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simomo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? No
4.75
Beautiful story; the writing is tight, eloquent, funny and sentimental without any wallowing. A thoughtful exploration of bereavement and search for one's place in the world outside of expected or 'proper' roles. I read this book as a young kid and loved itโ it really opened my eyes to the wonder and beauty of the Amazon jungle, as well as to looking past stereotypes and colonial expectations. It was written after the author lost her husband, who was a naturalist. Journey to the River Sea is so clearly both an expression of the author's loss, as well as a love letter to both her late husband and what brought him joy.
Reading it again as an adult, I was concerned about the historical racist and bigoted rhetoric, violence, and inappropriate terminology the characters encounter, as the story is set in the early 20th century and the main cast is predominantly English. But I found the way Eva Ibbotson used the above as teachable plot devices, showing the readers how misguided and dangerous a colonial mindset is, quite pleasantly surprising. That being said, it is very much written from an English perspective, and I am not from Brazil nor do I know much about the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon. There are possibly things that I am missing or overlooking due to ignorance.
I would recommend this book to both youth and adults! It's such a fast paced and expansive story, but so cozy, and the ending is incredibly heartwarming. A definite favourite of mine. This book motivated me go outside and really try to observe the incredible beauty of our natural world.
Reading it again as an adult, I was concerned about the historical racist and bigoted rhetoric, violence, and inappropriate terminology the characters encounter, as the story is set in the early 20th century and the main cast is predominantly English. But I found the way Eva Ibbotson used the above as teachable plot devices, showing the readers how misguided and dangerous a colonial mindset is, quite pleasantly surprising. That being said, it is very much written from an English perspective, and I am not from Brazil nor do I know much about the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon. There are possibly things that I am missing or overlooking due to ignorance.
I would recommend this book to both youth and adults! It's such a fast paced and expansive story, but so cozy, and the ending is incredibly heartwarming. A definite favourite of mine. This book motivated me go outside and really try to observe the incredible beauty of our natural world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation, Death of parent, Racism, and Classism
Mentions of violence against indentured workerslauren_ren08's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
evieintheshire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
guylou's review against another edition
5.0
My daughter gave me this beautiful edition of ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐ป last Christmas. I'm thrilled to have finally delved into this enthralling adventure set amidst the lush backdrop of the Amazon River during the early 20th century. Maia, an English orphan, finds herself amidst a world of exotic fruits, indigenous music, and lush greenery upon arriving in Brazil. Despite facing hostility from her xenophobic relatives, Maia's resilience shines as she forms unexpected friendships and embarks on a journey filled with mystery and danger. Ibbotson's vivid descriptions transport readers into the heart of the jungle, where they encounter a rich tapestry of characters and creatures. From daring escapes to unexpected alliances, the story brims with excitement and intrigue. While intended for younger readers, the novel's themes of courage, friendship, and cultural acceptance resonate with audiences of all ages. Ibbotson's passionate portrayal of the Amazon landscape and her heartfelt storytelling make ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐๐ an unforgettable reading experience.
booksofreverie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bella247's review against another edition
4.0
There's something about this book that I loved. Maybe the way secrets were laced into the words.
I read between the lines and I loved it.
Don't judge a book by its cover ;)
I read between the lines and I loved it.
Don't judge a book by its cover ;)
alicebme's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable character traits and plot, but I quite like the Amazonian setting. Read to Aidan with inconsistent British accents.
mushroomdance's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
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? No
5.0
thesickwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Enjoyed this read. I read it as a kid bur had no memory of the story even as I was reading it. Would probably not reread it but it was pretty good. Not hard to read