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katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I've recently read A Fraction of the Whole, and I was reminded of that through this short novel, Zusak's debut, both Australian with some similar themes and plot strands. I sourced this after discovering the Underdog series marked his debut in the literary world and was interested in how he started out. His introduction leaves us in no doubt - he knew his first work wasn't going to be his best.
It's not. But it does show where a writer began to hone his craft. A story of two teenage brothers, their family and their misdeeds, Cameron and Ruben Wolfe don't always make the best choices. They've been talking about staging a robbery for ages, and finally they are about to go through with it... But it doesn't work out that way.
Cameron narrates the story, and having just finished I Am the Messenger, I can see how that much more structured and layerered story connects with the Wolfe brothers and came from the writing of this - the first scenes of both books were similar in tone and content, the characters of rudderless young men not so different either.
This is a more immature work that for me, felt like it didn't have as much craft, as much of a voice or a point. There were too many dreams for my liking, and it doens't stand out from the crowd of similiar YA books there are out there. It's interest lies mainly in fans and those interested in the evolution of a writer taking a peek at where the author of The Book Thief began.
Short (only 3 CDs so a sub-200 page read), well-read by the narrator, I don't know if I'll want to read further adventures of the Wolfe brothers, but fascinating to see a writer's early work.
I've recently read A Fraction of the Whole, and I was reminded of that through this short novel, Zusak's debut, both Australian with some similar themes and plot strands. I sourced this after discovering the Underdog series marked his debut in the literary world and was interested in how he started out. His introduction leaves us in no doubt - he knew his first work wasn't going to be his best.
It's not. But it does show where a writer began to hone his craft. A story of two teenage brothers, their family and their misdeeds, Cameron and Ruben Wolfe don't always make the best choices. They've been talking about staging a robbery for ages, and finally they are about to go through with it... But it doesn't work out that way.
Cameron narrates the story, and having just finished I Am the Messenger, I can see how that much more structured and layerered story connects with the Wolfe brothers and came from the writing of this - the first scenes of both books were similar in tone and content, the characters of rudderless young men not so different either.
This is a more immature work that for me, felt like it didn't have as much craft, as much of a voice or a point. There were too many dreams for my liking, and it doens't stand out from the crowd of similiar YA books there are out there. It's interest lies mainly in fans and those interested in the evolution of a writer taking a peek at where the author of The Book Thief began.
Short (only 3 CDs so a sub-200 page read), well-read by the narrator, I don't know if I'll want to read further adventures of the Wolfe brothers, but fascinating to see a writer's early work.
sugandhwafai's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
caity_c's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars
I picked this up at the library on a whim, it looked short and something I could read in under two hours on one of the library’s armchairs. Having read The Book Thief, I had high expectations of this book. It was very different to his latter novels but it did not let me down. Two hours well spent.
The mind of a 15 year old boy is a weird place to be. However, I really enjoyed the simplicity of the story line and the depths the author went to explore the conscience and reality of a male teenager.
I wonder if Zusak read ‘The Outsiders’ because this had a strikingly similar story line, which I did not know if it was purposely copied or unconsciously done. The Outsiders is my favourite book though, so this paled in comparison. The older brother in both novels is called Steve, and is good looking and hard working. Even the supposedly mean kid is called Daryl too just like the Outsiders. Ponyboy and Cameron are very similar in their personality types too. Thus, I could not give this novel the five stars it possibly deserved as I felt like it was a cheaper rip off.
Furthermore, comments about acne and scruffy hair being something that can make you less attractive or meaningful were unnecessary. As I would never judge someone with acne, having had a cousin who has struggled with it her whole life. Comments like this make people self conscious.
I picked this up at the library on a whim, it looked short and something I could read in under two hours on one of the library’s armchairs. Having read The Book Thief, I had high expectations of this book. It was very different to his latter novels but it did not let me down. Two hours well spent.
The mind of a 15 year old boy is a weird place to be. However, I really enjoyed the simplicity of the story line and the depths the author went to explore the conscience and reality of a male teenager.
I wonder if Zusak read ‘The Outsiders’ because this had a strikingly similar story line, which I did not know if it was purposely copied or unconsciously done. The Outsiders is my favourite book though, so this paled in comparison. The older brother in both novels is called Steve, and is good looking and hard working. Even the supposedly mean kid is called Daryl too just like the Outsiders. Ponyboy and Cameron are very similar in their personality types too. Thus, I could not give this novel the five stars it possibly deserved as I felt like it was a cheaper rip off.
Furthermore, comments about acne and scruffy hair being something that can make you less attractive or meaningful were unnecessary. As I would never judge someone with acne, having had a cousin who has struggled with it her whole life. Comments like this make people self conscious.
emmanovella's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe Zusak just isn't my writer.
I picked up this audiobook from my library after discovering it was barely three hours long and also after dnfing Zusak's newest release Bridge of Clay. This book was better than Bridge of Clay, in that it was logical and had some sense of direction, but the two brothers felt like they could have been ripped out of the Dunbar family in the new book. Perhaps they developed into those characters.
The narrator was dreadful and his voice for one of the brothers was just painful. I feel like this book is Zusak's style. It certainly feels similar to Bridge of Clay but in comparison to The Book Thief? I honestly feel like there are two Markus Zusak's and one is the beautiful writer and storyteller of The Book Thief and the other is this mediocre trash but nobody is stepping forward to differentiate. Honestly, it's ridiculous how there's not even a trace of a signature of his writing in TBT in this book or his new work.
Yes, I'm probably being too harsh but I am MAD af about bridge of clay and how much time I wasted and the amount of effort it took to read (I had THREE migraines in the five days or so I tried to push through it. That is not a sign of a book worth reading) and this book was supposed to rekindle my hope for his books but it looks like he's a one hit wonder for me. I'll perhaps give I Am The Messenger a try since people seem to enjoy that one too and I already own a copy, but after that I won't pick up anything else by him
I picked up this audiobook from my library after discovering it was barely three hours long and also after dnfing Zusak's newest release Bridge of Clay. This book was better than Bridge of Clay, in that it was logical and had some sense of direction, but the two brothers felt like they could have been ripped out of the Dunbar family in the new book. Perhaps they developed into those characters.
The narrator was dreadful and his voice for one of the brothers was just painful. I feel like this book is Zusak's style. It certainly feels similar to Bridge of Clay but in comparison to The Book Thief? I honestly feel like there are two Markus Zusak's and one is the beautiful writer and storyteller of The Book Thief and the other is this mediocre trash but nobody is stepping forward to differentiate. Honestly, it's ridiculous how there's not even a trace of a signature of his writing in TBT in this book or his new work.
Yes, I'm probably being too harsh but I am MAD af about bridge of clay and how much time I wasted and the amount of effort it took to read (I had THREE migraines in the five days or so I tried to push through it. That is not a sign of a book worth reading) and this book was supposed to rekindle my hope for his books but it looks like he's a one hit wonder for me. I'll perhaps give I Am The Messenger a try since people seem to enjoy that one too and I already own a copy, but after that I won't pick up anything else by him
bronwynheeley's review against another edition
4.0
read the 20th Anniversary edition [9781743835098]
mcfade28's review
3.0
I only picked up this novel because it is by Markus Zuzak, the author of the global phenomenon The Book Thief, which happens to he one of my favourite books. I suspect many others are in a similar boat.
Not much of note happens in this story. We follow Cameron Wolfe who is a teenager in Australia. He has a close relationship with his brother, and most of the novel is about their exploits. It is a simple enough tale, with nothing overly poor or brilliant to report on.
Not much of note happens in this story. We follow Cameron Wolfe who is a teenager in Australia. He has a close relationship with his brother, and most of the novel is about their exploits. It is a simple enough tale, with nothing overly poor or brilliant to report on.
jacqui_des's review against another edition
3.0
Memorable Quotes
"If the prime minister was a dentist, the country wouldn't be in the state it's in right now, I can tell you. There'd be no unemployment, no racism, no sexism. Just money."
"My heart beat big."
"He's fighting the world."
"I'm a fighter', I concluded, 'not a loser. There's a difference."
asma_aj's review
3.0
This is quite a different tone from Zusak's other books. Not quite a masterpiece like I Am The Messenger, but it still packs a little rawness. The setting Zusak paints for his characters is quite bleak, and yet, they fit so well in it. Cameron, his family and friends, the people he interacts with-- it's all so well crafted into this short story that I was still captivated by it. The format was also interesting, ending each chapter with a little of Cameron's dream that feeds into his reality somehow. This is the first of three books, and while it doesn't delve too deep into Cameron's life yet, I enjoyed reading about his "beginnings".
It's a little rough around the edges compared to his other works, but it's still a page-turner.
It's a little rough around the edges compared to his other works, but it's still a page-turner.
dreareads100's review against another edition
3.0
I had high expectations for this book because I've read "I am the Messenger" and "Book Thief" by Zusak which are two of my favorite books. Underdog had absolutely no plot, however, I did see some points that had that beautiful Zusak writing that I saw in his other books. I understand this was his first book and I did enjoy it because of his beautiful writing, but I didn't LOVE it like his others because of the lack of plot. (I won't be continuing with the other two)