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contemporarymeepsie's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Hideaway tells the story of Billy McKenna, a young teenage boy who runs away from home as he can't cope with the fighting anymore. He slips away one night to his hideaway, a pillbox hidden under ivy in All Soul's Graveyard.
I read this pretty immediately after reading Pam Smy's first book, Thornhill. In comparison I don't think this one held up as well as her first. But I still enjoyed reading it. I just thought the story was a little basic and the illustrations didn't really add to the story like they did with Thornhill. Now don't get me wrong, the illustrations were beautiful and I particularly liked the images for the crescendo of the story but the narrative was predictable and a little pedestrian. I wish it had been a bit more believable. But I enjoyed my time and it was an easy read at least.
I read this pretty immediately after reading Pam Smy's first book, Thornhill. In comparison I don't think this one held up as well as her first. But I still enjoyed reading it. I just thought the story was a little basic and the illustrations didn't really add to the story like they did with Thornhill. Now don't get me wrong, the illustrations were beautiful and I particularly liked the images for the crescendo of the story but the narrative was predictable and a little pedestrian. I wish it had been a bit more believable. But I enjoyed my time and it was an easy read at least.
storymi's review against another edition
4.0
10+. Getipt in de grote vriendelijke podcast. Verhaal over huiselijk geweld met een originele twist. Zeker wel een aanrader.
ella_1536's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
sajberblomma's review against another edition
5.0
Halvvägs in i boken rullar stora blöta tårar nedför mina kinder, för ingen kan författa en så gripande berättelse som Pam Smy. Precis som [b:Thornhill|28107168|Thornhill|Pam Smy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498912030l/28107168._SX50_.jpg|48113811] är Gömstället en fantastisk skapelse, om än tragisk, som får läsaren att pendla mellan hopp och förtvivlan.
Verkligen en läsupplevelse utöver det vanliga. Måste läsas!
Verkligen en läsupplevelse utöver det vanliga. Måste läsas!
mat_tobin's review
5.0
*I was sent a proof copy by the publisher*
Having read [b:Thornhill|28107168|Thornhill|Pam Smy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498912030l/28107168._SX50_.jpg|48113811] and loved Smy's fusion between written narrative and graphic novel style, I was very happy to read The Hideaway. Although it also touches on sensitive topics, the focus here is on a young teenage boy who runs away from home when no longer being able to cope with watching his mother being domestically abused by her partner. This is something that has gone on for years and Billy, feeling utterly powerless, runs off to the local cemetery where he finds an ivy-laden pillbox and takes camp.
What follows then is a series of narratives from a range of characters who are involved in the story in a variety of ways. Together they begin to unravel Billy's story...and his mum's and everything comes together in a beautiful, unearthly ending pure and touching and full of hope. It's a stunning second novel from Pam Smy.
Having read [b:Thornhill|28107168|Thornhill|Pam Smy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498912030l/28107168._SX50_.jpg|48113811] and loved Smy's fusion between written narrative and graphic novel style, I was very happy to read The Hideaway. Although it also touches on sensitive topics, the focus here is on a young teenage boy who runs away from home when no longer being able to cope with watching his mother being domestically abused by her partner. This is something that has gone on for years and Billy, feeling utterly powerless, runs off to the local cemetery where he finds an ivy-laden pillbox and takes camp.
What follows then is a series of narratives from a range of characters who are involved in the story in a variety of ways. Together they begin to unravel Billy's story...and his mum's and everything comes together in a beautiful, unearthly ending pure and touching and full of hope. It's a stunning second novel from Pam Smy.
babymeow's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
daniel1501's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
5.0