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A review by libraryofescape
Infinite Sky by C.J. Flood
3.0
Being a country girl born and bred, I found some aspects of this book a little irritating although it does have its charms.
Fitting snugly into the 'whimsical country life turns tragic' genre, this book is a solid debut novel.
At times, I felt as though I was reading something which I had read before. The female central character - Iris - is typical of this type of book: she is strong willed but naive; her family looks good on paper but in reality is as messed up as any inner city kids; she is a tomboy who doesn't fit in with the ordinary girls.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad read. I'm just getting rather tired of the repetitive nature of some of these stories. My upbringing was in a similar type of community to the one in which Iris is raised. Me and my siblings also grew up with cornfields, farmland and travelers on adjacent land - there was no murder, divorce, crazy parents etc in my life.
I was charmed by the tragedy and tenderness of the sibling relationship, particularly in the touching conclusion of this book although I did feel strongly that Iris was a very unrealistic 13 year old. I am a teacher - 13/14 year old girls do not think the way that Iris thinks. Her emotions, considered opinions and mature personality are well beyond her years and at time it did irritate me. I feel as though perhaps the author should have challenged herself and read an adult book.
Overall, I thought this book was touching if a little emotionally manipulative. Read it if you aren't already saturated with 'whimsical country life turns tragic' books!
Fitting snugly into the 'whimsical country life turns tragic' genre, this book is a solid debut novel.
At times, I felt as though I was reading something which I had read before. The female central character - Iris - is typical of this type of book: she is strong willed but naive; her family looks good on paper but in reality is as messed up as any inner city kids; she is a tomboy who doesn't fit in with the ordinary girls.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad read. I'm just getting rather tired of the repetitive nature of some of these stories. My upbringing was in a similar type of community to the one in which Iris is raised. Me and my siblings also grew up with cornfields, farmland and travelers on adjacent land - there was no murder, divorce, crazy parents etc in my life.
I was charmed by the tragedy and tenderness of the sibling relationship, particularly in the touching conclusion of this book although I did feel strongly that Iris was a very unrealistic 13 year old. I am a teacher - 13/14 year old girls do not think the way that Iris thinks. Her emotions, considered opinions and mature personality are well beyond her years and at time it did irritate me. I feel as though perhaps the author should have challenged herself and read an adult book.
Overall, I thought this book was touching if a little emotionally manipulative. Read it if you aren't already saturated with 'whimsical country life turns tragic' books!