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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I had to go back and actually write a review, since it's a day later and I'm still pissed off. Here's just a list of things that annoyed me.
* Wendell's whole "trick Jasmine into letting me drug and rape her" thing wasn't even the worst thing he did, as far as Marcelo was concerned. The DEALBREAKER, the moment where Wendell goes BEYOND THE PALE in his evilness is much, much later in the book. The plot to drug and rape Jasmine is just a minor detail, which Jasmine isn't even warned about! She literally never finds out that she's working with a man planning to DRUG AND RAPE HER, because Marcelo and the author never think that's something she deserves to know!
* THE DAD. THE DAD WHO IS SO TERRIBLY ASHAMED OF HIS OWN SON. The dad who does nothing to support or protect his autistic in his first ever work environment! The dad who makes it very clear to his AUTISTIC SON that he's embarrassed and disappointed in him! The mom who literally never checks in on Marcelo and makes sure he's doing okay in the office! The therapists we never hear from again! The endless list of shitty neglectful people who make up this book, who are never called out, and never apologize, and never do right by the main character! That's extremely frustrating to read!
Overall this entire book is just inadequate, and its flaws put itself squarely in a place of contempt for me personally.
* Wendell's whole "trick Jasmine into letting me drug and rape her" thing wasn't even the worst thing he did, as far as Marcelo was concerned. The DEALBREAKER, the moment where Wendell goes BEYOND THE PALE in his evilness is much, much later in the book. The plot to drug and rape Jasmine is just a minor detail, which Jasmine isn't even warned about! She literally never finds out that she's working with a man planning to DRUG AND RAPE HER, because Marcelo and the author never think that's something she deserves to know!
* THE DAD. THE DAD WHO IS SO TERRIBLY ASHAMED OF HIS OWN SON. The dad who does nothing to support or protect his autistic in his first ever work environment! The dad who makes it very clear to his AUTISTIC SON that he's embarrassed and disappointed in him! The mom who literally never checks in on Marcelo and makes sure he's doing okay in the office! The therapists we never hear from again! The endless list of shitty neglectful people who make up this book, who are never called out, and never apologize, and never do right by the main character! That's extremely frustrating to read!
Overall this entire book is just inadequate, and its flaws put itself squarely in a place of contempt for me personally.
This book was so refreshing. I loved Marcelo and what he represented. He was painfully naive about the world because of his illness. But there was something poetic and beautiful about it. While he seemed so naive, he was able to teach so much to others. To me, Marcelo represented an innocence within us all. A desire to see the best in people and ourselves. He represented that moment I think we all face when we learn of the pain of the world- the jealousy, the greed, the injustice. Every day it's a struggle to see past those things and find the good and hope. Before working in the "real world," Marcelo didn't know jealousy or competition or desire. He discovered these things through his experience. I think that this novel is about hope and the hope we find within ourselves. The struggle between doing what's right, no matter how hard, and failure to try or take risks because of discomfort. This was a beautiful book, and one of the great characters that I'll always have a fondness for.
This was also an excellent book. I love the way Marcelo forces us to look at our world differently by watching it through his eyes. Also, I like how the book shows the way life changes you over time.
When I started this book, I was felt like it was a very boring story at first and that was for the first 40 pages! As I got into the story, I started to like the plot much better, and I got used to the story being told in 3rd person! Overall, this was a book with an amazing story, and I would highly recommended it!!
Pretty good - reminded me of "The curious incident of the dog in the nighttime".
I read this based on all the great reviews. I enjoyed it well enough. However, I didn't find it to be Printz worthy (which was a lot of the talk I'd been hearing). I thought Marcello was a well developed character, but his "nemisis" Wendall was a stereotype (rich boy who gets to do whatever he wants and get away with it). Have to say I was relieved it DIDN'T win the Printz, although it did get an honor.
This book was a really good quick read and was a cute story about a boy with very little autismish thingy who learns to live and accept the real world.
I found this book so boring! Nothing really happens and there isn’t much of a plot
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes