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lorimanning's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It's weird, but not so weird that it is hard to understand.
kurtwombat's review against another edition
3.0
As a child I voraciously consumed the original Twilight Zone. Loved every episode where expectations were shattered under the hammer of a twist ending. There was one however, that as a small child I always felt I was missing something. That episode, FIVE CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN EXIT, was about five people in various costumes (soldier, ballerina, etc) who find themselves in a cylindrical room with no memories and no doors. What I didn’t know then was that it was inspired by SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR (Pirandello) and NO EXIT (Sartre). Knowing this now gives the episode greater texture but as a kid I only knew that there was something deeper there that I couldn’t grasp yet. And I like that feeling—finding myself in depths I don’t quite understand.
I would not normally approach a young adult novel like THE ALEX CROW with expectations of depth, but as I began the novel it teased me to hope. The thought process of the main character and how his approach to the world was shaped by the atrocities that he lived through is very well presented. His interaction with authority, fellow refugees and newly adopted family all engaging and as often funny as tender. Rooted in paranoia of clandestine government research into technological terrors, the novel sports some nifty sci-fi creations (especially the title creation). The narrative has a nice pull—you want to keep reading. Seems to be all about surviving the process—refugee camp—summer camp—road trip—childhood. But as the book draws to a conclusion, the pull ends. There seemed to be nothing at the end of the rope that had been pulling me along and despite all the movement, I felt like I had never left the shallow end of the pool.
Considerable quality time is given to the main character’s back story with seemingly little direct payoff. Reminded me of coming to the end of Stephen King’s IT—the most disappointed I have ever been at the ending of a book. (Really, a giant ****** from outer space!) At least with IT, however, the build up of the characters was so strong that even after the ending ****** me off, I found myself coming back to the characters—their joys and fears and how they leaned on each other to get through it all. The draw of THE CROW was not nearly as strong so I was left with SEVERAL CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN ENDING. Would still recommend it for younger readers who might be satisfied by the journey. I didn’t end up anywhere I hadn’t already been.
I would not normally approach a young adult novel like THE ALEX CROW with expectations of depth, but as I began the novel it teased me to hope. The thought process of the main character and how his approach to the world was shaped by the atrocities that he lived through is very well presented. His interaction with authority, fellow refugees and newly adopted family all engaging and as often funny as tender. Rooted in paranoia of clandestine government research into technological terrors, the novel sports some nifty sci-fi creations (especially the title creation). The narrative has a nice pull—you want to keep reading. Seems to be all about surviving the process—refugee camp—summer camp—road trip—childhood. But as the book draws to a conclusion, the pull ends. There seemed to be nothing at the end of the rope that had been pulling me along and despite all the movement, I felt like I had never left the shallow end of the pool.
Considerable quality time is given to the main character’s back story with seemingly little direct payoff. Reminded me of coming to the end of Stephen King’s IT—the most disappointed I have ever been at the ending of a book. (Really, a giant ****** from outer space!) At least with IT, however, the build up of the characters was so strong that even after the ending ****** me off, I found myself coming back to the characters—their joys and fears and how they leaned on each other to get through it all. The draw of THE CROW was not nearly as strong so I was left with SEVERAL CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN ENDING. Would still recommend it for younger readers who might be satisfied by the journey. I didn’t end up anywhere I hadn’t already been.
marpesea's review
4.0
I think I liked it? I mean, I know I did, but It's more complicated and stranger than I expected. It has surprising depth for a novel that's an eighth masturbation jokes. Recommended for mature teens and up with moderately strong stomachs.
I'm going to have to read more by Andrew Smith.
I'm going to have to read more by Andrew Smith.
docpacey's review
4.0
A truly strange, yet hilariously engaging yarn. Ariel is a boy who has already, in 15 yrs, lived many lives. An orphan from a mysterious country halfway around the world, he finds himself at summer camp in west virginia, trying to bond with his adopted brother max. For a kid who doesn't speak, he has a lot to say.
Alex is a suicidal crow.
The Dumpling Man is...well, he just is.
Leonard Fountain is melting.
Excuse me now while I finish my Goodreads review.
Alex is a suicidal crow.
The Dumpling Man is...well, he just is.
Leonard Fountain is melting.
Excuse me now while I finish my Goodreads review.
heathersbike's review
Well. That was certainly... different. This was an audio-roulette book and it was all about conspiracies and Big Brother. I'm not a teenage boy and I have never been one. Maybe this would resonate more with the intended audience. I did want to know how it ended. But the story itself was just too .. I guess boy-centric. Again, not the intended audience. I would be interested to know if they appreciate it. Overall, I didnt.
nkarlz's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the second half of this more than the first - I read that bit in one sitting. The way the plot points all began to tie together was fascinating. I've never read anything quite like this before, and I'll definitely be picking up more of Andrew Smith's books in the future.
harley_n66's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sandeestarlite's review
1.0
While this may be a valid read about teenage boys, the women in it are portrayed so one dimensionally it was painful to read. There's also a side story that kept popping up that added nothing to the story. That part could have been covered in a paragraph, rather than dragging this character through the whole story.
kellyk_15's review against another edition
4.0
Spoiler
tbh, when the boys were getting the flag, I though Max would get shot and die. It made sense to me at the time because normally when people tell a story like Ariel was doing throughout the book to max the person they're talking to is dead, so I kind of freaked out and had to put the book down for a little bit. But then Max was fine!I don't have many other thoughts.