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bibliomania_litsy's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lizzillia's review
4.0
Longlisted for Carnegie Medal 2022.
We have a story with many layers and beautiful illustrations which add to the atmosphere, and told in first person by a boy who is unnamed throughout. This is his perspective, his way of explaining, or trying to explain what happened.
The story starts in a caravan in the woods where he lives with his father, who he calls John. His parents are separated because the boy's mother cannot cope with John who is ex-army. He has come home after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, suffering from what we understand to be PTSD although this is never told to us explicitly. His nightmares and bouts of anger seem to be soothed only by the boy - and we understand why this is much later in the book - and not his wife. He is on medication but the boy never knows if he is taking it. In the woods, the boy is reasonably happy, he seems to adore his father and learns from him the ways of nature and survival. Therefore when John is imprisoned, the boy is able to cope on his own.
Since leaving the army, John has fallen in with the 'bad men' and he sees them as a way to achieve his dream of buying a croft in Scotland. The boy fears for him and what will happen and hides the truth from his mother on the very few occasions that he has contact with her.
While John is in prison, the boy makes a friend and who gives him peace and companionship. He also 'adopts' a dog, Mol, who just appears one day, who never leaves his side and is almost the reason for the end because when John gets out of prison there is just one last job to do.
Together with the boy's narrative, there is also the ancient legend of the wood that John has told the boy - the wolves and giant bison and stag, all of them sleeping underground ready to wake at any moment and this brings a darker element to the story. An atmosphere that the illustrations add additional layers to.
A thought-provoking book that touches on so many things: PTSD, homelessness, poverty, parental separation. I would recommend it for 13+
We have a story with many layers and beautiful illustrations which add to the atmosphere, and told in first person by a boy who is unnamed throughout. This is his perspective, his way of explaining, or trying to explain what happened.
The story starts in a caravan in the woods where he lives with his father, who he calls John. His parents are separated because the boy's mother cannot cope with John who is ex-army. He has come home after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, suffering from what we understand to be PTSD although this is never told to us explicitly. His nightmares and bouts of anger seem to be soothed only by the boy - and we understand why this is much later in the book - and not his wife. He is on medication but the boy never knows if he is taking it. In the woods, the boy is reasonably happy, he seems to adore his father and learns from him the ways of nature and survival. Therefore when John is imprisoned, the boy is able to cope on his own.
Since leaving the army, John has fallen in with the 'bad men' and he sees them as a way to achieve his dream of buying a croft in Scotland. The boy fears for him and what will happen and hides the truth from his mother on the very few occasions that he has contact with her.
While John is in prison, the boy makes a friend and who gives him peace and companionship. He also 'adopts' a dog, Mol, who just appears one day, who never leaves his side and is almost the reason for the end because when John gets out of prison there is just one last job to do.
Together with the boy's narrative, there is also the ancient legend of the wood that John has told the boy - the wolves and giant bison and stag, all of them sleeping underground ready to wake at any moment and this brings a darker element to the story. An atmosphere that the illustrations add additional layers to.
A thought-provoking book that touches on so many things: PTSD, homelessness, poverty, parental separation. I would recommend it for 13+
thewoollygeek's review
5.0
A beautiful read, this is a powerful and emotive tale, it’s so engaging and addictive I really couldn’t put it down , well written, great characters, poignant and thought provoking read
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
ju_wnd's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
rackle's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bookspaperink's review
dark
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, and War
holy_reads's review
4.0
I found this a really unique, poetic and haunting read. The fact that the MC remained nameless and the sort of intangible uncertainty around the beasts he sees was almost eerie - the impact of these beasts that are likely hallucinations/a metaphor. And then there's also Mol as well, in a similar ways. It was just a very twisting and darkly beautiful story with the most stunning and tonally fitting illustrations.
samstar1905's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
rachiiebookworm2710's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A odd but interesting book.
The illustrations are very beautiful.
3.75
Read for #Polarthon and #Realmathon
The illustrations are very beautiful.
3.75
Read for #Polarthon and #Realmathon