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stephxsu's review
2.0
Being a high school freshman is usually traumatic enough. For Cora Bradley, however, it’s worse than average: she lives in the shadow of her older brother, Nate, a notorious misunderstood troublemaker who killed himself when he drove into a tree. The Bradley household, once a warm and friendly place, is now cold, silent, and overbearing. So Cora throws herself into art, drawing elaborate maps of far-off places in her futile attempt to escape the ghosts of her small town.
Cora must deal with normal teenage girl troubles, too, though. As she and her ex-best friend drift apart, Cora finds solace in the unlikeliest of places: in Damian, Nate’s best friend, who was in the car with him that fatal night. Damian shows her things about Nate that Cora never knew before, but her parents despise Damian and blame him for their son’s death. What will happen when all these different points of view clash? Will Cora come out stronger in the long run?
After hearing amazing things about Lisa Ann Sandell’s stunning writing, I was more than disappointed in A MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD. There is wonderful descriptive prose, yes—the kind that makes you want to stop after every period and drink in the sentence you’ve just read, the kind that makes you think, Wow. This is what writing is about.
Unfortunately, this lyrical language is interspersed with really elementary dialogue and predicaments. Cora may be a high school freshman, but high school freshmen do NOT need to sound so whiny, shallow, explosive, and unreasonable. I hardly felt any connection to the characters at all, and instead wanted to smack them on their heads for being so one-dimensional. The story, too, is predictable; you hardly need to read the book in order to know what the ending is.
All in all, A MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD an admirable attempt at lyrically dealing with the difficult subject of death. However, the lack of connection I felt to the characters undermined the attempt. Read it once to savor the occasional delicious line of prose, but not to feel as if this is a world that you can believe in and empathize with.
Cora must deal with normal teenage girl troubles, too, though. As she and her ex-best friend drift apart, Cora finds solace in the unlikeliest of places: in Damian, Nate’s best friend, who was in the car with him that fatal night. Damian shows her things about Nate that Cora never knew before, but her parents despise Damian and blame him for their son’s death. What will happen when all these different points of view clash? Will Cora come out stronger in the long run?
After hearing amazing things about Lisa Ann Sandell’s stunning writing, I was more than disappointed in A MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD. There is wonderful descriptive prose, yes—the kind that makes you want to stop after every period and drink in the sentence you’ve just read, the kind that makes you think, Wow. This is what writing is about.
Unfortunately, this lyrical language is interspersed with really elementary dialogue and predicaments. Cora may be a high school freshman, but high school freshmen do NOT need to sound so whiny, shallow, explosive, and unreasonable. I hardly felt any connection to the characters at all, and instead wanted to smack them on their heads for being so one-dimensional. The story, too, is predictable; you hardly need to read the book in order to know what the ending is.
All in all, A MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD an admirable attempt at lyrically dealing with the difficult subject of death. However, the lack of connection I felt to the characters undermined the attempt. Read it once to savor the occasional delicious line of prose, but not to feel as if this is a world that you can believe in and empathize with.
flowersofquiethappiness's review
4.0
I really think Sandell did a great job of balancing the sadness and confusion with bouts of normalcy and happiness. Cora is a very strong girl! She keeps going on and living her life even as life throws some pretty difficult situations her way. With a hopeful yet realistic ending, I definitely recommend this one. This was a relatively quick but very enjoyable read. I'd been on the list at the library for quite some time and am really glad I finally got a chance to read it!
ladyaprilthebookdragon's review
5.0
Summary - Cora Bradley, a young female girl who is about to start Lincoln Grove High as a freshman. Her brother, Nate Bradley would have been in his senior year of high school. He ended up dying in a car accident with his best friend,Damian, being able to walk away from the crash unharmed. When Cora enters her classes all the teachers think that instead of her being in the class, its her brother. So every waking day she is reminded of her older brother. She ends up meeting with Damian and they both work on a project for their Art class. Cora mostly draws maps. Give her a city and she will draw that as a map. Throughout the year Cora has to over come the challenges of everyday life, dealing with her parents who are not acting like her parents, and school.
Review - I love Lisa Ann Sandell books for the purpose that they can teach people valuable lessons. In A Map of the Known World, she has the lesson that even though a special person is gone from your life doesn’t mean you have to sit around feeling sorry that you could never be very close to that person. The characters are like your best friends. You can relate to what they are going through. I love how with each different chapter something is going to happen that nobody could have predicted. It kept me guessing for quite a while. With the setting, it is all around Cora’s hometown. There are different places that you come to find out that are important to the ending of the book. I really did enjoy reading this book. At first I thought this book would be in verse like her other two books were. I was really surprised when it was not in verse. I like both of the writing styles in her writing for it shows that she does not just write a book in verse. She can write in any style. If you like stories about finding about yourself and just being able to relate to the characters then I would definitely recommend this book for you.
Review - I love Lisa Ann Sandell books for the purpose that they can teach people valuable lessons. In A Map of the Known World, she has the lesson that even though a special person is gone from your life doesn’t mean you have to sit around feeling sorry that you could never be very close to that person. The characters are like your best friends. You can relate to what they are going through. I love how with each different chapter something is going to happen that nobody could have predicted. It kept me guessing for quite a while. With the setting, it is all around Cora’s hometown. There are different places that you come to find out that are important to the ending of the book. I really did enjoy reading this book. At first I thought this book would be in verse like her other two books were. I was really surprised when it was not in verse. I like both of the writing styles in her writing for it shows that she does not just write a book in verse. She can write in any style. If you like stories about finding about yourself and just being able to relate to the characters then I would definitely recommend this book for you.
petersenftleben's review
5.0
This was pretty great. It took a couple chapters to really get into the flow of the story, but the writing is fantastic. The author really has an eye for description, especially with the artistic sensibilities of Cora and Damien. There were a couple parts that were a bit angsty (mostly with respect to Damien's and Rachel's behavior), but I still cried a little at the end, even though I knew where it was going. It *could* have explored Cora's parents' reactions to Nate's death a bit more, but since this is her story and seen through her eyes, it didn't bother me too much.
janetrose's review
4.0
I really enjoyed Sandell's writing. She knows how to use words to their full extent and made fantastic stories and characters. I feel like I really knew Cora and her life and her loss; I felt like I knew Damian and Helena and wished they were real.
I really loved this book, it is short of 5 stars because its seems like its missing something. I am not sure what, but I just feel like it wasn't complete.
I really loved this book, it is short of 5 stars because its seems like its missing something. I am not sure what, but I just feel like it wasn't complete.
kristid's review
3.0
The real reason I picked this one up: I dig the cover. Hadn’t read anything by Sandell, but I had heard good things about Song of the Sparrow. Really awesome cover + good vibes from a recent book = maybe I should read this one!
Another great novel. I’ve been reading so many lately! A Map of the Known World deals with grief, first love, family, and coming of age. It’s apparent almost from page one that this family is suffering. Each one dealing with their loss in different ways, individually. I suppose you could say this is a story of healing, because ultimately it is.
I really enjoyed reading Sandell’s writing. It was simply beautiful, utterly captivating. It was just as expressive as an artist.... her novel was her canvas and her paintbrush her words. Corny, I know, but how can I not reference art when it is so prominently displayed in this novel.
Cora’s character unquestionably embodied the awkward transition from middle school to high school. I recall feeling the same awkwardness. And Sandell perfectly captures the emotions of Cora’s despair with her parents and the pain of an ostracized teen, there isn’t anything quite like being ditched by your best friend.
The plot was intriguing, maybe a little bit slow in areas. The relationship between Cora and Damian was slow to develop as well. It was an interesting dynamic, falling for your big brother’s best friend maybe somewhat typical, but falling for your dead brother’s best friend, now that’s a unique take.
The ending was inspiring. While everything wasn’t resolved you can see the start of the process beginning. Excellent novel, I will most likely continue to pick up Sandell’s novels.
Another great novel. I’ve been reading so many lately! A Map of the Known World deals with grief, first love, family, and coming of age. It’s apparent almost from page one that this family is suffering. Each one dealing with their loss in different ways, individually. I suppose you could say this is a story of healing, because ultimately it is.
I really enjoyed reading Sandell’s writing. It was simply beautiful, utterly captivating. It was just as expressive as an artist.... her novel was her canvas and her paintbrush her words. Corny, I know, but how can I not reference art when it is so prominently displayed in this novel.
Cora’s character unquestionably embodied the awkward transition from middle school to high school. I recall feeling the same awkwardness. And Sandell perfectly captures the emotions of Cora’s despair with her parents and the pain of an ostracized teen, there isn’t anything quite like being ditched by your best friend.
The plot was intriguing, maybe a little bit slow in areas. The relationship between Cora and Damian was slow to develop as well. It was an interesting dynamic, falling for your big brother’s best friend maybe somewhat typical, but falling for your dead brother’s best friend, now that’s a unique take.
The ending was inspiring. While everything wasn’t resolved you can see the start of the process beginning. Excellent novel, I will most likely continue to pick up Sandell’s novels.
kaitrosereads's review
5.0
Cora Bradley is lost. Ever since her older brother Nate died she hasn't known what to do with herself. Her family is falling apart and she can't seem to relate to her only friend anymore.
Cora and her older brother Nate didn't actually get along very well in his final years of life but now that he is gone it seems like he was the only thing holding their family together. Her father now drowns his problems in alcohol and her mother now spends all her time focusing on how to keep Cora out of trouble. That means strict rules and basically no life.
Cora doesn't really mind at first, but then she starts to get to know Damian. Damian was in the car with her brother the night he died. She and her parents both blamed Damian for what happened to Nate, not knowing that Damian also secretly blamed himself. But what Cora doesn't know and that Damian can show her, might heal some of the rifts in her family.
I fell in love with the book from the very first page. I had never read anything by Lisa Ann Sandell before this and I was just amazed. Sandell brilliantly portrays the grief, love, and hope in Cora's heart. The details used in the book were amazing. Everything was so intricately linked and just seemed to flow off the page.
I kept turning the page wanting to know more but never wanting it to end. I would recommend this book to anybody, really. I can't say that it wasn't sad at parts but it was also such a hopeful read it leaves you feeling kind of happy and grateful for the beauty of life.
Cora and her older brother Nate didn't actually get along very well in his final years of life but now that he is gone it seems like he was the only thing holding their family together. Her father now drowns his problems in alcohol and her mother now spends all her time focusing on how to keep Cora out of trouble. That means strict rules and basically no life.
Cora doesn't really mind at first, but then she starts to get to know Damian. Damian was in the car with her brother the night he died. She and her parents both blamed Damian for what happened to Nate, not knowing that Damian also secretly blamed himself. But what Cora doesn't know and that Damian can show her, might heal some of the rifts in her family.
I fell in love with the book from the very first page. I had never read anything by Lisa Ann Sandell before this and I was just amazed. Sandell brilliantly portrays the grief, love, and hope in Cora's heart. The details used in the book were amazing. Everything was so intricately linked and just seemed to flow off the page.
I kept turning the page wanting to know more but never wanting it to end. I would recommend this book to anybody, really. I can't say that it wasn't sad at parts but it was also such a hopeful read it leaves you feeling kind of happy and grateful for the beauty of life.
michreadsmanybooks's review
4.0
A Map Of The Known World is wonderfully crafted, the language and writing easily being my favourite aspect of this particular novel. The author, Lisa Ann Sandell writes such lyrically beautiful crafted prose and utilizes multiple figures of speech that further enhance the story and helps to drawn the reader in. I have to say that it was a great pleasure to read this novel and the writing contained within it.
A Map Of The Known World happens to be a story filled with the realistic struggle of a family that is torn apart due to the death of Nate, who so happens to be Cora's (the protagonist's) older brother. The novel follows Cora and her battle to overcome the grief that plagues her and her family after such a heartbreaking occurrence. Most of the emphasis in this novel is placed upon family and internal healing although there are also hints of romance and friendship thrown into the mix as well.
As much as I enjoyed this novel I do have to admit that at times I felt as if something was missing. As I mentioned above, the language was fantastic and I felt that the development of the characters was also well crafted and developed. I enjoyed watching Cora grown and learn to handle the elements that she found herself strewn among as well as come into her own. I think my problem may have had something to do with the dialogue which I felt was slightly forced as well as the reactions of some characters when in particular situations. Aside from that, I enjoyed this novel greatly and am more than happy to have picked it up.
Overall: A Map Of The Known World is a story surrounding the familiar topic of loss and moving on from a devastating circumstance. In my opinion, it is a story with many worthwhile moments and is most certainly worth a read.
A Map Of The Known World happens to be a story filled with the realistic struggle of a family that is torn apart due to the death of Nate, who so happens to be Cora's (the protagonist's) older brother. The novel follows Cora and her battle to overcome the grief that plagues her and her family after such a heartbreaking occurrence. Most of the emphasis in this novel is placed upon family and internal healing although there are also hints of romance and friendship thrown into the mix as well.
As much as I enjoyed this novel I do have to admit that at times I felt as if something was missing. As I mentioned above, the language was fantastic and I felt that the development of the characters was also well crafted and developed. I enjoyed watching Cora grown and learn to handle the elements that she found herself strewn among as well as come into her own. I think my problem may have had something to do with the dialogue which I felt was slightly forced as well as the reactions of some characters when in particular situations. Aside from that, I enjoyed this novel greatly and am more than happy to have picked it up.
Overall: A Map Of The Known World is a story surrounding the familiar topic of loss and moving on from a devastating circumstance. In my opinion, it is a story with many worthwhile moments and is most certainly worth a read.
minty's review
2.0
Felt like a fairly typical "family coping with major loss" book, nothing special.
missprint_'s review
5.0
A Map of the Known World (April 2009) is Lisa Ann Sandell's third novel (it was also the first book I have discovered that was edited by Aimee Friedman a neat-o YA author in her own right whom I met very, very, very briefly at a reading). She has two other critically acclaimed novels under her belt. According to her website, those previous books were written in verse. I feel like saying that now because I want to address the tone of the book now, before saying anything else about it. At times the writing felt erratic--sometimes profoundly authentic, at other times very much like a writer writing as a teen. That might be due in part to Sandell's experience with free verse. It might also be because I was reading and uncorrected advanced proof. I don't know, but I wanted to point it out all the same. Now you know.
Cora's life fell apart with a sudden crash. The Bradley family had been falling apart for some time, but when Cora's older brother Nate dies in a car crash, everything is irreparably and irrevocably broken. In his wake Nate has left Cora with nothing. Her father has retreated into his private den and his daily gin and tonics. Her mother is a shadow of her former self, going through the motions of their normal life while issuing rules meant to protect Cora when, in reality, they only suffocate her.
Cora is left adrift unsure how to deal with the anger she has for her brother or anything else. Cora isn't sure she can deal with starting high school as the girl with a dead brother. She can barely even deal with her small town and all of its constant reminders of the way things used to be:
Somewhere, things must be beautiful and vivid. Somewhere else, life has to beautiful and vivid and rich. Not like this muted palette--a pale blue bedroom, washed out sunny sky, dull green yellow brown of the fields. Here, I know every twist of every road, every blade of grass, every face in this town, and I am suffocating.
Lacking any other support system, Cora finds a refuge in her art. Working from a salvaged map, Cora sketches exotic locations in far off lands--places that Cora is sure are the key to her salvation.
In addition to dealing with Nate's death, Cora has to deal with the more mundane matter of starting high school. As her best friend throws herself into their new environment, Cora finds herself at the sidelines trying to figure out what it means to be growing up, especially when she knows her brother never can.
Cora never gets to the locations she draws in her maps, but her art does lead her to something equally important: An identity beyond Nate Bradley's little sister. With the help of Damian Archer, the other boy in the car when Nate died, Cora also learns the truth about her brother and, perhaps, a way to fix the hole Nate left in her family after the accident.
Sandell expertly deals with Cora's struggles to redefine herself in relation to this tragedy and her broken family. At times the writing veers toward the overwrought, but for the most part, the writing holds true. Cora is also shockingly authentic in both her grief and, I think, in her changing relationships with other characters. I often complain that teen characters are nothing like me or any of the teens I know, but Cora is. Thrown into high school without a map, Cora's confusion over suddenly being a "real" teenager and having to find new friends will ring true with many readers.
On another note, I really liked the simplicity of the cover which evokes the art described within the novel while simultaneously alluding to the healing process after Nate's death (the heart on the cover is made of scrap metal, I believe car parts but lacking a car cannot accurately gauge).
(This book reminded me a lot of the events of Drawing the Ocean by Carolyn McCullough and the tone found in Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. I suspect that readers of those books will like this one and vice versa, just fyi.)
Cora's life fell apart with a sudden crash. The Bradley family had been falling apart for some time, but when Cora's older brother Nate dies in a car crash, everything is irreparably and irrevocably broken. In his wake Nate has left Cora with nothing. Her father has retreated into his private den and his daily gin and tonics. Her mother is a shadow of her former self, going through the motions of their normal life while issuing rules meant to protect Cora when, in reality, they only suffocate her.
Cora is left adrift unsure how to deal with the anger she has for her brother or anything else. Cora isn't sure she can deal with starting high school as the girl with a dead brother. She can barely even deal with her small town and all of its constant reminders of the way things used to be:
Somewhere, things must be beautiful and vivid. Somewhere else, life has to beautiful and vivid and rich. Not like this muted palette--a pale blue bedroom, washed out sunny sky, dull green yellow brown of the fields. Here, I know every twist of every road, every blade of grass, every face in this town, and I am suffocating.
Lacking any other support system, Cora finds a refuge in her art. Working from a salvaged map, Cora sketches exotic locations in far off lands--places that Cora is sure are the key to her salvation.
In addition to dealing with Nate's death, Cora has to deal with the more mundane matter of starting high school. As her best friend throws herself into their new environment, Cora finds herself at the sidelines trying to figure out what it means to be growing up, especially when she knows her brother never can.
Cora never gets to the locations she draws in her maps, but her art does lead her to something equally important: An identity beyond Nate Bradley's little sister. With the help of Damian Archer, the other boy in the car when Nate died, Cora also learns the truth about her brother and, perhaps, a way to fix the hole Nate left in her family after the accident.
Sandell expertly deals with Cora's struggles to redefine herself in relation to this tragedy and her broken family. At times the writing veers toward the overwrought, but for the most part, the writing holds true. Cora is also shockingly authentic in both her grief and, I think, in her changing relationships with other characters. I often complain that teen characters are nothing like me or any of the teens I know, but Cora is. Thrown into high school without a map, Cora's confusion over suddenly being a "real" teenager and having to find new friends will ring true with many readers.
On another note, I really liked the simplicity of the cover which evokes the art described within the novel while simultaneously alluding to the healing process after Nate's death (the heart on the cover is made of scrap metal, I believe car parts but lacking a car cannot accurately gauge).
(This book reminded me a lot of the events of Drawing the Ocean by Carolyn McCullough and the tone found in Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. I suspect that readers of those books will like this one and vice versa, just fyi.)