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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
This is the book that inspired the movie October Sky. It's worth reading even if you have seen the movie. It includes all of the elements of a good memoir--a coming of age story involving a kid who beats the odds, dynamic characters with complex familial relationships, and a bit of romance thrown in. I'm surprised to see that there are sequels, though, and am not interested in reading them.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Blood, Grief, Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
This book made me cry and is also Hilarious. V good time, would recommend.
I adore the movie "October Sky" so I bought this book waaay back when I was thoroughly obsessed with pre-Brokeback Mountain Jake Gyllenhaal. Book deals a lot with the mining town and lifestyle; I kinda want them to start talking about the rockets already.
A really good read in my opinion. Couldn't put it down once I started.
I have probably seen October Sky about a dozen times and it is one of my favorite movies... But the book is almost always better than the movie and Rocket Boys is a perfect example. I know the story well and I still couldn't put it down- I can't wait to read Hickam's other books!
4 STARS
"With the grace of a natural storyteller, NASA engineer Homer Hickam paints a warm, vivid portrait of the harsh West Virginia mining town of his youth, evoking a time of innocence and promise, when anything was possible, even in a company town that swallowed its men alive. A story of romance and loss, of growing up and getting out, Homer Hickam's lush, lyrical memoir is a chronicle of triumph--at once exquisitely written and marvelously entertaining.
One of the most beloved bestsellers in recent years, Rocket Boys is a uniquely American memoir. A powerful, luminous story of coming of age at the end of the 1950s, it is the story of a mother's love and a father's fears, of growing up and getting out. With the grace of a natural storyteller, Homer Hickam looks back after a distinguished NASA career to tell his own true story of growing up in a dying coal town and of how, against the odds, he made his dreams of launching rockets into outer space come true.
A story of romance and loss and a keen portrait of life at an extraordinary point in American history, Rocket Boys is a chronicle of triumph." (From Amazon)
I don't know why I really liked this memoir...but it was so interesting as was the movie.
"With the grace of a natural storyteller, NASA engineer Homer Hickam paints a warm, vivid portrait of the harsh West Virginia mining town of his youth, evoking a time of innocence and promise, when anything was possible, even in a company town that swallowed its men alive. A story of romance and loss, of growing up and getting out, Homer Hickam's lush, lyrical memoir is a chronicle of triumph--at once exquisitely written and marvelously entertaining.
One of the most beloved bestsellers in recent years, Rocket Boys is a uniquely American memoir. A powerful, luminous story of coming of age at the end of the 1950s, it is the story of a mother's love and a father's fears, of growing up and getting out. With the grace of a natural storyteller, Homer Hickam looks back after a distinguished NASA career to tell his own true story of growing up in a dying coal town and of how, against the odds, he made his dreams of launching rockets into outer space come true.
A story of romance and loss and a keen portrait of life at an extraordinary point in American history, Rocket Boys is a chronicle of triumph." (From Amazon)
I don't know why I really liked this memoir...but it was so interesting as was the movie.
As a big fan of the movie October Sky, I figured that its source material would be worth checking out. Hickam's incredibly inspiring story is a testament to how far perseverance and dedication can take individuals intent on following their dreams; it is astounding what this small group of boys in a West Virginia mining town was able to accomplish in their quest to launch rockets. While the book contains more details about Homer's personal life as well as additional information about both Coalwood and the politics of the mine, I preferred the way that the film streamlined the story while still hitting the main points. Occasionally the writing feels pedestrian, but otherwise this is a fairly enjoyable read with a strong message.
Fantastically written and moving story. So so much better than the film (aren't they all?). Will definitely be looking at some of his others