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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Complete review available: Alone on a Wide, Wide Sea
This was a tale of two halves – both intentionally as Morpurgo switched protagonist, but also unintentionally (I’d hope) in finesse. Whilst the opening part tells us of Arthur’s life in Australia with a winding plot, host of simplistic-but-strong characters and readable writing style, the second part feels bland, repetitive and focuses on a character we have no connection to. I also emplore all authors to think carefully before using abstract punctuation, capitalisation and text speak as general prose, because after just a chapter it had me putting this book down while I mentally prepared myself for said torture.
This was a tale of two halves – both intentionally as Morpurgo switched protagonist, but also unintentionally (I’d hope) in finesse. Whilst the opening part tells us of Arthur’s life in Australia with a winding plot, host of simplistic-but-strong characters and readable writing style, the second part feels bland, repetitive and focuses on a character we have no connection to. I also emplore all authors to think carefully before using abstract punctuation, capitalisation and text speak as general prose, because after just a chapter it had me putting this book down while I mentally prepared myself for said torture.
Unusually this Was my favourite book when I was a preteen! Loved it dearly and still do
Alone on a Wide Wide Sea by Michael Morpurgo for the longest while had the honor of being the second book on my wishlist. It had been on there I think since the book was first published. For whatever reason it doesn't seem to have been published here in the States even though many of Morpurgo's other books are in print here.
When the book came out I was very active in BookCrossing especially with book relays, rings and RABCKs (random acts of BookCrossing kindness). Although I don't remember receiving the book via the site, I did, a couple years ago. At the time I received the book I wasn't actively trying to read wishlist books. Thus, out of sight, out of mind.
Flash forward to June 2010. I am participating in the On My Wishlist meme. At the time I had 309 books on my wishlist and Alone on a Wide Wide Sea was number two. Except I had forgotten that I had a copy!
Go forward to the end of the year when I was culling my shelves for books I realized I would never read and should donate to the Friends of the Library. What does my hand fall on? Of course... Alone on a Wide Wide Sea.
The book takes its title from Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It's a poem I've read in pieces many times but still need to sit down and read as an epic poem. The poem itself provides the warp which the plot is woven through.
The book is told in two parts: Arthur Hobhouse's story of life in Australia as a transplanted WWII orphan and Allie Hobhouse's solo sailing trip to England to find her aunt. Arthur's story is one of trying to find a sense of family and belonging. Along the way he grows up and gains the skills he needs to return to England, namely, ship building.
The journey home though isn't Arthur's to take and must instead be taken by his daughter. At the time I was reading the book, there was a girl of similar age making a solo sailing journey around the globe. To keep herself sane on the trip she memorizes the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
At the close of the book Morpurgo explains that the book was inspired by actual families who were split up during the war and adopted off to families in Australia and Canada.
When the book came out I was very active in BookCrossing especially with book relays, rings and RABCKs (random acts of BookCrossing kindness). Although I don't remember receiving the book via the site, I did, a couple years ago. At the time I received the book I wasn't actively trying to read wishlist books. Thus, out of sight, out of mind.
Flash forward to June 2010. I am participating in the On My Wishlist meme. At the time I had 309 books on my wishlist and Alone on a Wide Wide Sea was number two. Except I had forgotten that I had a copy!
Go forward to the end of the year when I was culling my shelves for books I realized I would never read and should donate to the Friends of the Library. What does my hand fall on? Of course... Alone on a Wide Wide Sea.
The book takes its title from Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It's a poem I've read in pieces many times but still need to sit down and read as an epic poem. The poem itself provides the warp which the plot is woven through.
The book is told in two parts: Arthur Hobhouse's story of life in Australia as a transplanted WWII orphan and Allie Hobhouse's solo sailing trip to England to find her aunt. Arthur's story is one of trying to find a sense of family and belonging. Along the way he grows up and gains the skills he needs to return to England, namely, ship building.
The journey home though isn't Arthur's to take and must instead be taken by his daughter. At the time I was reading the book, there was a girl of similar age making a solo sailing journey around the globe. To keep herself sane on the trip she memorizes the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
At the close of the book Morpurgo explains that the book was inspired by actual families who were split up during the war and adopted off to families in Australia and Canada.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
i remember this being my favourite book ever when i read it as a kid. i have such beautiful memories of it and definitely want to pick it up again because i believe that it would be just as good reading it as an adult/teen
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I listened to this as an audiobook as a kid and will always return to Michael Morpurgo's amazing storytelling. It feels extremely soothing to return to his books, and reminds me of falling asleep to them when I was younger. The characters and plot are complex and interesting. The only fault I have is that I find Arthur's story in the first half much more enjoyable than the story from Allie's perspective, but it is still a lovely and emotional read to the end.
I enjoyed this book as it was a quick and easy read. The first half felt a bit rushed though and I could've read a book just about Arthur's story in my detail but I did enjoy Allie's half and it had a beautiful ending full circle moment.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A