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A review by quasinaut
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I knew nothing about this book going in except that something sad happens towards the end. I loved the writing, the way Katherine Paterson captured Jess's emotions and inner self -- but I wasn't pulled in by the story as much as I had hoped to be.
Perhaps I'd have liked it more had I read it when I was younger, but I can't quite pinpoint what didn't work for me. There are especially some aspects -- the portrayal of Jesse's sisters as frivolous and spoiled; the lack of description of Terabithia as an imaginary escape; the casual mentions of child abuse and homophobia -- that either didn't hold up or made the book feel less than fully realized. Though, I was pleasantly surprised at Jesse's father in the final chapters of the book!
Perhaps I'd have liked it more had I read it when I was younger, but I can't quite pinpoint what didn't work for me. There are especially some aspects -- the portrayal of Jesse's sisters as frivolous and spoiled; the lack of description of Terabithia as an imaginary escape; the casual mentions of child abuse and homophobia -- that either didn't hold up or made the book feel less than fully realized. Though, I was pleasantly surprised at Jesse's father in the final chapters of the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Homophobia