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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I’m still grappling with what the theme of this is supposed to be. Turned the page enough, but still not sure what I got out of reading this book. Blah really.
Age: High School
State: Arkansas
I enjoy reading YA literature for its originality in plot and setting, or its humor, or its suspense. Rarely do I read YA lit where the themes or overall purpose are not entirely evident or explained (The Book Thief comes to mind). In other words, very significant features are left up to the interpretation of the reader. The reader is forced to examine the book's literary devices and philosophical predicaments in order to derive the true meaning. This practice is like crack for English literature buffs.
Where Things Come Back accomplishes all these feats, including the typical YA features. The novel looks at fate and destiny, and questions if there is room for second chances--and humankind's obsession with second chances. This obsession is insurmountable because we are so focused on the search that we miss the answers. Where Things Come Back settles perfectly as an award winner because it has depth that goes beyond a teen's troubled life, and really approaches these complex questions.
Amidst all this analysis, Whaley deploys suspense by providing two very different story lines that eventually merge. So good!
Song lyrics on page 102 = Sufjan Stevens "Chicago"
State: Arkansas
I enjoy reading YA literature for its originality in plot and setting, or its humor, or its suspense. Rarely do I read YA lit where the themes or overall purpose are not entirely evident or explained (The Book Thief comes to mind). In other words, very significant features are left up to the interpretation of the reader. The reader is forced to examine the book's literary devices and philosophical predicaments in order to derive the true meaning. This practice is like crack for English literature buffs.
Where Things Come Back accomplishes all these feats, including the typical YA features. The novel looks at fate and destiny, and questions if there is room for second chances--and humankind's obsession with second chances. This obsession is insurmountable because we are so focused on the search that we miss the answers. Where Things Come Back settles perfectly as an award winner because it has depth that goes beyond a teen's troubled life, and really approaches these complex questions.
Amidst all this analysis, Whaley deploys suspense by providing two very different story lines that eventually merge. So good!
Song lyrics on page 102 = Sufjan Stevens "Chicago"
The best thing I can say about this book is that the entire time I was reading it, I could not even begin to guess how it was going to end. None of the characters or plot lines seem to be connected in any way, yet they all come together perfectly at the end. I can see why this won the Printz award, for it is well-written and a fresh story, especially compared to the lack of originality in so many other young adult books. I'm not sure this would appeal to all teens, but I enjoyed it and think others will as well.
I must say, though, that I strongly disliked the way Cullen constantly referred to himself in third person. At first it was okay, but by the third or fourth time I was rolling my eyes. I think less is definitely more, in this case.
I must say, though, that I strongly disliked the way Cullen constantly referred to himself in third person. At first it was okay, but by the third or fourth time I was rolling my eyes. I think less is definitely more, in this case.
When Cullen Whitter's younger brother, Gabriel, suddenly vanishes, he's set adrift. He tries to keep it together while losing hope of his brother's safe return. In the meantime, his small hometown suddenly becomes obsessed with the possibility that a long-thought-extinct Lazarus Woodpecker has resurfaced in their area, more obsessed than they are with finding Gabriel.
I really loved the main story line of Where Things Come Back. Cullen was an interesting character, and I thought the portrayal of his grief (and the grief of his family and close friends) felt very real and poignant.
The secondary story line does eventually connect to the main narrative, but I didn't find it all that interesting or important in the end. I would've like the book better without it.
I really loved the main story line of Where Things Come Back. Cullen was an interesting character, and I thought the portrayal of his grief (and the grief of his family and close friends) felt very real and poignant.
The secondary story line does eventually connect to the main narrative, but I didn't find it all that interesting or important in the end. I would've like the book better without it.
This was one of my favorites in high school and I decided to reread it for fun. What I remembered to be poignant and insightful as a teen was more… bland as an adult. I found the hardest character to connect with in the entire book was the main character, Cullen, who is somehow aware of his cynicism while simultaneously being ruthlessly judgmental of others and expecting his friends and family to cure him of it.
One thing I did not remember in this book was how borderline misogynistic it was. I truly felt like Cullen did not like women in an almost insidious way. It was always “slut” this and “whore” that. Even his best friend’s girlfriend is intolerable (until she starts cooking and working for his family). There is one instance that stood out to me— Cullen takes a girl down to the river, they make out or something, then on the way home he starts laughing at the ridiculous nature of their encounter. She gets self-conscious and they argue, him saying something that implied he wanted them to go further and her saying “I’m sorry I’m not a whore.” Cullen then says he doesn’t like whores and she leaves him to walk home. Her brother later comes and picks Cullen up. Cullen tells her brother that his sister is crazy, and he agrees and says she overreacts to everything. Blah blah blah honor is defended because the brother punches Cullen. But is it? Cullen badmouths the girl. Her very brother does too. Cullen shows infinite more sympathy for the brother— who apparently is perceived as dumb by most of the townspeople— than he shows for his insecure sister. And that’s how the whole book feels. The men are twisted and complex and worth our empathy, while the women are shallow or hysterical or boring caregivers. Even the bully character, the Quit Man, has his redeeming qualities shared to the MC by his ex-girlfriend (who, by the way, becomes a boring caregiver, who Cullen admits to not caring about despite him fawning over her the whole first third of the book— speaking of, why was there so little writing about their relationship?)
I was really disappointed that the book contained so much poor writing of women. I don’t know how that got past me as a teenager. It was enough to dock a full star. If the author had shown even a fraction of the sympathy and attention he showed his male characters to Aunt Julia, or Laura Fish, or Ada or Alma or Mena, this could perhaps be a teen classic. I found Lucas, Benton, and Gabriel to be especially compelling characters. But it was just… really hard to deal with Cullen. Oh well. I can stop recommending this book now I guess.
One thing I did not remember in this book was how borderline misogynistic it was. I truly felt like Cullen did not like women in an almost insidious way. It was always “slut” this and “whore” that. Even his best friend’s girlfriend is intolerable (until she starts cooking and working for his family). There is one instance that stood out to me— Cullen takes a girl down to the river, they make out or something, then on the way home he starts laughing at the ridiculous nature of their encounter. She gets self-conscious and they argue, him saying something that implied he wanted them to go further and her saying “I’m sorry I’m not a whore.” Cullen then says he doesn’t like whores and she leaves him to walk home. Her brother later comes and picks Cullen up. Cullen tells her brother that his sister is crazy, and he agrees and says she overreacts to everything. Blah blah blah honor is defended because the brother punches Cullen. But is it? Cullen badmouths the girl. Her very brother does too. Cullen shows infinite more sympathy for the brother— who apparently is perceived as dumb by most of the townspeople— than he shows for his insecure sister. And that’s how the whole book feels. The men are twisted and complex and worth our empathy, while the women are shallow or hysterical or boring caregivers. Even the bully character, the Quit Man, has his redeeming qualities shared to the MC by his ex-girlfriend (who, by the way, becomes a boring caregiver, who Cullen admits to not caring about despite him fawning over her the whole first third of the book— speaking of, why was there so little writing about their relationship?)
I was really disappointed that the book contained so much poor writing of women. I don’t know how that got past me as a teenager. It was enough to dock a full star. If the author had shown even a fraction of the sympathy and attention he showed his male characters to Aunt Julia, or Laura Fish, or Ada or Alma or Mena, this could perhaps be a teen classic. I found Lucas, Benton, and Gabriel to be especially compelling characters. But it was just… really hard to deal with Cullen. Oh well. I can stop recommending this book now I guess.
This book was so well-written. John Corey Whaley effortlessly weaves two completely unique and different stories together, to create a mysterious and unforgettable roller coaster. Cullen thinks so many smart thoughts throughout the book. I specifically enjoyed when Mr. Whaley would start sentences like "When one is lying on the floor of his bedroom exactly ten weeks and three days after his brother has vanished off the face of the earth, he begins to imagine quite a grandiose scene. . . . ." and would proceed to go onto a complete side story, which were both funny, mysterious, as essential to the storyline. He writes so effortlessly, clearly, mysteriously, and with humor. Most importantly of all, Mr. Whaley makes the reader feel for and with and next to the characters he is writing about. I cannot wait to read more of John Corey Whaley's writings.
I would recommend Where Things Come Back to:
-anyone who is even mildly religious
-anyone who lives in or is interested in small towns
-anyone who likes a good twist and connection of two different points of view
I would recommend Where Things Come Back to:
-anyone who is even mildly religious
-anyone who lives in or is interested in small towns
-anyone who likes a good twist and connection of two different points of view
I appreciate some books, but I don't necessarily enjoy them. This is one of those times. Weaving together 2 seemingly disparate stories, Whaley explores small town life, family, hope, and second chances. More of a character study than a plot-driven novel. The constant switching between first person and third person kept me from falling into a reading flow and makes me question what really happened at the end. I look forward to reading more books from Whaley in the future; this is an excellent debut.
Ugh. I kept waiting for it to get better...and it didn't. Not for me anyway. Final ass-hat tally of 13, and too much forced meaning that I'm unable to comprehend. Not a favorite.
I read Where Things Come Back at a very formative time in my life (right in the midst of my Junior year of high school, 2012). I don’t think I’ve ever fallen as deeply enamored with a book; I tore apart every paragraph, line, word.
There’s so much I could say about this book and my true love for it. John Corey Whaley has a way of writing stories that speak to your soul. All 3 of his published works are impactful and important. Excited to read anything be publishes in the future!
There’s so much I could say about this book and my true love for it. John Corey Whaley has a way of writing stories that speak to your soul. All 3 of his published works are impactful and important. Excited to read anything be publishes in the future!