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lelandbuck's review
4.0
This is the second of Henning Mankell's books about 12 year old Joel Gustafson. This book, like its predecessor, [b:A Bridge to the Stars|1142899|A Bridge to the Stars|Henning Mankell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181369522s/1142899.jpg|1503569] looks at the life of a very exceptional boy growing up in the north of Sweden in the 1950's. Readers accustomed to Mankell's Kurt Wallander series will find this book lacking much of his trademark suspense, but being quite full of his remarkable insight and characterization. I was particularly impressed by Mankell's ability in both the Joel Gustafson books to portray the world through the eyes of a 12 year old so well. Let's face it, we've all been there, but how many of us could convincingly describe what it was like.
Mankell is a master storyteller, and while this was not my favorite of his books, it was very satisfying, and I'm glad I read it. Like [b:A Bridge to the Stars|1142899|A Bridge to the Stars|Henning Mankell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181369522s/1142899.jpg|1503569] I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in writing Juvenile/Young Adult fiction.
Mankell is a master storyteller, and while this was not my favorite of his books, it was very satisfying, and I'm glad I read it. Like [b:A Bridge to the Stars|1142899|A Bridge to the Stars|Henning Mankell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181369522s/1142899.jpg|1503569] I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in writing Juvenile/Young Adult fiction.
margardenlady's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook - the adventures of an 11 year old motherless boy... Joel has a miracle in this book. And then he feels he needs to respond to the miracle, with disastrous effects.
asuph's review
4.0
Not your typical Mankell (and I'm a huge fan of the typical Mankell, mind you), but I enjoyed it a lot. A light reading, and yet charming.
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