robdabear's review against another edition
5.0
Another Mitchell novel that choked me up beyond my own understanding. This, I think, is a Bildungsroman I will most certainly not forget.
lilusbilus's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ivo3185's review against another edition
2.0
Whoever wrote this book wasn't David Mitchell.
It was a difficult read. Not technically difficult – that feat belongs to Cloud Atlas –, but in the sense that nothing happens throughout the whole book.
If you ask me what the book is about: it's about a boy growing up. It's not about a boy who's undergoing an adventure while growing up, it's just about a boy growing up.
Any philosophy and interpretation is superficial at best. The main character is well written, considering his age. It's what David Mitchell does best: he can morph into anyone he chooses. But the story lacked any sort of excitement, any sort of climax, or even any philosophy that I feel will ever be memorable to me or change my life in any way, which is what reading is all about.
However, one bad apple doesn't ruin the entire batch, so I will keep reading through Mitchell's universe chronologically. Though this book didn't resonate with me in any way, shape or form, you still can't deny that this man is a true contemporary genius.
(It was nice to see another side of Eva van Outryve de Crommelynck from Letters from Zedelghem)
It was a difficult read. Not technically difficult – that feat belongs to Cloud Atlas –, but in the sense that nothing happens throughout the whole book.
If you ask me what the book is about: it's about a boy growing up. It's not about a boy who's undergoing an adventure while growing up, it's just about a boy growing up.
Any philosophy and interpretation is superficial at best. The main character is well written, considering his age. It's what David Mitchell does best: he can morph into anyone he chooses. But the story lacked any sort of excitement, any sort of climax, or even any philosophy that I feel will ever be memorable to me or change my life in any way, which is what reading is all about.
However, one bad apple doesn't ruin the entire batch, so I will keep reading through Mitchell's universe chronologically. Though this book didn't resonate with me in any way, shape or form, you still can't deny that this man is a true contemporary genius.
(It was nice to see another side of Eva van Outryve de Crommelynck from Letters from Zedelghem)
jenn_stark's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. coming of age's aren't typically my favourite, so for the genre i really liked it. still felt very david mitchell-ian :)
earlyandalone's review against another edition
4.0
As usual, David Mitchell's way of handling language makes this book stand out. On the surface, it's the story of a 13 year-old boy in rural England in 1982, dealing with all of the standard crap of being an adolescent, but also a speech problem, fighting parents, and trying to figure out how to be a poet without being found out by the neighborhood bullies.
But it's the stylistic ins and outs that kept me reading, though the narrator is immensely likable. Some say this is the most "accessible" Mitchell book--I don't know that I agree. Ten Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is still my favorite, and I think I perhaps enjoyed Cloud Atlas more than this one as well, but I'm still glad I read it.
But it's the stylistic ins and outs that kept me reading, though the narrator is immensely likable. Some say this is the most "accessible" Mitchell book--I don't know that I agree. Ten Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is still my favorite, and I think I perhaps enjoyed Cloud Atlas more than this one as well, but I'm still glad I read it.
docpacey's review against another edition
5.0
I could have finished this book in one sitting, but i didn't because David Mitchell at his best is like, oooooh and I hate to say it, a box.of.chocolates -- absolutely best enjoyed a piece at a time.
BSG is supposedly a bit autobiographical, so it lacks some of the interconnectedness that run as themes through Mitchell's other works, but there is an easter egg, and it's quite obvious, and immediately brings a smile.
Now as this is a coming of age story about a 12 yr old boy in england in 1982, it might not resonate with every audience, but it's wonderfully written as a series of vignettes about the trials and tribulations of a boy with a speech issue who struggles to express himself and, quite literally, make it through middle school alive.
Language is both friend and foe to Jacob Taylor, but since Mitchell is an absolute master of language, this double edged sword has a keen edge on every page.
Q: 4
E: 5
I: 4
(24)
Upon re-read, I would not change a thing about my review. Utterly enjoyable from page 1.
BSG is supposedly a bit autobiographical, so it lacks some of the interconnectedness that run as themes through Mitchell's other works, but there is an easter egg, and it's quite obvious, and immediately brings a smile.
Now as this is a coming of age story about a 12 yr old boy in england in 1982, it might not resonate with every audience, but it's wonderfully written as a series of vignettes about the trials and tribulations of a boy with a speech issue who struggles to express himself and, quite literally, make it through middle school alive.
Language is both friend and foe to Jacob Taylor, but since Mitchell is an absolute master of language, this double edged sword has a keen edge on every page.
Q: 4
E: 5
I: 4
(24)
Upon re-read, I would not change a thing about my review. Utterly enjoyable from page 1.
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book from the very first page. I could relate to Jason so strongly, the struggles of navigating the world of secondary school, the inner self battling with the need to fit in and not stand out. This book is funny, real, and so layered that you can just get absolutely lost in the village amongst the characters. There's enough 80's nostalgia to make it special without dating it, and with enough hindsight to make some clever observations. I was in a reading rut, but this has pulled me out of it. I wish I could discover it all over again!
alecia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5