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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
A little slower pace, but the author includes humor and writes in a way that helps me connect with the protagonist.
Such a sucker for an "and everyone came together to help" story
This magnificent book based on Homer Hickam's teen years has it all- coming-of-age tale, a Horatio Alger tale of working your way to success despite seemingly insurmountable odds, It Takes A Village, the rise and fall of a Coal Mining town, the sometimes strained relations of families, and much more. It is a story of the heart and soul of America- at least what we used to be, or thought we were.
This is a tale of a boy with a dream of launching rockets, despite being from a rural mining town, deciding on a course of action, taking on the whole world he knew. How he achieved his goals is a study in perseverance and determination, good old-fashioned country grit. And how he was helped by the greater part of a community, overcoming adversity and prejudice and doubt. When all he and his people knew was the mine next door, this youth dreamed of the stars, and achieved his own escape velocity out of that constricted environment.
Definitely a must-read. Many life lessons to be learned.
This is a tale of a boy with a dream of launching rockets, despite being from a rural mining town, deciding on a course of action, taking on the whole world he knew. How he achieved his goals is a study in perseverance and determination, good old-fashioned country grit. And how he was helped by the greater part of a community, overcoming adversity and prejudice and doubt. When all he and his people knew was the mine next door, this youth dreamed of the stars, and achieved his own escape velocity out of that constricted environment.
Definitely a must-read. Many life lessons to be learned.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
First non-fiction read I've really enjoyed--like FICTION LEVEL enjoyed.
Homer reminded me a lot of my Dad--the nerdy kid with big glasses who built model planes.
I could relate to Homer - the loneliness of being different, sensitive, low self-confidence.
Sad that he, his dad, and Jim never really had relationships with one another.
Surprised Homer fought in Vietnam.
So many people believed in him, but the one person he wanted that from (his dad) never did; verbally anyway. Their "relationship" was definitely "It's complicated."
Homer reminded me a lot of my Dad--the nerdy kid with big glasses who built model planes.
I could relate to Homer - the loneliness of being different, sensitive, low self-confidence.
Sad that he, his dad, and Jim never really had relationships with one another.
Surprised Homer fought in Vietnam.
So many people believed in him, but the one person he wanted that from (his dad) never did; verbally anyway. Their "relationship" was definitely "It's complicated."
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Very enjoyable read, had watched the movie and the book was of course much better--more characterization, the mother is quite an interesting and inspiring character.
This book, from which the film October Sky is based, was excellent! Much more detail than what could ever be put into a movie and much more fun. My favorite character: Homer/Sonny’s mother Elsie. She was an amazing woman. I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this incredibly square book. There are so many ways this memoir of a kid in the coal country of West Va who dreams of building rockets could go wrong, but except for a protracted ending, it doesn't. Instead, all the characters are fresh, complex, and well-drawn. Hickam doesn't make himself out to be a saint or excuse his actions from a later vantage point. He shows an awareness of the socio-economic reality of the company town he lived in, writes decent women as well as men, and moves the story along, bringing characters and scenarios to a head and resolving in a satisfying way. It's so polished you want to judge if it's not actually fiction.
This book, in spite of doing exactly what it promised, really impressed me.
This book, in spite of doing exactly what it promised, really impressed me.