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millionbucks's review against another edition
some good parts and some bad parts. i definitely have criticisms …
ellibelly's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
I have seen negative reviews calling this book “dull” or “uneventful”. I would prefer to describe it as “calm”. There are moments that pull at the heartstrings, but Precious Cargo is a light story of self reflection, human connection, and laughter.
The excerpts from Davidson’s unpublished novel “Seekers” were slightly jarring. I understand their purpose, but I found myself skimming through them just to get back to the main story.
The excerpts from Davidson’s unpublished novel “Seekers” were slightly jarring. I understand their purpose, but I found myself skimming through them just to get back to the main story.
I cannot speak to Davidson’s representation of disability. I trust, however, that it is true to his perspective and how he viewed and interacted with his kids, for better or for worse.
Ultimately, Precious Cargo is a worthwhile read, rewarding in a way which I imagine mirrors Davidson’s own experience driving Bus 3077. I am glad to have read this book, but i don’t see myself picking it back up any time soon, if at all.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
dessa's review
3.0
An interesting slice of life, but also about as sappy as you’d expect. I think I wanted more than the same old “we’re all made out of oxygen and hydrogen atoms” rhetoric.
gr33nb00ks's review
3.0
A really heartfelt read, although for the this years Canada Reads 2018 theme of 'Books to Open your Eyes' I feel like this book doesn't quite fit. I say this because I feel like if your ignorant enough to never have experienced kids with special needs or you have ableism, you should really get your head out of your own ass more.
That being said I feel like this subject matter could get really heated in the debates, especially because this book is a memoir, so it's definitely a strong contender.
That being said I feel like this subject matter could get really heated in the debates, especially because this book is a memoir, so it's definitely a strong contender.
derrickmitchell's review
4.0
I came to Craig Davidson through his Stephen King-ish book The Troop about a Boy Scout troop fighting against a zombie-ish monster on a island off PEI. I liked the book and found out he also writes literary fiction about boxers and Canada. This book about his experience driving a school bus for special needs kids hit my radar, as it was something my dad did for a while. To my surprise the events take place in Calgary around the same time my dad was driving. I wonder if they ever crossed paths or drove each other’s kids.
The book is good, but there are some weird choices like including chapters of a novel, I initially thought one of his students was writing. But I really enjoyed getting to know the kids in his bus and their stories and how they intersected with his.
The book is good, but there are some weird choices like including chapters of a novel, I initially thought one of his students was writing. But I really enjoyed getting to know the kids in his bus and their stories and how they intersected with his.
kristakruger's review against another edition
5.0
You aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, yet I did exactly that when I picked this book up. The colours and fun little image on the cover intrigued me. Thankfully, my first impression was not wrong.
Craig Davidson’s story about the where you find inspiration in your darkest moments is truly heartwarming. The relationships he shares with the children he drives to and from school each day are inspiring. He looks deep inside these special needs children and learns a lot about himself in the process.
This book was fun, funny at times and full of insight and inspiration.
“Time is strange and discombobulating. One day we’ll wake up and there won’t be any time left to do the things we always told ourselves we’d do. Time goes on and we go with it, helplessly.”
Craig Davidson’s story about the where you find inspiration in your darkest moments is truly heartwarming. The relationships he shares with the children he drives to and from school each day are inspiring. He looks deep inside these special needs children and learns a lot about himself in the process.
This book was fun, funny at times and full of insight and inspiration.
“Time is strange and discombobulating. One day we’ll wake up and there won’t be any time left to do the things we always told ourselves we’d do. Time goes on and we go with it, helplessly.”