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A review by caity_c
The Underdog by Markus Zusak
3.0
3.75 stars
I picked this up at the library on a whim, it looked short and something I could read in under two hours on one of the library’s armchairs. Having read The Book Thief, I had high expectations of this book. It was very different to his latter novels but it did not let me down. Two hours well spent.
The mind of a 15 year old boy is a weird place to be. However, I really enjoyed the simplicity of the story line and the depths the author went to explore the conscience and reality of a male teenager.
I wonder if Zusak read ‘The Outsiders’ because this had a strikingly similar story line, which I did not know if it was purposely copied or unconsciously done. The Outsiders is my favourite book though, so this paled in comparison. The older brother in both novels is called Steve, and is good looking and hard working. Even the supposedly mean kid is called Daryl too just like the Outsiders. Ponyboy and Cameron are very similar in their personality types too. Thus, I could not give this novel the five stars it possibly deserved as I felt like it was a cheaper rip off.
Furthermore, comments about acne and scruffy hair being something that can make you less attractive or meaningful were unnecessary. As I would never judge someone with acne, having had a cousin who has struggled with it her whole life. Comments like this make people self conscious.
I picked this up at the library on a whim, it looked short and something I could read in under two hours on one of the library’s armchairs. Having read The Book Thief, I had high expectations of this book. It was very different to his latter novels but it did not let me down. Two hours well spent.
The mind of a 15 year old boy is a weird place to be. However, I really enjoyed the simplicity of the story line and the depths the author went to explore the conscience and reality of a male teenager.
I wonder if Zusak read ‘The Outsiders’ because this had a strikingly similar story line, which I did not know if it was purposely copied or unconsciously done. The Outsiders is my favourite book though, so this paled in comparison. The older brother in both novels is called Steve, and is good looking and hard working. Even the supposedly mean kid is called Daryl too just like the Outsiders. Ponyboy and Cameron are very similar in their personality types too. Thus, I could not give this novel the five stars it possibly deserved as I felt like it was a cheaper rip off.
Furthermore, comments about acne and scruffy hair being something that can make you less attractive or meaningful were unnecessary. As I would never judge someone with acne, having had a cousin who has struggled with it her whole life. Comments like this make people self conscious.