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A review by mariahistryingtoread
Swindle by Gordon Korman
5.0
Swindle is one of those reads that I rate primarily based on my enjoyment and its fulfillment of its synopsis. Swindle satisfied both of these requirements which is why it’s five stars.
Is it the next great American novel? No. But, is it memorable, charming, and fun? Heck, yes.
I read this a few times as a kid and a few of the sequels before I aged out of the main demographic. I believe I got up to Showoff, the fourth book, before calling it quits on the series. Now looking back I can firmly say that this one still holds up pretty well.
While a little simplistic in terms of characterization, the central heist is strong enough that it overcomes that aspect. Everyone has a solid, clearly defined role that helps to sell their importance to the story - there are no filler characters taking up the ensemble meaning I was less inclined to complain about lack of substance. Some contribute more than others, but there’s always a reason for it which helps to make it feel less like a bunch of cardboard cutouts going through the motions. The role in the heist also tied directly to their strengths as characters which further cemented the small amounts of depth they did get.
The heist is my favorite part. It’s ridiculous yet at the same time entirely possible. That little kernel of maybe is why I love this book: the idea that I could technically undertake a similar endeavor if only I were to want it enough tickled me as a young reader and it still tickles me today.
The ending is rushed. The pacing is fine for most of the book only for the fallout to be accelerated to hypersonic speed. I wish it had been given more time to breathe especially given the mini mystery shoved into this intervening time.
In summation, high literature this is not: read it anyways. At the very least it’ll pass the time.
Is it the next great American novel? No. But, is it memorable, charming, and fun? Heck, yes.
I read this a few times as a kid and a few of the sequels before I aged out of the main demographic. I believe I got up to Showoff, the fourth book, before calling it quits on the series. Now looking back I can firmly say that this one still holds up pretty well.
While a little simplistic in terms of characterization, the central heist is strong enough that it overcomes that aspect. Everyone has a solid, clearly defined role that helps to sell their importance to the story - there are no filler characters taking up the ensemble meaning I was less inclined to complain about lack of substance. Some contribute more than others, but there’s always a reason for it which helps to make it feel less like a bunch of cardboard cutouts going through the motions. The role in the heist also tied directly to their strengths as characters which further cemented the small amounts of depth they did get.
The heist is my favorite part. It’s ridiculous yet at the same time entirely possible. That little kernel of maybe is why I love this book: the idea that I could technically undertake a similar endeavor if only I were to want it enough tickled me as a young reader and it still tickles me today.
The ending is rushed. The pacing is fine for most of the book only for the fallout to be accelerated to hypersonic speed. I wish it had been given more time to breathe especially given the mini mystery shoved into this intervening time.
In summation, high literature this is not: read it anyways. At the very least it’ll pass the time.