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sarahmcgurren13's review against another edition
3.0
Although I never read this book as a kid (or seen the movie!), I know this was such a popular one in elementary school. Reading it as an adult, I realized how deep the story is and how it tackles things like race, child-incarceration, familial roots, friendships, and bravery.
tarinamkd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
quetzalquill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
It's always powerful when children's literature doesn't shy away from honest depictions of violence, while managing to avoid being gratuitous. Holes is honest about the abusiveness of the prison industrial complex in the present-day plot line, and the realities of lynching and police corruption in the past timeline. The theme of generational curses was powerful, and the plot was very tight. Knocking half a star for use of stereotypical tropes with Madame Zeroni, and because I wish themes of racism in the modern day had been explored more.
alextheo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was bingeable and sweet! Gave stand by me vibes.
shinypurplepants's review against another edition
3.0
Re-read this on a drive and had a fun time. Not a big fan of the narrator but the story holds up very well!
yourfriendfinn's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
4.0
Really a great book for everyone- an incredibly adapted film may I add as well!
leoward123's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
trilobiter's review against another edition
4.0
This is about as charming as a story about child labor in the prison-industrial complex can be. The multigenerational structure and fantasy elements are satisfyingly tied together, and the world feels lived in and livable, even when it's kind of screwed up. It really speaks to any one who has been called upon by impersonal forces to toil pointlessly.
The ending is a little pat, and while I admired the overall tones of its racial politics, I was a little troubled by some of the exoticized mysticism. The old "gypsy woman lays a curse on your family" business is something that really needs to be reevaluated as a standard story element. Though Holes otherwise avoids explicit anti-Roma tropes, it seemed worth remarking upon.
The ending is a little pat, and while I admired the overall tones of its racial politics, I was a little troubled by some of the exoticized mysticism. The old "gypsy woman lays a curse on your family" business is something that really needs to be reevaluated as a standard story element. Though Holes otherwise avoids explicit anti-Roma tropes, it seemed worth remarking upon.
spiderelsa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Now I understand the hype around this book/movie. I'll try to catch the movie sometime, too.
I would also classify this as 'a romp', but with more depth than that classification seems to usually have - maybe because it's more plot-driven than character-driven.
I would also classify this as 'a romp', but with more depth than that classification seems to usually have - maybe because it's more plot-driven than character-driven.