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A review by katykelly
What Milo Saw by Virginia Macgregor
3.0
3.5 stars
I'm in two minds about this book. It reminded me of Wonder (R. J. Palacio) but is marketed (somewhat inexplicably in my opinion) at an adult market. Wonder takes the multiple narrator approach to a boy with physical deformities starting school for the first time. What Milo Saw has Milo Moon at its centre. A nine year old boy with pinhole vision that will eventually disappear altogether.
You would expect this vision to be central to the story. But I don't think it is. There are a few scenes that focus on Milo's sight and his situation, but in reality I thought the main stories could have been written about any nine year old boy and his family. The stories around Milo are featured much more strongly.
The two story arcs to Milo's family feature his mother and his great-grandmother. After an 'accidental' house fire, his great-grandma is soon put into a home, Forget Me Not Homes. Milo's dad has left them all for another woman, and his mother now sole breadwinner. Her own sadness and love life is the second part of the book. Milo observes both and tries his best to help both women.
Milo sees problems in the care home - can he get anyone to believe him and save his beloved great-grandma? And can he help stop his mother comfort-eating?
Each of these three shares the narration and it's a well-told and enjoyable story, with people to root for. To loathe. To admire. I particularly disliked Milo's dad before we met him - he buys a pet pig for the son he's going to leave? Leaves his own grandma with the wife he's about to leave? Really? What a situation to leave them in!
Milo; I tried to suspend my disbelief at his precocious language and understanding, to enjoy the book. His condition is sad and I really didn't feel enough was made of it.
Could easily be read by an audience similar to Wonder's, not just adults. Despite the flaws as I see them, I really liked the book. I just think it could have been better and made more of its unique points.
I'm in two minds about this book. It reminded me of Wonder (R. J. Palacio) but is marketed (somewhat inexplicably in my opinion) at an adult market. Wonder takes the multiple narrator approach to a boy with physical deformities starting school for the first time. What Milo Saw has Milo Moon at its centre. A nine year old boy with pinhole vision that will eventually disappear altogether.
You would expect this vision to be central to the story. But I don't think it is. There are a few scenes that focus on Milo's sight and his situation, but in reality I thought the main stories could have been written about any nine year old boy and his family. The stories around Milo are featured much more strongly.
The two story arcs to Milo's family feature his mother and his great-grandmother. After an 'accidental' house fire, his great-grandma is soon put into a home, Forget Me Not Homes. Milo's dad has left them all for another woman, and his mother now sole breadwinner. Her own sadness and love life is the second part of the book. Milo observes both and tries his best to help both women.
Milo sees problems in the care home - can he get anyone to believe him and save his beloved great-grandma? And can he help stop his mother comfort-eating?
Each of these three shares the narration and it's a well-told and enjoyable story, with people to root for. To loathe. To admire. I particularly disliked Milo's dad before we met him - he buys a pet pig for the son he's going to leave? Leaves his own grandma with the wife he's about to leave? Really? What a situation to leave them in!
Milo; I tried to suspend my disbelief at his precocious language and understanding, to enjoy the book. His condition is sad and I really didn't feel enough was made of it.
Could easily be read by an audience similar to Wonder's, not just adults. Despite the flaws as I see them, I really liked the book. I just think it could have been better and made more of its unique points.