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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book centers mostly around fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold whose mother has become ill so he must stay with his grandmother, Kate. His grandmother, though, is a writer, and she is traveling to the jungles of the Amazon to track a legendary Beast that presumably makes its home there. Alex travels with his grandmother and her team that includes her guide, Cesar Santos, and his twelve-year-old daughter, Nadia. Interestingly, Nadia has a pet monkey named Boroba. Alex and Nadia become great friends and, eventually, become friends with a native Indian tribe named the "People Of The Mist." When the kids unveil a plan to exterminate the tribe, they spring into action to save their new friends. Ultimately, the book is a tale of growing up and discovering that, when they put their minds to it, they can do anything, even save humanity.
I gave this book four stars, because although it was very well-written, it did seem to drag and become a bit boring in parts. The ending, however, was outstanding and well worth the wait. Isabel Allende used her beloved magic realism to weave a tale of forgotten lands and glorious destinations. I must say, this book will definitely not be forgotten.
I gave this book four stars, because although it was very well-written, it did seem to drag and become a bit boring in parts. The ending, however, was outstanding and well worth the wait. Isabel Allende used her beloved magic realism to weave a tale of forgotten lands and glorious destinations. I must say, this book will definitely not be forgotten.
Ik wilde meteen meer van Isabel Allende lezen. De spanning, de fantasie, de beschrijving van de jungle. Geweldig!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i think i would have liked this more if i read it as a teenager unfortunately there's too many nuances in this book that .. will not fly in today's world. also the translation was clunky at times that I didn't understand why things were happening... yeah anyway very hard 2.25
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
From the book jacket: Fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold has the chance to take the trip of a lifetime. Parting from his family and ill mother, Alexander joins his fearless grandmother, a magazine reporter for International Geographic, on an expedition to the Amazon. Their mission, along with the others on their team – including a celebrated anthropologist, a local guide and his young daughter, Nadia, and a doctor – is to document the legendary Yeti of the Amazon known as the Beast.
My reactions
Allende has crafted a very engaging, fantastical adventure story, with a fair amount of information provided regarding environmental conservation. I did think that Kate (Alexander’s grandmother) was pretty over-the-top, and the anthropologist was little more than a cartoon character. Still, I liked the young people and loved the way that the native indigenous tribes were portrayed. Alexander was just mature enough to be open to new experiences, and young enough to welcome guidance from whomever offered it.
Nadia was a marvelous character, wise beyond her years, brave, resourceful, tenacious, and attuned to the jungle in ways that American Alexander could not possibly be. Their partnership was helpful to both characters, and they complemented one another.
I also really enjoyed the way that Allende reimagined El Dorado and explained the “reality” of that myth.
My reactions
Allende has crafted a very engaging, fantastical adventure story, with a fair amount of information provided regarding environmental conservation. I did think that Kate (Alexander’s grandmother) was pretty over-the-top, and the anthropologist was little more than a cartoon character. Still, I liked the young people and loved the way that the native indigenous tribes were portrayed. Alexander was just mature enough to be open to new experiences, and young enough to welcome guidance from whomever offered it.
Nadia was a marvelous character, wise beyond her years, brave, resourceful, tenacious, and attuned to the jungle in ways that American Alexander could not possibly be. Their partnership was helpful to both characters, and they complemented one another.
I also really enjoyed the way that Allende reimagined El Dorado and explained the “reality” of that myth.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This wasn't my cup of tea, but I still want to read more from Allende because this was her first time writing for younger readers. Maybe I shouldn't expect a ton of nuance from a middle grade novel, but this one seemed especially clunky. I was enjoying the first part, the relationship with his grandmother, and some of the humor, but about halfway through it started to get repetitive and obvious. I also think the depictions of the local indigenous people include a lot of stereotypes along the lines of the "noble savage". It's patronizing and ultimately leads to a lot of white savior moments. On the other hand, it does have a good cautionary message about treating the Amazon (and other ecological areas) with respect. Oh, and the English translation is just clunky, awkward, and kinda annoying.
This is categorized as YA, but I would say it's more kids/preteen. The main character is a 15 year old boy who in many ways seems to be struggling with things he seems a bit too old for. I don't know if the author did this on purpose to add to his character and character development, or if she's just a bit unaware of what 15 year old boys are really like. Either way, the themes of the book are probably more interesting for an audience slightly younger than YA.
The story itself is cute, although I did lift my eyebrow due to the Othering and the romanticizing of tribal culture which is a very strong theme, and especially in the beginning it isn't necessarily clear what the point of this is. However, moving through the story did ease my mind a little, as there does seem to be a link between the structure and symbolism in the story and storytelling traditions and symbolism of indigenous people of the area the book is set in. As I am not from that area, I don't think it is my place to judge how accurate or possibly offensive the representation is here, so I'll leave it at this. Just be aware that these themes are present, and if your kid reads this book, maybe have a conversation with them about these issues afterwards, so they don't grow up with the same unrealistic ideas about indigenous peoples as generations before them.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, although the translation was a bit wonky in places (or the writing was and the translation was very good in that case), and I think it could have been a lot shorter. The ending felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic, everything a bit too convenient, in my opinion, but then again, it's a kids' book.
The story itself is cute, although I did lift my eyebrow due to the Othering and the romanticizing of tribal culture which is a very strong theme, and especially in the beginning it isn't necessarily clear what the point of this is. However, moving through the story did ease my mind a little, as there does seem to be a link between the structure and symbolism in the story and storytelling traditions and symbolism of indigenous people of the area the book is set in. As I am not from that area, I don't think it is my place to judge how accurate or possibly offensive the representation is here, so I'll leave it at this. Just be aware that these themes are present, and if your kid reads this book, maybe have a conversation with them about these issues afterwards, so they don't grow up with the same unrealistic ideas about indigenous peoples as generations before them.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, although the translation was a bit wonky in places (or the writing was and the translation was very good in that case), and I think it could have been a lot shorter. The ending felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic, everything a bit too convenient, in my opinion, but then again, it's a kids' book.
It is a thrilling adventure that combines elements of magical realism with exploration and discovery in the Amazon jungle. The story follows fifteen-year-old Alex and his grandmother Kate as they embark on a journey into the mysterious and dangerous jungle to investigate a legendary creature. Allende weaves a narrative that is both poetic and action-packed, with vivid descriptions that transport you into the heart of the jungle.
The characters are well developed and their evolution throughout the story is remarkable. The relationship between Alex and his grandmother is touching and adds an emotional layer to the plot. In addition, Allende addresses important issues such as nature conservation and indigenous culture in a respectful way.
The characters are well developed and their evolution throughout the story is remarkable. The relationship between Alex and his grandmother is touching and adds an emotional layer to the plot. In addition, Allende addresses important issues such as nature conservation and indigenous culture in a respectful way.