I was wondering why this is considered a Young Adult book, While the stlye of writing is on a YA reading level, I think the whole horrific concept of the game would be a little much for Young Adults. Your question about the characters changing was interesting, Catherine. I think that they didn't change so much as develop into more of what their original personalities had been.
It didn't matter whether they were trained (as the Careers were) to thinking as they did, or whether these were their innate characteristics, as the action intensified, so did their characteristics.
Monday, June 7, 2010
It May be Forever
Hi All,
I'm late getting my book choice to you because I'm such a slow reader and hadn't finished Safari yet.
The book I've selected for June is It May Be Forever by David M. Quinn. (Review below)
not that we always agree with them, but it seems interesting and I read a few pages online to have a glimpse at the author's style.
I hope we enjoy it.
Chris Laws
Let it be said first that It May Be Forever: An Irish Rebel on the American Frontier is an excellent, very enjoyable book which would win the highest rating if we did that kind of thing at SPR. The problem is that is resists classification. Is it a history, a non-fiction novel, a biography, or historical fiction? It works best as the latter, but one does not normally find photographs and other illustrations in such text, nor a bibliography.
The protagonist is Michael Quinn grew up hard in Ireland and England, immigrated to America, was drawn into the Fenian movement, later took part in the abortive post-Civil War Fenian invasion of Canada, and took his parole as a prisoner not back home to the girl he loved, but out West to seek his fortune. He entered the overland freight business at the lowest level, as a bullwhacker, organized his own company, and prospered, but his girl, to no one’s surprise but his, did not wait for him and married his brother instead. He did not take this well, and never returned home, losing all contact with his family and leading a lonely life that made him rich but ultimately unsatisfied .
It is a fascinating tale and the depth of the author’s research is evident, although he avoids the rookie trap of becoming hostage to it and boring the reader. The writing is first rate. I am not sure that the photographs and other documentation are really needed, but that may simply reflect my personal tastes. I like to read without interruption and I found them distracting rather than a value enhancement. In terms of the story itself, the blow-by-blow account of Quinn’s childhood could have been compressed or perhaps even eliminated entirely without any real violence to the main story, but what’s done is done.
Anyone who enjoys a good read will enjoy this book.
I'm late getting my book choice to you because I'm such a slow reader and hadn't finished Safari yet.
The book I've selected for June is It May Be Forever by David M. Quinn. (Review below)
not that we always agree with them, but it seems interesting and I read a few pages online to have a glimpse at the author's style.
I hope we enjoy it.
Chris Laws
Let it be said first that It May Be Forever: An Irish Rebel on the American Frontier is an excellent, very enjoyable book which would win the highest rating if we did that kind of thing at SPR. The problem is that is resists classification. Is it a history, a non-fiction novel, a biography, or historical fiction? It works best as the latter, but one does not normally find photographs and other illustrations in such text, nor a bibliography.
The protagonist is Michael Quinn grew up hard in Ireland and England, immigrated to America, was drawn into the Fenian movement, later took part in the abortive post-Civil War Fenian invasion of Canada, and took his parole as a prisoner not back home to the girl he loved, but out West to seek his fortune. He entered the overland freight business at the lowest level, as a bullwhacker, organized his own company, and prospered, but his girl, to no one’s surprise but his, did not wait for him and married his brother instead. He did not take this well, and never returned home, losing all contact with his family and leading a lonely life that made him rich but ultimately unsatisfied .
It is a fascinating tale and the depth of the author’s research is evident, although he avoids the rookie trap of becoming hostage to it and boring the reader. The writing is first rate. I am not sure that the photographs and other documentation are really needed, but that may simply reflect my personal tastes. I like to read without interruption and I found them distracting rather than a value enhancement. In terms of the story itself, the blow-by-blow account of Quinn’s childhood could have been compressed or perhaps even eliminated entirely without any real violence to the main story, but what’s done is done.
Anyone who enjoys a good read will enjoy this book.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Romance overdone?
So, I really liked the story. I thought it was very creative, and a page turner. The cruelty of the whole society was very chilling and effectively drawn. However, I thought the romance thing was a bit overdone. I see the role it played in the story, but the kissing and sappy comments got a little bit much. Anyone else?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Hunger Games
Hunger Games is the first book of a trilogy. The second is called "Catching Fire" and the third, "Mockingjay" is due out the end of the summer.
Could Hunger Games have just been one book and ended as it did? Did there need to be a series? Now that you know there are other books, how is the story going to continue? How would you LIKE it to continue?
Could Hunger Games have just been one book and ended as it did? Did there need to be a series? Now that you know there are other books, how is the story going to continue? How would you LIKE it to continue?
Hunger Games
Cinna, Haymitch, Effie, Ceasar Flickerman -- They all seem to have "good sides" but are all still heavily involved in this horrible tradition of the Hunger Games. Are they just complacent participants, involved because they have to be or are they supportive of The Games?
Hunger Games
Do you think that current events could have shaped the idea for and story of the book? Do you think this could ever happen to the America we know? Were there any positive features of the "New" Panem (America) that could benefit our society today?
Hunger Games
This book is written as a young adult (YA) novel. Do you think this is appropriate for young readers -- why or why not? Did the subject matter read differently/weigh heavier/easier read for you because of where you are in your adult life?
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