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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Maybe I am just not getting the appeal. .. I couldn't even finish it. . .weird
So many individuals do not seem to take teenagers seriously, nor think that they can handle adult concepts. But, this book, most everyone should read. The story of a slave, who does not understand that he is a slave until late in his childhood, told through his own adult words and letters inserted throughout the novel. I have been so disappointed with the books I have read lately, it was nice to thoroughly enjoy something!
First, let me say that I really enjoyed this book. There were some points where I found myself so deeply affected, so sad or frustrated, that I had to take a break. It was wonderful.
I do have a couple quibbles, though. First, this is supposed to be a YA novel. I don't know that I agree with this classification. I am good at three things: board games, untying really tough knots, and reading. And I thought this was a challenging book. Not hard, exactly, but challenging. The back says it's for readers who are fourteen or up, but I would say sixteen or seventeen. And then it's basically an adult book. Next, there's a break in the narration in the third part that I found jarring. It's supposed to be, because some pretty awful stuff happens in the second part. But still, I don't know if it worked completely.
As I said, though, these are only minor complaints. I am enthusiastically waiting for Volume II.
I do have a couple quibbles, though. First, this is supposed to be a YA novel. I don't know that I agree with this classification. I am good at three things: board games, untying really tough knots, and reading. And I thought this was a challenging book. Not hard, exactly, but challenging. The back says it's for readers who are fourteen or up, but I would say sixteen or seventeen. And then it's basically an adult book. Next, there's a break in the narration in the third part that I found jarring. It's supposed to be, because some pretty awful stuff happens in the second part. But still, I don't know if it worked completely.
As I said, though, these are only minor complaints. I am enthusiastically waiting for Volume II.
The title led me to believe the book would be whimsical, and I read it on the recommendation of a friend from long ago, without previewing.
And it was terrible and difficult, but truly excellent.
I am sad to say I've never before really spent a long amount of time thinking through the hypocrisies of a war for liberty, followed by 100 more years of slavery -- it's something I'm aware of, but never took the time to put myself in the shoes of living through it. Now, being white and on the brink of marrying my African-American fiancee, I spend a lot more time in general contemplating issues of race, because the issue has moved out of the realm of the theoretical, philosophical, and political, into the personal. Not just friends and loved ones, but the experience mine own children will live through. This book, on all those grounds, made me shake with anger, and weep with frustration for how baldly horrible human beings can be to each other. I'm not sure I'll be able to read the whole series -- but am very glad M.T. Anderson took the time to write this book.
And it was terrible and difficult, but truly excellent.
I am sad to say I've never before really spent a long amount of time thinking through the hypocrisies of a war for liberty, followed by 100 more years of slavery -- it's something I'm aware of, but never took the time to put myself in the shoes of living through it. Now, being white and on the brink of marrying my African-American fiancee, I spend a lot more time in general contemplating issues of race, because the issue has moved out of the realm of the theoretical, philosophical, and political, into the personal. Not just friends and loved ones, but the experience mine own children will live through. This book, on all those grounds, made me shake with anger, and weep with frustration for how baldly horrible human beings can be to each other. I'm not sure I'll be able to read the whole series -- but am very glad M.T. Anderson took the time to write this book.
Absolutely marvelous. Read in one sitting on an airplane, and I thought I was nuts to bring this book along.
I could read a whole book of letters from Evidence Goring to his sister.
I could read a whole book of letters from Evidence Goring to his sister.
Shocking and distressing. Original way of telling the story, with very NOT omniscient narrator(s). Having grown up with lots of exposure to this geographic area - and this period of history (my grandfather reenacted the march to concord from Sudbury every April, and I've walked all over Bunker Hill etc) - it was especially interesting to me, with lots I didn't know.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
The language takes a bit to get used to but once you do, this is a truly poetic and gruesome and horrible book (horrible in the fact that it is based in truth, I recommend reading the Author’s Note at the end). It’s not a thrilling book but I think it’s an important book and urge anyone who’s having a tough time at the start to keep pushing through
I couldn't get past this writer's style. After an hour I just said, get to the point. I am done.