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cafe_con_cass 's review for:
Jellicoe Road
by Melina Marchetta
"It's funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that's why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It's not the pain they're getting over, it's the love."
4.5 (Rating only dropped from five because gosh darn it I spent the first hundred pages of this novel thinking "who are you people and why are there so many of you.")
Gah. Where to start with a book like this?
The first half is odd and so confusing. You understand the gist that there's a territory war going on between the residents of Jellicoe Road and they're split into three factions; the Townies, the Cadets, and the students of the Jellicoe School. Of course, enter our main cast, which is a mix of all three and you can see how this would be fun and entertaining. But this book doesn't stop there; there's also flashbacks to a group a generation before who suffered death through a huge car accident on Jellicoe Road. These flashbacks are vague in the beginning, but slowly gain clarity until the image is too heartbreaking and clear.
Both groups are riddled with traumas and sadness. The main character, Taylor, was left at a 7-11 at eleven years old. The generation before suffered the death of most of their families in a huge car accident. Every character in this novel has a purpose, problems, and a personality all their own. It's so hard to not give legions of spoilers right now, but I'll resist the temptation so that those who haven't read this can be encouraged to do so.
Marchetta's writing is unique to say the least. It's interesting, but oh so exiguous. By the end of the book, you still have no idea of eye colors, hair colors, and for some characters, you know absolutely nothing of how they look, just their typical facial expressions and maybe some body language.
This was both great and frustrating. I appreciate her different way of approaching description since I created the images of the characters in my own mind, and even if they look the opposite of how I'm picturing them, I would still know them just by their walk or the way they crinkle their nose. I don't know; maybe my mild OCD is why the whole no general description drove me bonkers. That's my only complaint, and that's not even a real problem since I don't actually mind as much now that I've finished it. :)
The final thing I wanted to praise was a parallel Marchetta hid in here. I loved that she did it, and adored how she presented it.
All I can say is read this book. Especially if you enjoy books taking place in private schools, small towns, or Australia. Or contemporary YA, modern classics, novels with a darker tone, or books that will keep you guessing. In the beginning it takes a while to orient yourself, but trust me; it's all worth it.
4.5 (Rating only dropped from five because gosh darn it I spent the first hundred pages of this novel thinking "who are you people and why are there so many of you.")
Gah. Where to start with a book like this?
The first half is odd and so confusing. You understand the gist that there's a territory war going on between the residents of Jellicoe Road and they're split into three factions; the Townies, the Cadets, and the students of the Jellicoe School. Of course, enter our main cast, which is a mix of all three and you can see how this would be fun and entertaining. But this book doesn't stop there; there's also flashbacks to a group a generation before who suffered death through a huge car accident on Jellicoe Road. These flashbacks are vague in the beginning, but slowly gain clarity until the image is too heartbreaking and clear.
Both groups are riddled with traumas and sadness. The main character, Taylor, was left at a 7-11 at eleven years old. The generation before suffered the death of most of their families in a huge car accident. Every character in this novel has a purpose, problems, and a personality all their own. It's so hard to not give legions of spoilers right now, but I'll resist the temptation so that those who haven't read this can be encouraged to do so.
Marchetta's writing is unique to say the least. It's interesting, but oh so exiguous. By the end of the book, you still have no idea of eye colors, hair colors, and for some characters, you know absolutely nothing of how they look, just their typical facial expressions and maybe some body language.
This was both great and frustrating. I appreciate her different way of approaching description since I created the images of the characters in my own mind, and even if they look the opposite of how I'm picturing them, I would still know them just by their walk or the way they crinkle their nose. I don't know; maybe my mild OCD is why the whole no general description drove me bonkers. That's my only complaint, and that's not even a real problem since I don't actually mind as much now that I've finished it. :)
The final thing I wanted to praise was a parallel Marchetta hid in here. I loved that she did it, and adored how she presented it.
Spoiler
(When Taylor saw Sam and thought about how she could have turned out the same way had her mother not "given" her to Hannah. I was so depressed I ate a whole bag of Haribo.)All I can say is read this book. Especially if you enjoy books taking place in private schools, small towns, or Australia. Or contemporary YA, modern classics, novels with a darker tone, or books that will keep you guessing. In the beginning it takes a while to orient yourself, but trust me; it's all worth it.