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kleonard's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great YA book about child trafficking and immigration. Told through various viewpoints, including those of the child immigrant who is trafficked for manual labor, those who profit from his work, those who seek to stop trafficking, and others, the novel is set in a dystopian England where the poor are shuttered into enclaves, where cheap labor is used for all sorts of industry and business. After escaping from one abusive and exploitative situation, the primary protagonist seeks out other work and news of his mother, but ultimately--and heartbreakingly--returns back to his original place of life and work, reasoning it is better that the other options available to him. I recommend this for classrooms (grades 5 and up, maybe?), library book clubs and youth reading groups, and for kids and parents/guardians/family to read together.
fernfacon's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
jennie_cole's review against another edition
3.0
Bridge 108 is the story of a refugee boy during the near future when southern Europe is in a climate crisis. Caleb is an interesting boy who gets trafficked into a community in England. The interesting thing is that he does not really even realize that he was trafficked. Shortly after arriving he "escapes" and ends up as a migrant worker. Caleb spends the next five years developing hope that he will have a great life in this new country but has he already found the place where he belongs.
Bridge 108 was a interesting concept but it moved so quickly. While Caleb might spend a decent amount of time in some of the location he lands the story does not making it hard to really get a feeling for the place or what he experiences. This makes it hard to fully understand his choice in the end. Usually I feel like books are too long now a days but this one could have been slightly longer.
Bridge 108 was a interesting concept but it moved so quickly. While Caleb might spend a decent amount of time in some of the location he lands the story does not making it hard to really get a feeling for the place or what he experiences. This makes it hard to fully understand his choice in the end. Usually I feel like books are too long now a days but this one could have been slightly longer.
sls2181's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book. A fictional dystopian commentary on our climate change and immigration crisis’? Sign me up.
But these characters were extremely uninteresting and lacked engagement. I felt like the narration kept the readers at arms length for no particular reason. I never fully understood or empathized with any of them. That was also due to the extremely simplistic and almost austere writing style of Charnock.
I could see arguments that this tone was a choice within itself and also a commentary on how the future will be more based around the simplicity of bare bones survival but it didn’t make me wanna read it so there’s that.
But these characters were extremely uninteresting and lacked engagement. I felt like the narration kept the readers at arms length for no particular reason. I never fully understood or empathized with any of them. That was also due to the extremely simplistic and almost austere writing style of Charnock.
I could see arguments that this tone was a choice within itself and also a commentary on how the future will be more based around the simplicity of bare bones survival but it didn’t make me wanna read it so there’s that.
catbooking's review against another edition
2.0
A book about how you will get abused by the system whether or not you are part of it.
Overall the book is depressing. But, it also left me feeling distanced and cold to the events. I do not know if it is because we are seeing the events from the POV of a child who is a. traumatized and b. doesn't comprehend 100% what is happening or because of the extra narratives from the other characters that tried to justify their behavior and therefore muted the overall tragedy that is the focus of the book.
Not a great read, just OK.
Overall the book is depressing. But, it also left me feeling distanced and cold to the events. I do not know if it is because we are seeing the events from the POV of a child who is a. traumatized and b. doesn't comprehend 100% what is happening or because of the extra narratives from the other characters that tried to justify their behavior and therefore muted the overall tragedy that is the focus of the book.
Not a great read, just OK.
leokennis's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookanonjeff's review against another edition
3.0
Compelling Premise. Lacking Execution. This was one of those books that seems destined for critical and maybe book club success at the expense of a wider commercial following. It was effectively a more interesting and less utterly depressing character drama in a sort-of-ish style of The Road.
The book only has 10 chapters, 4-5 of which are from the perspective of our main storyline character Caleb, the rest are from various adults on the periphery of the story but which sometimes provide key perspectives that Caleb can't possibly have.
Still, the utter lack of world building can be a solid narrative choice - when executed well. Unfortunately this simply wasn't executed to the level that I generally expect, and I'm not all that picky, y'all.
Finally, the abrupt and inconclusive ending was a bit too much and honestly in and of itself sunk this book from 4* to 3*.
If you enjoyed The Road and/ or generally like "awards season" dramas for your entertainment, you may well like this book. I personally despised the road and prefer more "summer movie season" type entertainment, so it just wasn't for me.
The book only has 10 chapters, 4-5 of which are from the perspective of our main storyline character Caleb, the rest are from various adults on the periphery of the story but which sometimes provide key perspectives that Caleb can't possibly have.
Still, the utter lack of world building can be a solid narrative choice - when executed well. Unfortunately this simply wasn't executed to the level that I generally expect, and I'm not all that picky, y'all.
Finally, the abrupt and inconclusive ending was a bit too much and honestly in and of itself sunk this book from 4* to 3*.
If you enjoyed The Road and/ or generally like "awards season" dramas for your entertainment, you may well like this book. I personally despised the road and prefer more "summer movie season" type entertainment, so it just wasn't for me.
bibliovino's review against another edition
2.0
⭐️⭐️/5 stars
I think this book would have worked as a short story, and maybe it started that way. But the additions didn’t add up to enough. Some interesting world building but only one fully-realized character.
I think this book would have worked as a short story, and maybe it started that way. But the additions didn’t add up to enough. Some interesting world building but only one fully-realized character.
whatireadthisweek's review against another edition
4.0
A really great book - following Caleb's journey into adulthood was both haunting and fascinating. I recently read this book again in 2020, and reading it within the context of the current global pandemic added a further dimension to what seems an unbelievable dystopian thriller. Great.
cpellegrino's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good dystopian read. Bridge 108 provides a very realistic view. This story follows the path of 12 year old Caleb, and his struggle to survive in the changing world after he is separated from his mother. This book left me satisfied, but still able to finish out stories lines in my own head. I even dreamt about it, which it me is always the sign of a good read. I hope to read more from Ms. Charnock!
Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.