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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
This was a sweet book, but maybe you have to be Welsh to be as charmed as other readers seem to be? This dragged on a bit and I had to pick it up a few different times to finish.
Absolutely beautiful. Right up there with The Grapes of Wrath. I'm going to feel empty for a few days now this book is finished.
I read this in Honors English my sophomore year of high school and it changed my life. First, the people are so real that I still feel like I knew them personally. Second, the depiction of a life and time (living in hard conditions, working the mines in South Wales, all with repercussions that could easily be fatal) that was so different from my own really helped me appreciate and empathize with others ever since. Third, I hated reading books that were required, simply because they were required. This book forced me to acknowledge that my teachers might actually have something to teach me. The impact must have been significant, because I've made a life of teaching to this day, as a college professor. It's extremely well written and gripping. Highly recommended!
How do I review a book such as this? I'm at a loss for words.
I watched the movie recently and was enchanted by it - the characters, the language, the singing, little Roddy McDowell and the dad from National Velvet and the mom from The Parent Trap and all these big brothers and Mr. Gryffudd and basically everything about the story, it was nothing short of enchanting. Huw searching for his father in the mine and calling out "Daaaa daaa!" is a scene that will stay with me for a long time.
So - all of those feelings I felt while watching the movie were amplified by at least ten (maybe more) as I read the book. Well, I actually listened to it, which I would recommend, because the narrator was superb with the accent and intonations of the language, and the words rolled off his tongue like a song and I was taken up with the beauty of the Welsh names and sayings and found myself saying "Hisht child!" and Ianto and Ceridwen and Ceinwen and Dai Bando and many others just because they're so pleasing to say. I'm seriously considering naming my next dog one of these names just so I can say it all the time.
I'll definitely be reading and listening to this one again.
I watched the movie recently and was enchanted by it - the characters, the language, the singing, little Roddy McDowell and the dad from National Velvet and the mom from The Parent Trap and all these big brothers and Mr. Gryffudd and basically everything about the story, it was nothing short of enchanting. Huw searching for his father in the mine and calling out "Daaaa daaa!" is a scene that will stay with me for a long time.
So - all of those feelings I felt while watching the movie were amplified by at least ten (maybe more) as I read the book. Well, I actually listened to it, which I would recommend, because the narrator was superb with the accent and intonations of the language, and the words rolled off his tongue like a song and I was taken up with the beauty of the Welsh names and sayings and found myself saying "Hisht child!" and Ianto and Ceridwen and Ceinwen and Dai Bando and many others just because they're so pleasing to say. I'm seriously considering naming my next dog one of these names just so I can say it all the time.
I'll definitely be reading and listening to this one again.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I do not understand why people like this book so much. The writing is beautiful, but the story is so uninteresting and the characters all got on my nerves.
Another one I had to read back in high school, but I loved it. It's a classic coming-of-age tale.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
There is lovely.
I think this book will remain in my thoughts for a really really long time. I’m devastated that it’s over.
I think this book will remain in my thoughts for a really really long time. I’m devastated that it’s over.