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A review by couillac
The Riverman by Aaron Starmer
2.0
This is an undeniably thought-provoking book, but I'm not as bowled over by it as so many other reviewers have been. It tries to walk a challenging line between children's and teen, and I'm not sure it manages to find its audience.
I am impressed with the themes of stories, truth and lies, friendship and loyalty, and secrets, and I think Starmer is skilled at teasing out the complexity and darker questions that lie behind these topics. At the same time, I struggled with the momentum and pacing, wanting more of Fiona and her story and never quite knowing where Alistair stood. He seemed to vacillate so widely in his perspectives on Fiona, Charlie, Kyle and others, and often would change his mind for no apparent reason. Subplots like Halloween and the trip to Gina's and Kyle confronting Dorian didn't feel like they came organically from the story and never developed into much. Aquavania and its rules and even the threat of the Riverman all felt too vague and intangible for me to totally buy into. And the ending, while appropriately vague for this kind of story, felt too unresolved.
That said, I think the right kind of tween could really enjoy this book, and I appreciate the author's trust in his readers to fill in many of the gaps themselves and to think seriously about some intriguing and dark subjects. Still, I think a trimmer plot with more of a build would have been more effective.
I look forward to possibly discussing this with my Mock Newbery book club. Perhaps they'll change my mind about some things. It's certainly very unique.
I am impressed with the themes of stories, truth and lies, friendship and loyalty, and secrets, and I think Starmer is skilled at teasing out the complexity and darker questions that lie behind these topics. At the same time, I struggled with the momentum and pacing, wanting more of Fiona and her story and never quite knowing where Alistair stood. He seemed to vacillate so widely in his perspectives on Fiona, Charlie, Kyle and others, and often would change his mind for no apparent reason. Subplots like Halloween and the trip to Gina's and Kyle confronting Dorian didn't feel like they came organically from the story and never developed into much. Aquavania and its rules and even the threat of the Riverman all felt too vague and intangible for me to totally buy into. And the ending, while appropriately vague for this kind of story, felt too unresolved.
That said, I think the right kind of tween could really enjoy this book, and I appreciate the author's trust in his readers to fill in many of the gaps themselves and to think seriously about some intriguing and dark subjects. Still, I think a trimmer plot with more of a build would have been more effective.
I look forward to possibly discussing this with my Mock Newbery book club. Perhaps they'll change my mind about some things. It's certainly very unique.