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samuelson_obi 's review for:
The List
by Patricia Forde
“We can think because we have words, without them we won’t have memory to look at the past, or imagination to glimpse into the future.
Without words, we will be imprisoned in the here and now forever.”
― Patricia Forde, The List
Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where people are only allowed to use a list of 500 words in their day to day speech.
And this is how I was drawn to Patricia Ford’s Young Adult novel, ‘The list’.
Yes, I know, more YA, tis the season I suppose.
In ‘The List’ we are introduced to a number of interesting characters. But the main focus is on Letta, the apprentice wordsmith in the city of Ark.
After the death of her master she is promoted to the position of wordsmith, but with that promotion she gains the attention of the city’s near mad, self-righteous tyrant, John Noa.
Coupled with that, Letta finds herself somehow connected to a resistance group, that could prove perilous.
I found this novel quite different from my usual reads, but I suppose that’s what I say all the time, the idea of words as dangerous, their acceptable use controlled by a list given to the people by the government, was fascinating. It brought to mind political correctness, though in this novel the author took this concept to the fifth power.
Letta as a main character was very likable, flawed, brave, resourceful and most importantly with her own agency. She made things happen.
I could feel her changing as a person with every minute that passed. Her thoughts about the resistance group and what they stood for, her willingness to keep the status quo pitted against her love of words and her willingness to discover and save more of their culture.
Another point of view the author decided to show us was of the main villain of the story, through brief passages we were lead through his twisted mind and sense of logical conclusion. I found this very affective and somewhat disturbing. It also created some sympathy, or is empathy the right word here, with the antagonist. Characters and their motivations are a big thing; and I think those shone in the actions and the consequences of those actions.
There was a sense of urgency present throughout, that brought to mind Athens during the Nazi occupation.
The strict rationing of water, food, the curfew and of course the resistance group trying to undermine and save the city whilst hated by most of its citizens.
The author wove a vivid description of Ark and its surroundings. Yes, the story took place pretty much within the city or around it, but I did not feel bored or claustrophobic in any way. The characters and the plot were more than enough to keep my attention riveted.
I really enjoyed Imogen Wilde’s narration, she added that extra bit of atmosphere, emotion, and depth to the characters, by the change of her voice and accent. This was a 3 stars for me.[a:Patricia Forde|1532390|Patricia Forde|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1500660057p2/1532390.jpg][b:The List|35805279|The List|Patricia Forde|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|45213812]
Merged review:
“We can think because we have words, without them we won’t have memory to look at the past, or imagination to glimpse into the future.
Without words, we will be imprisoned in the here and now forever.”
― Patricia Forde, The List
Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where people are only allowed to use a list of 500 words in their day to day speech.
And this is how I was drawn to Patricia Ford’s Young Adult novel, ‘The list’.
Yes, I know, more YA, tis the season I suppose.
In ‘The List’ we are introduced to a number of interesting characters. But the main focus is on Letta, the apprentice wordsmith in the city of Ark.
After the death of her master she is promoted to the position of wordsmith, but with that promotion she gains the attention of the city’s near mad, self-righteous tyrant, John Noa.
Coupled with that, Letta finds herself somehow connected to a resistance group, that could prove perilous.
I found this novel quite different from my usual reads, but I suppose that’s what I say all the time, the idea of words as dangerous, their acceptable use controlled by a list given to the people by the government, was fascinating. It brought to mind political correctness, though in this novel the author took this concept to the fifth power.
Letta as a main character was very likable, flawed, brave, resourceful and most importantly with her own agency. She made things happen.
I could feel her changing as a person with every minute that passed. Her thoughts about the resistance group and what they stood for, her willingness to keep the status quo pitted against her love of words and her willingness to discover and save more of their culture.
Another point of view the author decided to show us was of the main villain of the story, through brief passages we were lead through his twisted mind and sense of logical conclusion. I found this very affective and somewhat disturbing. It also created some sympathy, or is empathy the right word here, with the antagonist. Characters and their motivations are a big thing; and I think those shone in the actions and the consequences of those actions.
There was a sense of urgency present throughout, that brought to mind Athens during the Nazi occupation.
The strict rationing of water, food, the curfew and of course the resistance group trying to undermine and save the city whilst hated by most of its citizens.
The author wove a vivid description of Ark and its surroundings. Yes, the story took place pretty much within the city or around it, but I did not feel bored or claustrophobic in any way. The characters and the plot were more than enough to keep my attention riveted.
I really enjoyed Imogen Wilde’s narration, she added that extra bit of atmosphere, emotion, and depth to the characters, by the change of her voice and accent. This was a 3 stars for me.[a:Patricia Forde|1532390|Patricia Forde|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1500660057p2/1532390.jpg][b:The List|35805279|The List|Patricia Forde|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|45213812]
Without words, we will be imprisoned in the here and now forever.”
― Patricia Forde, The List
Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where people are only allowed to use a list of 500 words in their day to day speech.
And this is how I was drawn to Patricia Ford’s Young Adult novel, ‘The list’.
Yes, I know, more YA, tis the season I suppose.
In ‘The List’ we are introduced to a number of interesting characters. But the main focus is on Letta, the apprentice wordsmith in the city of Ark.
After the death of her master she is promoted to the position of wordsmith, but with that promotion she gains the attention of the city’s near mad, self-righteous tyrant, John Noa.
Coupled with that, Letta finds herself somehow connected to a resistance group, that could prove perilous.
I found this novel quite different from my usual reads, but I suppose that’s what I say all the time, the idea of words as dangerous, their acceptable use controlled by a list given to the people by the government, was fascinating. It brought to mind political correctness, though in this novel the author took this concept to the fifth power.
Letta as a main character was very likable, flawed, brave, resourceful and most importantly with her own agency. She made things happen.
I could feel her changing as a person with every minute that passed. Her thoughts about the resistance group and what they stood for, her willingness to keep the status quo pitted against her love of words and her willingness to discover and save more of their culture.
Another point of view the author decided to show us was of the main villain of the story, through brief passages we were lead through his twisted mind and sense of logical conclusion. I found this very affective and somewhat disturbing. It also created some sympathy, or is empathy the right word here, with the antagonist. Characters and their motivations are a big thing; and I think those shone in the actions and the consequences of those actions.
There was a sense of urgency present throughout, that brought to mind Athens during the Nazi occupation.
The strict rationing of water, food, the curfew and of course the resistance group trying to undermine and save the city whilst hated by most of its citizens.
The author wove a vivid description of Ark and its surroundings. Yes, the story took place pretty much within the city or around it, but I did not feel bored or claustrophobic in any way. The characters and the plot were more than enough to keep my attention riveted.
I really enjoyed Imogen Wilde’s narration, she added that extra bit of atmosphere, emotion, and depth to the characters, by the change of her voice and accent. This was a 3 stars for me.[a:Patricia Forde|1532390|Patricia Forde|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1500660057p2/1532390.jpg][b:The List|35805279|The List|Patricia Forde|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|45213812]
Merged review:
“We can think because we have words, without them we won’t have memory to look at the past, or imagination to glimpse into the future.
Without words, we will be imprisoned in the here and now forever.”
― Patricia Forde, The List
Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where people are only allowed to use a list of 500 words in their day to day speech.
And this is how I was drawn to Patricia Ford’s Young Adult novel, ‘The list’.
Yes, I know, more YA, tis the season I suppose.
In ‘The List’ we are introduced to a number of interesting characters. But the main focus is on Letta, the apprentice wordsmith in the city of Ark.
After the death of her master she is promoted to the position of wordsmith, but with that promotion she gains the attention of the city’s near mad, self-righteous tyrant, John Noa.
Coupled with that, Letta finds herself somehow connected to a resistance group, that could prove perilous.
I found this novel quite different from my usual reads, but I suppose that’s what I say all the time, the idea of words as dangerous, their acceptable use controlled by a list given to the people by the government, was fascinating. It brought to mind political correctness, though in this novel the author took this concept to the fifth power.
Letta as a main character was very likable, flawed, brave, resourceful and most importantly with her own agency. She made things happen.
I could feel her changing as a person with every minute that passed. Her thoughts about the resistance group and what they stood for, her willingness to keep the status quo pitted against her love of words and her willingness to discover and save more of their culture.
Another point of view the author decided to show us was of the main villain of the story, through brief passages we were lead through his twisted mind and sense of logical conclusion. I found this very affective and somewhat disturbing. It also created some sympathy, or is empathy the right word here, with the antagonist. Characters and their motivations are a big thing; and I think those shone in the actions and the consequences of those actions.
There was a sense of urgency present throughout, that brought to mind Athens during the Nazi occupation.
The strict rationing of water, food, the curfew and of course the resistance group trying to undermine and save the city whilst hated by most of its citizens.
The author wove a vivid description of Ark and its surroundings. Yes, the story took place pretty much within the city or around it, but I did not feel bored or claustrophobic in any way. The characters and the plot were more than enough to keep my attention riveted.
I really enjoyed Imogen Wilde’s narration, she added that extra bit of atmosphere, emotion, and depth to the characters, by the change of her voice and accent. This was a 3 stars for me.[a:Patricia Forde|1532390|Patricia Forde|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1500660057p2/1532390.jpg][b:The List|35805279|The List|Patricia Forde|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|45213812]