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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
A gift book: an author and title both completely new to me which made for an interesting adventure in reading. Not bad. Quite compelling, in fact, by the time all the parts and pieces got tied up at the end. And a first class tour of Britain's East Midlands in the 1970's! (Characters munch on Quavers, Bourbon Biscuits, Hobnobs, Garibaldi's, Turkish Delights, fig rolls and Angel Delight -- you'll have to read it to find out what they are.). I liked this strange little excursion to a small English town where children work at navigating the rocky shoals of friendship and adults could use some serious instruction in how to be adults. If you try to read it as a mystery you might be frustrated -- but as a series of character studies it is fascinating! (Americans aren't the only ones who are insular and blinkered. Upon meeting the Kapoor family one character asks "So, where are you from?" "Birmingham." "Yes, but where are you really from?" "Edgbaston" [evidently a wealthy suburb of Birmingham]). My UU minister would love the 10 year old narrator's eventual conclusions about goats and sheep in the Bible.
If I had known that there would be a Jem and Scout-like innocence and a Boo Radley character in this, I'd have read this sooner.
This little gem of a mystery sees two kids search for Jesus in the hope of finding their missing neighbour. The secrets of the street are uncovered, as the girls Discover that their seemingly normal neighbours are covering up a heinous crime. Set in the sweltering summer of 1976, this is a touching but troubling tale of predudice and victimisation.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 stars. I see in other reviews that a lot of people found this story to be inspirational and light. Did I read the same book as you? A neighborhood conspired to *kill* someone that they did not like after framing him for stealing a child. Nine years later, these same neighbors make racist comments to and about their new neighbors while continuing to ostracize the man whose mother they murdered and have conspired to keep secret. The characters are mostly shallow and unlikeable and have their own "shame" (the author's word). I guess this is supposed to be a morality tale about not judging people but they did judge a family to the point that one of them died and they continue to judge their new neighbors.
Yes, Tilly and Grace were charming girls. The adults however...
Yes, Tilly and Grace were charming girls. The adults however...
Delightful. A beautifully constructed tale where all the loose ends start to connect right up until... Well, let's just say the ending is genius and made me laugh out loud. Loved seeing it all through the eyes of a child too. A great perspective and a good reminder to consider your own biases, unconscious or otherwise.
slow-paced
funny
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes