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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
An intriguing book that brings to life the time of Jesus and the Roman oppression. I felt it was a little too "pat" in its wrap-up but a worthwhile read.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
A realistic depiction of the times in which Jesus walked the earth. Daniel, a boy who seeks revenge and lives off of hate, meets Jesus.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Had to read this book with a reading group in my middle school CORE class. We were all so mad because the author added some of the most irrelevant parts and it felt like there was barely a plot. This book could have been good but it definitely needed more revision and like more sense of what the fuck is even happening. The idea was nice but can someone tell me what Nathan’s purpose was? Like there was no development for his character and when he died I did not care at all because he literally had no personality and nothing to him. Im sure this could be a good book if it just had a different author. I threw the book at one point when reading because it was so confusing. Never thought i would rate a book with “0.5” but here we are. Feel bad for the other authors whose books didn’t win the Newsberry award and lost to whatever poorly written book this was. Im sure the idea was good but Elizabeth Speare did not deliver with this one. Ive read her other book sign of the beaver in 4th grade and it was actually decent and not that bad but what was this book? If you wanna write a book maybe learn the basic part of making a book, the plot. Some of the chapters felt like she ran out of ideas so she just wrote random shit down but this book was not good.
Sorry for my rant but I can’t get over how bad this shit was.
Sorry for my rant but I can’t get over how bad this shit was.
Not one of my favorites by Speares. I really felt the main character's fixation on revenge was too overdone and made me like him less.
I fell in love with this book in the 8th grade. It was the first book I was excited about reading. I decided to re-read it and I fell for it all over again. The book is definitely writen for the younger YA readers. I had felt a kinship with lea the first timd I read it. this time after being diegnosed with ptsd as I read the kin ship was even stronger. I also love the difficult issues faced and the clear look into Daniels anger. This book made me feel excited to follow Jesus.
A retelling of the early Christ myths, as told by a young man just on the periphary. Daniel bar Jamin is a zealot--one who believes that Jerusalem can only be reclaimed through war, and that the time for war has come. He starts out the book as a member of a band of zealots/brigands, but must move back to his home town to care for his sister, who suffers from what we recognize as agoraphobia. One day, Daniel speaks with Jesus, and becomes torn: he swore to bring about the Kingdom of God, but Jesus preaches non-violence. How can he keep his vow and also follow Jesus?
This was improved for me by reading this after reading "Zealot" by Reza Aslan, who goes into great detail about what a zealot is, especially in Biblical context. However, there's a huge age gap between readers of "The Bronze Bow" and readers of "Zealot." Perhaps try to find a documentary, instead. Something that can be watched in under and hour, and still gives the same basic details.
That said, the mediocre review? I was just really bored by the book. Part of that is that I am very non-religious, and merely reading this because it's a Newbery winner. But also because you spend the entire book waiting for Daniel to realize there is no conflict, if he's just listen to Jesus's speeches. Jesus covers the issue a lot, but Daniel hears the words but doesn't process them. Frustrating for the reader.
I suppose it works as a book for kids whose parents won't allow books without a faith focus. But, man, there's so much better out there.
This was improved for me by reading this after reading "Zealot" by Reza Aslan, who goes into great detail about what a zealot is, especially in Biblical context. However, there's a huge age gap between readers of "The Bronze Bow" and readers of "Zealot." Perhaps try to find a documentary, instead. Something that can be watched in under and hour, and still gives the same basic details.
That said, the mediocre review? I was just really bored by the book. Part of that is that I am very non-religious, and merely reading this because it's a Newbery winner. But also because you spend the entire book waiting for Daniel to realize there is no conflict, if he's just listen to Jesus's speeches. Jesus covers the issue a lot, but Daniel hears the words but doesn't process them. Frustrating for the reader.
I suppose it works as a book for kids whose parents won't allow books without a faith focus. But, man, there's so much better out there.
The Bronze Bow, by Elizabeth George Spear, in a 1962 Newbery award-winning novel set in the first century, during the Roman occupation of Israel. It tells the story of Daniel bar Jamin, a young zealot hoping to regain Israel for the Jews.
The Bronze Bow cleverly casts a biblical time in a modern, relatable light. Spear masterfully shows the damaging effects of grief and abuse on youth, through Daniel's hasty decisions and mistreatment of others. The Israelites, conquered by Rome, were prone to blaming their problems upon the soldiers or Roman taxes. The Jews were desperate for their promised Messiah, whom they viewed as a warrior-king to lead them out of slavery. Daniel very well portrays their disappointment in Jesus, who taught of forgiveness over fighting. In addition, Daniel's character arc shows rather vividly the power of Jesus's teachings triumphing over anger and desperation.
While this story has many wonderful attributes, I felt that the supporting characters were under-developed, or easily fell into stereotypes. There were also many unnecessary scenes and often a noticeable (if at times confusing) lack of description. The final chapter was rather abrupt and somewhat ineffective, as readers are left grasping for more than the sparse words provided.
Overall, I found this an accurate, interesting, and engaging portrayal of a confusing time; deserving of the high award it has received.
The Bronze Bow cleverly casts a biblical time in a modern, relatable light. Spear masterfully shows the damaging effects of grief and abuse on youth, through Daniel's hasty decisions and mistreatment of others. The Israelites, conquered by Rome, were prone to blaming their problems upon the soldiers or Roman taxes. The Jews were desperate for their promised Messiah, whom they viewed as a warrior-king to lead them out of slavery. Daniel very well portrays their disappointment in Jesus, who taught of forgiveness over fighting. In addition, Daniel's character arc shows rather vividly the power of Jesus's teachings triumphing over anger and desperation.
While this story has many wonderful attributes, I felt that the supporting characters were under-developed, or easily fell into stereotypes. There were also many unnecessary scenes and often a noticeable (if at times confusing) lack of description. The final chapter was rather abrupt and somewhat ineffective, as readers are left grasping for more than the sparse words provided.
Overall, I found this an accurate, interesting, and engaging portrayal of a confusing time; deserving of the high award it has received.