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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
READ IN DUTCH
It is said that Noah Barleywater runs away is a mere children's book. An adventure but not more than that.
It is also said that Noah Barleywater is a thought-provoking novel, even for adults.
What side am I on?
It's aimed on children aged 8-12, but I believe there is so much more in it that makes it a wonderful read even for adults. You can read this book on different level. It's not incomprehensible for an 8-year-old, but he/she will read this as an exciting adventure. Even as 'just' a children's book, I like the style. It's the kind of book I would have liked as a child. Now I'm older, I like that there is a bit more to it than just the story.
It is said that Noah Barleywater runs away is a mere children's book. An adventure but not more than that.
It is also said that Noah Barleywater is a thought-provoking novel, even for adults.
What side am I on?
It's aimed on children aged 8-12, but I believe there is so much more in it that makes it a wonderful read even for adults. You can read this book on different level. It's not incomprehensible for an 8-year-old, but he/she will read this as an exciting adventure. Even as 'just' a children's book, I like the style. It's the kind of book I would have liked as a child. Now I'm older, I like that there is a bit more to it than just the story.
Me causa mucha gracia haber leído este libro después de terminar Pinochi, ni que lo hubiese planeado.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Ésta es la tercera novela que leo de John Boyne y la verdad es que me gusta mucho su estilo, así como la variedad de temáticas que aborda en sus libros, de modo que espero poder leer los otros tres que me quedan para haber leído todas sus novelas.
"En el corazón del bosque" es una novela muy cortita que apenas supera las cien páginas pero está narrado con tanto cariño y de una manera tan dulce que es imposible que no te enganches a la primera. Nos cuenta la historia de Noah, un chico de ocho años que decide huir de casa de sus padres en mitad de la noche con el firme propósito de no volver nunca. Al vivir en una aldea pequeña, Noah decide internarse en el corazón del bosque para así impedir que sus progenitores, al notar su ausencia, salgan en su búsqueda. Así es como nuestro pequeño protagonista encuentra un pequeño y extraño pueblecito donde las cosas no son siempre lo que parecen y donde aprenderá más de una lección de vida gracias a un viejo juguetero y su tienda de marionetas.
Cuando estaba leyendo el libro, me estaba gustando tanto desde el principio que tenía claro que le iba a dar las cinco estrellas - no únicamente porque me gustara la narrativa, sino porque había incluso momentos en los que me llegaba a emocionar bastante y eso no lo consigue cualquier libro - y no entendía cómo tenía una puntuación tan "baja" con lo que a mí me estaba gustando... Hasta que llega un momento en la novela en que lo entiendes y bastante. Cuando estaba leyendo ESE momento que todos reconoceréis si habéis leído la novela, yo estaba en plan negación total - "WTF, ¿qué es esto?" más concretamente - y comprendí por qué tenía la nota que tenía. A partir de ese momento, la novela pierde las dos estrellas más que pensaba ponerle y su nota final se convierte en un tres: me ha gustado, sí, pero no veo nada acertado ese último giro del final.
Aún así, os lo recomiendo si buscáis un librito corto y ameno: a pesar de todo, es una buena novela.
"En el corazón del bosque" es una novela muy cortita que apenas supera las cien páginas pero está narrado con tanto cariño y de una manera tan dulce que es imposible que no te enganches a la primera. Nos cuenta la historia de Noah, un chico de ocho años que decide huir de casa de sus padres en mitad de la noche con el firme propósito de no volver nunca. Al vivir en una aldea pequeña, Noah decide internarse en el corazón del bosque para así impedir que sus progenitores, al notar su ausencia, salgan en su búsqueda. Así es como nuestro pequeño protagonista encuentra un pequeño y extraño pueblecito donde las cosas no son siempre lo que parecen y donde aprenderá más de una lección de vida gracias a un viejo juguetero y su tienda de marionetas.
Cuando estaba leyendo el libro, me estaba gustando tanto desde el principio que tenía claro que le iba a dar las cinco estrellas - no únicamente porque me gustara la narrativa, sino porque había incluso momentos en los que me llegaba a emocionar bastante y eso no lo consigue cualquier libro - y no entendía cómo tenía una puntuación tan "baja" con lo que a mí me estaba gustando... Hasta que llega un momento en la novela en que lo entiendes y bastante. Cuando estaba leyendo ESE momento que todos reconoceréis si habéis leído la novela, yo estaba en plan negación total - "WTF, ¿qué es esto?" más concretamente - y comprendí por qué tenía la nota que tenía. A partir de ese momento, la novela pierde las dos estrellas más que pensaba ponerle y su nota final se convierte en un tres: me ha gustado, sí, pero no veo nada acertado ese último giro del final.
Aún así, os lo recomiendo si buscáis un librito corto y ameno: a pesar de todo, es una buena novela.
With magical elements that felt somewhere between Alice in Wonderland and the Folk of the Faraway Tree, Noah Barleywater Runs Away is a beautiful book. Definitely written for children around 9+, I found that at times the nonsensical approach at times annoying or a little weird - which only saddened me as to how little we truly use our imagination as adults. Sometimes however, it served as a way of illustrating Noah's emotions and actions in a literal and beautiful way.
"Noah shook his head quickly, throwing the laugh out of his mouth and over to the corner of the toy shop where it landed on a pile of wooden bricks, and wouldn't be discovered again until late the following winter."
Overall the book was full of surprises and valuable lessons, and was a fast and whimsical read, albeit not always a light one.
"Noah shook his head quickly, throwing the laugh out of his mouth and over to the corner of the toy shop where it landed on a pile of wooden bricks, and wouldn't be discovered again until late the following winter."
Overall the book was full of surprises and valuable lessons, and was a fast and whimsical read, albeit not always a light one.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Listened to the audiobook.
The story was really heartwarming.
Similar to A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
The story was really heartwarming.
Similar to A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne is a magical work of art. What appears superficially to be just another juvenile adventure book, is, in truth, the most beautiful and deeply touching fairy tale I've had the pleasure of reading in a long time.
Noah is an extremely vulnerable and bright young boy, who, at the age of 8, have decided to escape from his home and his parents, in hope of experiencing some great, life-changing adventures. Or, should I say, this is what Noah convinces himself to believe. He tells himself that adventure sounds much better than the real reason for him leaving home. A reason, which he does not even want to think about. And so he decides to go out to "make his own way in the world", to do something meaningful with his life, achieve something impressive.
We follow Noah's every move, since the moment he puts on his coat, opens the door and sneaks out of the house. As he runs, Noah enters an enchanting land, straight out of the pages of children's book. He walks into the world of magic, talking animals and moving trees. He meets many interesting individuals along his path, a talking Dachshund, an ever-hungry (and also talking) donkey, an exceptionally short man with a black wig.. And then he reaches a mysterious toy shop, full of hand-crafted wooden toys. Inside the store he finds whispering puppets, doors that move and speak, a floor that shifts and moves around, to make up for the deficiency of floorboards, and many, many other extraordinary things. He also meets a strange and enigmatic man, who invites him in for lunch and tells him the story of his life. As these two talk, we learn more and more about both the elderly man, and Noah, and we begin to understand the real motivation behind Noah's escape.
The story comes to a surprising and heart-breaking conclusion, that left me speechless. I was deeply moved by this book and impressed with John Boyne's fabulous writing style. The novel addresses many awfully important issues of both childhood and adulthood, like friendship, bullying, loss of someone close to us and ways to deal with it, broken promises, aging and inevitability of death, importance of facing and overcoming our fears, being there for each other in times of need and making the most out of the time we have with our families. The profound depth of this story and rare sensitivity with which it's told, unforgettable characters, spellbinding encounters and deeply moving conclusion will no doubt make this story resonate with readers of all ages. I myself will make sure that my children will grow up reading this wonderful book.
Noah Barleywater Runs Away is not just any book, it's a sparkling gem among children's novels. Meaningful and memorable, it will no doubt have a special place in your heart. I highly recommend buying a copy for yourself, it's not only a must-read, but definitely a must-have, too!
I think I liked this more because I listened to the audiobook and I like it when British men read me books. This was feeling very "down the rabbit hole" and then it kind of settled in to some flashback stories and life lessons. I appreciate the lessons that Noah learned from the old man, but I kind of wish he would have kept on with his travel and that we could have met some more interesting characters.