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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Dunbar boys are five young brothers living on their own. Their mother has died, and their father has left them. When he shows up years later to ask if any of them want to build a bridge, one brother, Clay agrees to go for reasons no one except Clay can understand.
This book is structurally very interesting. Narrated by the oldest brother, Matthew, it alternates between telling the story of Clay and the other Dunbar boys both before and after the death of their mother, Penny. At times, the writing style makes it almost impossible to figure out what is happening, plot-wise, but at other times it's heart breaking and beautiful. The characters, likewise swung from being a rag-tag bunch of sad, lonely boys to being archetypal ruffians. I liked them best in the former state and had trouble relating to them at all in their latter. There's almost a feeling of magical realism around them, but it never quite tips the scales to embrace it and just ends up feeling a little bit larger than life. This is maybe on purpose as kind of an homage to the Iliad and Odyssey, but I was never super into those works either.
I enjoyed the story, particularly the Michael and Penny timeline, and it hit me in the feels a bunch of times. Definitely worth a read if you're a Zusak or epic poem fan .
This book is structurally very interesting. Narrated by the oldest brother, Matthew, it alternates between telling the story of Clay and the other Dunbar boys both before and after the death of their mother, Penny. At times, the writing style makes it almost impossible to figure out what is happening, plot-wise, but at other times it's heart breaking and beautiful. The characters, likewise swung from being a rag-tag bunch of sad, lonely boys to being archetypal ruffians. I liked them best in the former state and had trouble relating to them at all in their latter. There's almost a feeling of magical realism around them, but it never quite tips the scales to embrace it and just ends up feeling a little bit larger than life. This is maybe on purpose as kind of an homage to the Iliad and Odyssey, but I was never super into those works either.
I enjoyed the story, particularly the Michael and Penny timeline, and it hit me in the feels a bunch of times. Definitely worth a read if you're a Zusak or epic poem fan .
Loved the writing! My only complaint is it was too long. Around Part 7 I started to wane.
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s like Markus Zusak wanted to see how pretentiously he could write his next novel. The answer is very.
Held off on starting this one for a long time. Should have never doubted Zusak’s skill. His ability to tell the largest stories in such small, poignant moments astounds me.
It took me a wee while to get the rhythm of the writing style of this book, but then it hit me - it reminded me of the way an artist adds paint to the canvas, moving across the piece adding brushstrokes here and there, building the picture and revealing the story. I started to love the beauty and poetry of the words and became lost in the lives of the Dunbar boys. I could barely read the final chapters, I was crying so much. The loss and pain was almost too much to bear and the love that carried the family through, surviving even death, was devastatingly obvious in every line. I don't know what to tell you - read this book because it is beautiful; but don't read this book because it will break you. Read this book.
What a slog! Was going to use for my book club pick but won't put them through it. Just about gave up on it. Which would typically give it a 2 star rating. However, I pushed through, cried some big tears and found enough good stuff to redeem on more star.
I loved his characters. There are so few books these days that do a good job of showing family. It so much easier for the protagonist to be an only child or come from a small, distant family. I felt that setting Clay solidly in a family of 5 boys was unique and well done. Also, all his female characters were strong and fierce. Loved that.
The poetic, lyrical writing style is what made me pick this book up. It is also what bogged it down. And what saved it. If that makes any sense. He does such a good job describing the heaviness of grief in beautiful, heart breaking ways. If they would have trimmed much of the repetition in this book and shortened it by 100 pages it would have been much better.
I loved his characters. There are so few books these days that do a good job of showing family. It so much easier for the protagonist to be an only child or come from a small, distant family. I felt that setting Clay solidly in a family of 5 boys was unique and well done. Also, all his female characters were strong and fierce. Loved that.
The poetic, lyrical writing style is what made me pick this book up. It is also what bogged it down. And what saved it. If that makes any sense. He does such a good job describing the heaviness of grief in beautiful, heart breaking ways. If they would have trimmed much of the repetition in this book and shortened it by 100 pages it would have been much better.
I could see why many people would struggle with this book, but I loved it! The only reason I'm giving it a 4 instead of a 5 is because of the unnecessary use of foul language.
This story is heartbreaking, but absolutely beautiful. Zusak is incredibly talented at creating vivid word pictures that bring everything together. While there is a good bit of timeline jumping throughout the book, I didn't find it irritating like I often do when authors do this because it added to the story rather than taking away from it. This is a story of family, learning what it means to live in your grief, and forgiveness. Even after 532 pages, I was left wanting to know more about the Dunbar boys and where their story was going to lead.
This story is heartbreaking, but absolutely beautiful. Zusak is incredibly talented at creating vivid word pictures that bring everything together. While there is a good bit of timeline jumping throughout the book, I didn't find it irritating like I often do when authors do this because it added to the story rather than taking away from it. This is a story of family, learning what it means to live in your grief, and forgiveness. Even after 532 pages, I was left wanting to know more about the Dunbar boys and where their story was going to lead.
This was one of the most special and beautiful books I've ever read. The characters and story and heart of the Dunbar boys left me broken and happy and aching and full of joy. It was such an honest delight to read... Clay, Carey & Penny will stay with me for a long time.