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A review by tanid
Darius & Twig by Walter Dean Myers
3.0
I was actually expecting to not enjoy this book - I won a copy when it was our book of the month at book club and was a bit worried that I would never read it because it 'isn't my thing'. That being said, this actually surprised me.
The story is told from the point of view of Darius, a talented writer who is trying hard but essentially has life getting in his way and on top of him. Through the novel we see events in their neighbourhood - fights, shootings, and the struggles of people trying to hold down jobs and apartments - and Darius' reflections on becoming a better person and how this world will always try to drag him and Twig back in.
Although there are, obviously, events throughout the course of the book, through Darius' perception what we see more of is reflection and his relationship with Twig, whose success as a runner is hope to him. Myers creates an exploration of the characters and their ideas, rather than placing them inside events that make us get to know them, so although a lot happens within this small book it doesn't seem to rush by too fast, and we also get more of a feel for this just being the characters life.
I can't really explain what I'm trying to say. But the way that this was written made it more interesting than if it had been two characters inserted into a series of events, instead of what it is - a series of events occurring through the course of two characters' lives.
The things that I found strange was that you can sense that this is a book that could be used in schools as you read it, which gave a strong sense of 'this should be teaching me something'. I'm not going to analyse what I thought it was saying, but just found it strange to be reading something and recognising that. I have clearly been reading too much YA fantasy!
The story is told from the point of view of Darius, a talented writer who is trying hard but essentially has life getting in his way and on top of him. Through the novel we see events in their neighbourhood - fights, shootings, and the struggles of people trying to hold down jobs and apartments - and Darius' reflections on becoming a better person and how this world will always try to drag him and Twig back in.
Although there are, obviously, events throughout the course of the book, through Darius' perception what we see more of is reflection and his relationship with Twig, whose success as a runner is hope to him. Myers creates an exploration of the characters and their ideas, rather than placing them inside events that make us get to know them, so although a lot happens within this small book it doesn't seem to rush by too fast, and we also get more of a feel for this just being the characters life.
I can't really explain what I'm trying to say. But the way that this was written made it more interesting than if it had been two characters inserted into a series of events, instead of what it is - a series of events occurring through the course of two characters' lives.
The things that I found strange was that you can sense that this is a book that could be used in schools as you read it, which gave a strong sense of 'this should be teaching me something'. I'm not going to analyse what I thought it was saying, but just found it strange to be reading something and recognising that. I have clearly been reading too much YA fantasy!