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A review by katykelly
Tyger by S.F. Said
4.0
Fantasy, alternate-history and a bit of Life of Pi.
I couldn't place the time period of this children's novel, it could be a few hundred years ago at times, but it could be almost now, though we get a hint that this is closer to the mark when we learn that slavery was never abolished.
With that in mind, the lives of the children in Tyger are all the more poignant captured, with Adam and Zadie hiding their faces and the colour of their skin, lest they become the target for taunts or worse.
In London, Adam delivers for his parents' business, dreaming of being an artist but forbidden from such dreams. Accidentally meeting a strange animal, an unknown 'tyger' hiding in the city from hunters, the possibilities of the world are opened up to him. Until he finds that the wounded animal is wanted by Maldehyde. He knows he must protect his new mentor/friend, and neighbour Zadie, herself the daughter of immigrants becomes his co-conspirator and partner as they brave the dangers of the enemy, society's prejudice and their position in the world to help the Tyger.
A little too fantastical for me at times, I like dystopian worlds and alternate realities. The audiobook put me off a bit, with the voices of the characters, I didn't warm to them really. I've read Said before, and was interested in his new title, but it's not a genre I usually reach for.
I do however see its merits, the imagination, the adventure. A Scout Finch 'Mockingbird' scene older readers might recognise. There are lessons here to take away, and worlds to conjure.
For ages 9-13.
I couldn't place the time period of this children's novel, it could be a few hundred years ago at times, but it could be almost now, though we get a hint that this is closer to the mark when we learn that slavery was never abolished.
With that in mind, the lives of the children in Tyger are all the more poignant captured, with Adam and Zadie hiding their faces and the colour of their skin, lest they become the target for taunts or worse.
In London, Adam delivers for his parents' business, dreaming of being an artist but forbidden from such dreams. Accidentally meeting a strange animal, an unknown 'tyger' hiding in the city from hunters, the possibilities of the world are opened up to him. Until he finds that the wounded animal is wanted by Maldehyde. He knows he must protect his new mentor/friend, and neighbour Zadie, herself the daughter of immigrants becomes his co-conspirator and partner as they brave the dangers of the enemy, society's prejudice and their position in the world to help the Tyger.
A little too fantastical for me at times, I like dystopian worlds and alternate realities. The audiobook put me off a bit, with the voices of the characters, I didn't warm to them really. I've read Said before, and was interested in his new title, but it's not a genre I usually reach for.
I do however see its merits, the imagination, the adventure. A Scout Finch 'Mockingbird' scene older readers might recognise. There are lessons here to take away, and worlds to conjure.
For ages 9-13.