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sundancer_srb 's review for:
The Palace at the End of the Sea
by Simon Tolkien
DID NOT FINISH: 41%
I read all of part 1 and couldn't go any further. I was so surprised that I picked such a disapointing book, that I reread the description again to try and see what went wrong. It's completely different then the synopsis. Yes, it starts just before the great depression but it goes on and on about the main characters life and his parents. It's very religious and there is exhaustive backstory about both of the parents religions and what they think about it and how it affects their lives.
When I read a historical fiction I want to be taught about history. I'm educated, but I don't particularly know anything about the great depression and I learned nothing new.
It is full of boring played out stereotypes; the bullies are dumb football players, his mom is super emotional, his dad is strict and scary, his parents embarrass him etc... I think I've seen this before and I didn't even like it the first time. And I'm sorry but his first experience of true happiness is being on a sports team? I think I'm going to throw up.
Don't even get me started about the entire dialog sounding his mother! She's always crying and emotional? And he resents her for it? She is a very poorly written character. Near the end of part 1 the author does reel themselves in a little bit and try to make it better but the damage had already been done.
Maybe part 2 would redeem the book as the characters are taken out of their bad situation but I don't have any interest in finding out.
When I read a historical fiction I want to be taught about history. I'm educated, but I don't particularly know anything about the great depression and I learned nothing new.
It is full of boring played out stereotypes; the bullies are dumb football players, his mom is super emotional, his dad is strict and scary, his parents embarrass him etc... I think I've seen this before and I didn't even like it the first time. And I'm sorry but his first experience of true happiness is being on a sports team? I think I'm going to throw up.
Don't even get me started about the entire dialog sounding his mother! She's always crying and emotional? And he resents her for it? She is a very poorly written character. Near the end of part 1 the author does reel themselves in a little bit and try to make it better but the damage had already been done.
Maybe part 2 would redeem the book as the characters are taken out of their bad situation but I don't have any interest in finding out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, War