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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
2.5-3 stars. This was a tough one for me -it took me nearly 2 months to read it due to nothing more than lack of interest. I was stuck about 30 pages in for most of that time, and then finished the book in a couple hours. The main character, Prof. Sherman, is a 60-ish math teacher (why is he a Professor?) who is tired of teaching (and no longer likes students) and decides to go off ballooning. To do so, he builds a very large balloon (the Globe), equips it with a fully provisioned, small house instead of a basket (it's that large), and set off from near San Francisco to circumnavigate the world. He floats off over the Pacific Ocean, paying next to no attention where he's going (supposedly can't steer the balloon), and due to a gull strike crashes into the ocean near the volcanic island of Krakatoa. Don't get me wrong, I love fantasy, but it has to have some realistic underpinnings. My suspension of disbelief was being stretched before the crash, but Krakatoa hung it until it was dead. I disliked the colonial take on the American inhabitants of Krakatoa, had issues with the society and its economic basis, and then the volcano blew apart (the whole thing was completely unscientific). Add that much of the book was simply a description of the wonderful inventions of the Krakatoan settlers and I was bored. I read this for my 2019 Reading Challenge and my Newbery Challenge (Medal 1948).
I first read this book as a child, and I was enthralled by the "Restaurant Constitution" of Krakatoa, the idea of a society in which all the wealth and resources are shared, and every member works towards the health and happiness of the society as a whole. I remember demanding that my mother explain to me why the entire world does not operate on this system. She couldn't give me a satisfactory answer.
I decided to revisit the book when I saw it sitting on my shelf this week. I love du Bois' writing style, and his picturesque descriptions of balloon travel made me look into the prices of local hot air balloon rides.
However, occasional moments of du Bois' 1940s racism peaking through were disappointing. The Krakatoan's were also less of the leftist fantasy I had thought. The Island of Krakatoa might be a "utopia," but its billionaire residents hoard their wealth to maintain the lavish lifestyle of the island. Their greed leads them to risk their lives to remain near to their diamond mines.
I decided to revisit the book when I saw it sitting on my shelf this week. I love du Bois' writing style, and his picturesque descriptions of balloon travel made me look into the prices of local hot air balloon rides.
However, occasional moments of du Bois' 1940s racism peaking through were disappointing. The Krakatoan's were also less of the leftist fantasy I had thought. The Island of Krakatoa might be a "utopia," but its billionaire residents hoard their wealth to maintain the lavish lifestyle of the island. Their greed leads them to risk their lives to remain near to their diamond mines.
Three chapters and I'm falling asleep. There are way too many boring details and not much else. I tried to push through to the adventure part, but at this point, I just don't care. And I'm getting the feeling that there really isn't much adventure to it anyway. I have no idea why kids are supposed to find it interesting.
Kristy gave me this fun kids' book for my birthday, accompanied by an apology for giving me yet another book at a time when I was trying to streamline my library and narrow down which books to box up and which to take with me to South Africa.* I read it over a couple of sittings in an afternoon/evening and then packed it into a box not too long after. A balloon adventure gone awry on a supposedly-but-not-actually-deserted island? Great fun.
*She's forgiven, since she adopted a large portion of my library for the next couple of years, saving me from the anguish of packing them all away.
*She's forgiven, since she adopted a large portion of my library for the next couple of years, saving me from the anguish of packing them all away.
How did I miss this book as a child? It would have been right up my alley. The ballooning adventure of Professor William Waterman Sherman and his landing on Krakatoa is a story told with an engaging mix of details both fantastical and mundane. A variety of inventions and conveniences are described in a way that is sure to appeal to kids who are interested in how things work, but overall the book is light and quick reading.
Oh my goodness, I love this book. It has everything for a young reader--full of adventure, futuristic inventions, a cave of diamonds for crying out loud!
I used to read excerpts to my students and they were enthralled. This book still enthralls me with the magic from when I first read it.
ETA 9/21/2020: I just finished reading this to my own children (who are 7 3/4). The magic holds up and enthralled them as much as me. The plot is admittedly a little light, but the imagination makes up for it.
I used to read excerpts to my students and they were enthralled. This book still enthralls me with the magic from when I first read it.
ETA 9/21/2020: I just finished reading this to my own children (who are 7 3/4). The magic holds up and enthralled them as much as me. The plot is admittedly a little light, but the imagination makes up for it.
Can you get away with a D-Day joke in 1947? Apparently so! Someone needs to teach William Pene du Bois about physics. And realistic forms of government. Ridiculously delightful.
I strongly approve of kids books where the story is clearly the fantasy of an old person, the story is well told, and there is no message because this was intended to be the fantasy of an old person, not a gosh darned kids' book.
But really, this was fun. I like it. Sexism is indicative of its time, but not overtly terrible. Racism likewise. Both manageable, though.
But really, this was fun. I like it. Sexism is indicative of its time, but not overtly terrible. Racism likewise. Both manageable, though.
Parts of this book were truly delightful. Other parts were a slog to read aloud, like the long and detailed descriptions of the inventions. My maker son seemed to enjoy those parts though. I’m glad we read it, but I wouldn’t be in a hurry to reread or to seek out more from this author.
Caitie read most of this book to me on our way home from Portland. It was wonderful. I especially loved the introduction and drawings–and the way Caitie says Krakatoa. I highly recommend you get her to read this to you.
Apparently this book is very similar "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I think I'll have to read that now.
Apparently this book is very similar "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I think I'll have to read that now.