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A review by katykelly
The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day by Christopher Edge
5.0
Clever logic-bending maths-heavy children's sci-fi... you don't say that very often!
I didn't know what I was in for, and even for much of this, I still didn't appreciate the astuteness of this. This really is a very intelligent science/maths story for children, and one bright children will relish.
Those who aren't keen on maths may lose interest early on, but if it hits a nerve, they are in for a cerebral treat with Maisie, the birthday girl in for a rough day...
Maisie is a very uncommon girl, adroit at mathematics and building a nuclear reactor, she is hoping for parts as birthday gifts. In one plotline, we follow the progress of her day. In another, Maisie wakes up also on her birthday, but is alone in her house and outside of it is literally nothing... blackness.
I was puzzled, intrigued. And not at all disappointed as the plotlines continued towards a great ending. The science/maths of the book is not overly tricky but even if a reader didn't follow it, the main ideas are within reach.
The narrator is a mature female actor, but the voice sounded spot on for a pre-adolescent girl, she was well-suited to the character of Maisie. The only time the audiobook grated on me was in the 'nowhere' storyline as Maisie panics and the shrillness of the voice was a little annoying.
It's very short (only 3 hours to listen to) but like nothing I've read before, and certainly unique amongst children's books. There is juvenile fiction with similar protagonists but not a story like this one. I'll look forward to listening to it with my son (aged 7) when he's older.
I would say ages 9-14 are the ideal age range for this.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
I didn't know what I was in for, and even for much of this, I still didn't appreciate the astuteness of this. This really is a very intelligent science/maths story for children, and one bright children will relish.
Those who aren't keen on maths may lose interest early on, but if it hits a nerve, they are in for a cerebral treat with Maisie, the birthday girl in for a rough day...
Maisie is a very uncommon girl, adroit at mathematics and building a nuclear reactor, she is hoping for parts as birthday gifts. In one plotline, we follow the progress of her day. In another, Maisie wakes up also on her birthday, but is alone in her house and outside of it is literally nothing... blackness.
I was puzzled, intrigued. And not at all disappointed as the plotlines continued towards a great ending. The science/maths of the book is not overly tricky but even if a reader didn't follow it, the main ideas are within reach.
The narrator is a mature female actor, but the voice sounded spot on for a pre-adolescent girl, she was well-suited to the character of Maisie. The only time the audiobook grated on me was in the 'nowhere' storyline as Maisie panics and the shrillness of the voice was a little annoying.
It's very short (only 3 hours to listen to) but like nothing I've read before, and certainly unique amongst children's books. There is juvenile fiction with similar protagonists but not a story like this one. I'll look forward to listening to it with my son (aged 7) when he's older.
I would say ages 9-14 are the ideal age range for this.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.