we see the inner workings of those who terrorise and have control in these nasty situations, even more so to get their backstories of how and why they do the horrible things they do, but Cormier does, and he does it well. You don't get sympathetic exactly but it does open your mind. You also get the perspective of those in those situations, as well as those seemingly powerless on the outside. It was a fascinating triangle of seeing the same event from different viewpoints.
It is not for everyone, as I said very touchy topic matter and it isn't the most innocent story around the children involved, but it still a fantastic read and one that stays with you.
I found this book in our school library when I was 13 or 14 years old so it would have been 2002 or 2003. I was amazed that this kind of thing could be written in a book. I loved the characters and their story and how they got there. Cormier brought them to life so easily, you understood who they were with only a few words.
I also loved how Cormier didn't shy away from anything but at the same wrote without being too detailed about what was going on. It was a perfect balance of a sensitive topic alongside very restrained graphic content. I don't know whether my views have changed after all these years, I may have to reread it and see if it was as simple as all that but it would be a welcome read.
There are key scenes which have never left me and it is an amazing story about courage and fear and things you can't change no matter what. There were no apologies of what was being written and it was realistic but also suitably held back for the intended audience.
What was interesting too was the points of view offered. Not often do we see the inner workings of those who terrorise and have control in these nasty situations, even more so to get their backstories of how and why they do the horrible things they do, but Cormier does, and he does it well. You don't get sympathetic exactly but it does open your mind. You also get the perspective of those in those situations, as well as those seemingly powerless on the outside. It was a fascinating triangle of seeing the same event from different viewpoints.
It is not for everyone, as I said very touchy topic matter and it isn't the most innocent story around the children involved, but it still a fantastic read and one that stays with you.
mamimitanaka's review against another edition
4.0
I love this book so much that for years I tried to replicate Robert Cormier's uncomfortably-personal-and-honest stream of consciousness style writing in my own work, but every single time it came out terribly and I realized it was probably because it's nigh impossible to do it as well and skillfully as he does.
Truly one of my favorite novels of all time. I've only read it once, but I don't think I have to read it again to fully grasp how powerful it is for me.
Truly one of my favorite novels of all time. I've only read it once, but I don't think I have to read it again to fully grasp how powerful it is for me.
onionthefirst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mindfullbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5