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A review by koiketto
The Riverman by Aaron Starmer
2.0
**2.5 Stars**
Um...this book was certainly...something. I'm...not 100% sure what to make of it. Sure, all the messages were interesting (lost childhood, not fitting in, storytelling, etc) but also there were some problems with this book. Huge, gigantic, glaring problems in the storytelling and the characters and the execution and just. Mm. It was a cool but oftentimes frustrating read.
First of all, the writing. The writing actually wasn't all that bad; the descriptions were nice and creepy and went along well with the theme of the story. But at the same time it also seemed a bit amateurish? Like the writer was just throwing in themes and symbolism here and there for no rhyme or reason in places where it felt like it didn't really need to be there, or if it did it just felt awkward in its execution.
Also the characters; particularly, that of Fiona and Charlie. I liked them both at first. I thought Fiona was cool and creepy and interesting and had so much depth, and Charlie was your typical kid that no one wants around but still tries to be positive. But the way the story handled both of them was just...so frustrating. The thing that frustrated me with Fiona most of all was that the author aged her up to twenty-something mentally?? Like I don't know, but I was enjoying the story of two children and aging one of them up just bothered me so much. That might be more of a personal thing than anything, but it just grated on my nerves. Also Charlie being the Riverman was a bit odd, but it didn't bother me nearly as much as the Fiona thing.
Also, the story and plot itself was so, so incredibly idealistic. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes stories are so imaginative and quixotic that it just creates this charming kind of legend or myth, but this one just. Did not do that. It's like it was idealistic to a point where it sacrificed the actual plot. The plot was all over the place and things felt like they were just kind of thrown around without making much sense, which proved to be a bit of a frustrating read. I like stories that are cool and mythic, but I also like to actually know what was happening solidly and stick to the characters. Three stars. It was fine, but just so many things about it frustrated me insanely.
Um...this book was certainly...something. I'm...not 100% sure what to make of it. Sure, all the messages were interesting (lost childhood, not fitting in, storytelling, etc) but also there were some problems with this book. Huge, gigantic, glaring problems in the storytelling and the characters and the execution and just. Mm. It was a cool but oftentimes frustrating read.
First of all, the writing. The writing actually wasn't all that bad; the descriptions were nice and creepy and went along well with the theme of the story. But at the same time it also seemed a bit amateurish? Like the writer was just throwing in themes and symbolism here and there for no rhyme or reason in places where it felt like it didn't really need to be there, or if it did it just felt awkward in its execution.
Also the characters; particularly, that of Fiona and Charlie. I liked them both at first. I thought Fiona was cool and creepy and interesting and had so much depth, and Charlie was your typical kid that no one wants around but still tries to be positive. But the way the story handled both of them was just...so frustrating. The thing that frustrated me with Fiona most of all was that the author aged her up to twenty-something mentally?? Like I don't know, but I was enjoying the story of two children and aging one of them up just bothered me so much. That might be more of a personal thing than anything, but it just grated on my nerves. Also Charlie being the Riverman was a bit odd, but it didn't bother me nearly as much as the Fiona thing.
Also, the story and plot itself was so, so incredibly idealistic. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes stories are so imaginative and quixotic that it just creates this charming kind of legend or myth, but this one just. Did not do that. It's like it was idealistic to a point where it sacrificed the actual plot. The plot was all over the place and things felt like they were just kind of thrown around without making much sense, which proved to be a bit of a frustrating read. I like stories that are cool and mythic, but I also like to actually know what was happening solidly and stick to the characters. Three stars. It was fine, but just so many things about it frustrated me insanely.