Goodnight Mister Tom
Michelle Magorian
Puffin
It soon became apparent at our first bookclub meeting that I was the only one who had not read Goodnight Mister Tom, so it was quickly decided that it should be our first bookclub book. I bought it the very next day and immediately fell in love with timid Willie Beech and the reclusive Tom Oakley.
On the brink of declaring war on Hitler's Germany, and in anticipation of the bombings, the British children are evacuated from the major cities into the countryside. The sleepy village is soon crowded with an influx of children from London. Amongst them is Willie Beech, shy, undernourished and afraid. It does not take long for Tom to discover that Willie has left behind a horrific family life and Tom finds himself in the position of not only tending to Willie's physical needs but also his emotional ones. Under Mister Tom's guardianship, Willie grows and blossoms, discovering talents that had been dwarfed by his upbringing. His ability to love and trust swells and together they rediscover love and enter a relationship rich and rewarding.
It is impossible not to love this book. At times Willie's suffering was so sad it was difficult to continue reading. I feel however the novel would have had a stronger finish had it ended soon after Tom goes to London in search of Willie and discovers the shocking truth of Willie's home life. The last couple of chapters were a tad unnecessary and in my opinion detracted from the climax of the book.
About Me
- Banafsheh Serov
- Australia
- I am passionate about the written language. I love writing, reading, reviewing, selling and promoting books. I am an independent bookseller with over 20 years of experience in the book trade. Together with my partners, I actively aim to improve our bookstore's range and services to better reflect the needs of our community and clientele. In 2008, my memoir 'Under A Starless Sky' was published by Hachette, Australia. Since then, I had a short story 'Jasmine Petals' published in 'Stories of Belonging' (Finch) and in 2013, released my first full-length novel, The Russian Tapestry, also by Hachette. I am currently writing my second novel. I strive daily to improve my skills and stretch the limits of my craft. My love of books has naturally lead to reviewing. You can follow me on Twitter @B_Serov, Facebook www.facebook.com/BanafshehSerov and Goodreads www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429016.Banafsheh_Serov
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Marcelo in the Real World - Francisco X Stork
Marcelo in the Real World
Francisco X Stork
Arthur A Levine Books
Marcelo Sandoval is different from other seventeen year old boys- he hears music in his head, has a perverse interest in religion, owns 100's of classical music CDs and sleeps in a tree house at his family home. When spoken to, Marcelo takes longer to process what is said before responding and when speaking about himself refers to himself in the third person. As a result he is often mistaken for being slow. In the private school he attends, Marcelo is classified as having a ''development disorder", an autism-like condition.
Marcelo's father never believed in his son's condition and feels Marcelo has been over protected. He wants him to join him in his law firm over the summer rather than look after the ponies at his school for kids with special needs as Marcelo had hoped. At his fathers law firm Marcelo meets Jasmine, beautiful and free spirited, as well as Wendell, the son of his father's partner.
At the law firm, Marcelo is thrust into an environment where desire, envy, cruelty and greed live along side kindness and compassion. He temporarily loses his inner music as he is forced to recognise and react to situations instantly rather than take his time to slowly analyse them. The complexities of daily human interactions confuse him but he eventually learns that not everything can be neatly separated into right or wrong - that there are grey areas where ones morals are challenged.
Marcelo in the real world is a moving, beautifully told coming of age story. As the story unfolds, I felt an urge to protect Marcelo from the "real" world he is forced to deal with. It was heart breaking to watch Marcelo recognise that the world is a difficult place, but at the same time, heart warming to see him discover that he can still find his sense of belonging and hence his inner music by staying true to himself.
Francisco X Stork
Arthur A Levine Books
Marcelo Sandoval is different from other seventeen year old boys- he hears music in his head, has a perverse interest in religion, owns 100's of classical music CDs and sleeps in a tree house at his family home. When spoken to, Marcelo takes longer to process what is said before responding and when speaking about himself refers to himself in the third person. As a result he is often mistaken for being slow. In the private school he attends, Marcelo is classified as having a ''development disorder", an autism-like condition.
Marcelo's father never believed in his son's condition and feels Marcelo has been over protected. He wants him to join him in his law firm over the summer rather than look after the ponies at his school for kids with special needs as Marcelo had hoped. At his fathers law firm Marcelo meets Jasmine, beautiful and free spirited, as well as Wendell, the son of his father's partner.
At the law firm, Marcelo is thrust into an environment where desire, envy, cruelty and greed live along side kindness and compassion. He temporarily loses his inner music as he is forced to recognise and react to situations instantly rather than take his time to slowly analyse them. The complexities of daily human interactions confuse him but he eventually learns that not everything can be neatly separated into right or wrong - that there are grey areas where ones morals are challenged.
Marcelo in the real world is a moving, beautifully told coming of age story. As the story unfolds, I felt an urge to protect Marcelo from the "real" world he is forced to deal with. It was heart breaking to watch Marcelo recognise that the world is a difficult place, but at the same time, heart warming to see him discover that he can still find his sense of belonging and hence his inner music by staying true to himself.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Butterfly - Sonya Hartnett
Butterfly
Sonya Hartnett
Penguin
I have always enjoyed coming of age stories; there is a purity of truth about them that I really find appealing. They conjure up old memories and forgotten insecurities that at the time I had felt were uniquely my own. Set in an Australian suburban neighborhood in the 70's Butterfly is one such story.
Plum Coyle is on the cusp of turning 14. She considers her approaching birthday as the start of a new beginning, a shedding of her old self. Until now her best friends have treated her as the least important member of their group. Plum feels tolerated rather than accepted by them. To protect herself she collects small objects - a fanta yoyo, an ABBA badge, a glass lamb, an old penny - and hides them in a small chest under her bed. She pulls them out when she needs them, holding them in her hand like a talisman, using their hidden powers to give her strength.
Plum lives with her parents and her two older brothers - Justin and Cyder - whom she adores. Across from her lives her sophisticated neighbour Maureen with her young son David and her often absent husband. Maureen is everything Plum wishes she could be and when Maureen befriends her, Plum thinks she has found the mentor who will propel her into a new life of popularity.
In Butterfly, Hartnett has not pulled any punches, tackling head on the sensitive subjects of deceit, turbulent teenage years - with its insecurities and uncertainties- and the regret of past choices with delicacy and razor sharp insight.
This is my second book of Sonya Hartnett, the first being The Silver Donkey. It took a little while for me to get into Butterfly but by the end, my patience was rewarded. Its great to come across authors such as Hartnett who are not afraid to tackle a diverse range of topics. It is even better when these talented story tellers are Australian!
Sonya Hartnett
Penguin
I have always enjoyed coming of age stories; there is a purity of truth about them that I really find appealing. They conjure up old memories and forgotten insecurities that at the time I had felt were uniquely my own. Set in an Australian suburban neighborhood in the 70's Butterfly is one such story.
Plum Coyle is on the cusp of turning 14. She considers her approaching birthday as the start of a new beginning, a shedding of her old self. Until now her best friends have treated her as the least important member of their group. Plum feels tolerated rather than accepted by them. To protect herself she collects small objects - a fanta yoyo, an ABBA badge, a glass lamb, an old penny - and hides them in a small chest under her bed. She pulls them out when she needs them, holding them in her hand like a talisman, using their hidden powers to give her strength.
Plum lives with her parents and her two older brothers - Justin and Cyder - whom she adores. Across from her lives her sophisticated neighbour Maureen with her young son David and her often absent husband. Maureen is everything Plum wishes she could be and when Maureen befriends her, Plum thinks she has found the mentor who will propel her into a new life of popularity.
In Butterfly, Hartnett has not pulled any punches, tackling head on the sensitive subjects of deceit, turbulent teenage years - with its insecurities and uncertainties- and the regret of past choices with delicacy and razor sharp insight.
This is my second book of Sonya Hartnett, the first being The Silver Donkey. It took a little while for me to get into Butterfly but by the end, my patience was rewarded. Its great to come across authors such as Hartnett who are not afraid to tackle a diverse range of topics. It is even better when these talented story tellers are Australian!
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