Reviews

The Back of the Turtle by Thomas King

bham123's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sagevf's review against another edition

1.0

Ok I'm sorry this is a very harsh review but I found this book so dreadfully boring and disappointing when compared to it's description (which sounded really cool but the book was not that cool)

zero_sjl's review against another edition

I really wanted to like this book but I feel like nothing of substance has happened so far and it doesn't seem to be taking off anytime soon.

beetree's review against another edition

3.0

I liked it, but it didn't quite grab me in the way I was expecting. Still, I can appreciate what it draws from and how it comes together and I'd like to re-read it after becoming better versed in the mythology.

e_robertson1989's review against another edition

5.0

I'm taking an English course in university that required this book to be read. It isn't within the normal genre that I prefer to read, but I have heard good things about King's novels, so I was open to reading it.

I am genuinely impressed with the humourous way that King comments on environmental issues and Indigenous issues while meshing together a mixture of Indigenous creation stories with Christianity. I found each character to be distinct, from Dorian to Solider and enjoyed the witty story that was told. It made a conscious effort to display the disasters that can occur from a reverence for progress, and still engaged the reader in a heartwarming story about ecology, guilt, and a little bit of hope.

babyfacedoldsoul's review against another edition

5.0

I will admit I almost didn't read this book because I hated the cover. Then I saw it was Thomas King and the cover and title suddenly made sense. I am so glad I decided to read this book. It may very well be one of the best books I read in 2014. King's prose is so believable and seemingly inevitable that I found myself researching every disaster he mentioned. It reminds me of The Handmaid's Tale in that it is a warning of what is to come if we don't change our current mindset and practices. It is also a story of beautiful characters. I am fairly certain I am in love with Crisp. If you only have a chance to read one more book this year please read this one. It just might change your life.

kristenmay's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hart's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Thoughtful. Devastating. Hopeful. Burst into tears. Burst into laughter. A must read.

inkling's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-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

5.0

I loved this book, Thomas King is such a great writer. He reveals things to the reader at a perfect pace. Master of "show not tell". Definitely one to read and reread.

encounterswiththemoon's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed reading this story. Though the book itself was long at around 500 pages, the way that the chapters were broken up helped ease the progression of the story so that it didn't feel treacherously long. In this same breath, I appreciated that the chapters were short. Though, there is something to be said for longer chapters & the way they allow for the inclusion of further thought & dialogue; these shorter chapters worked well with the story & the amount the reader was able to experience at any given time.

This is a strange aspect to try & explain but, I didn't feel as though the characters were very complex. The focus of this story was the events that transpired due to human decisions & explorations in science rather than the detailed experience of each character which meant that none of them were very complicated to understand or imagine.

For example, Gabriel is filled with guilt after having taken part in the scientific research & execution of a product that lead to the destruction of an entire community of people & wildlife. His desire to go to the land which he participated in destroying with the intention of burying himself along with his family, is not complicated to understand.

Though the characters might slightly appear to be acting in a random fashion, once you understand the basic gist of the storyline, none of their actions or reactions are very overwhelming or shocking. This is a factor that I did appreciate because it does ring true to so many aspects of our own lives & communities.

Overall, this book was well-written. It's not a complex story nor is it necessarily shocking. However, I do think the intention is partly for the reader to finish the book & reflect on all the ways that the destruction of nature in this story has also been present in our realities.

Life/nature does find a way to heal itself though it is constantly being stunted by the inabilities of the general populace. Perhaps someone might read this story & decide to be better; to pay closer attention to the earth that houses us & to the animals with whom we share this home & this life.