Reviews

The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

librariandest's review against another edition

3.0

A sort of surreal, sad story. Very quick read. Had a very "translated from the French" feel to it. If you think you'd like a kind of post-modern fairy tale (and not in a girly way b/c this is actually pretty male-centered) you might like this.

confuusedcreaturex4's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

4.0

lealee's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Une petite lecture en une traite faite dans le bus entre Madrid et Cangas. Ça m'a vachement émue! J'ai trouvé la narration super intéressante, et vraiment prenante comme ce sont de petits chapitres. Le changement de ton entre chaque témoignage donne vraiment un côté naturel et amusant. J'ai beaucoup aimé l'union de cette fratrie qui se tient les coudes.
Trop chouette

peut-être qu'à la fin j'aurai enlevé la voix de Yann et celle du capitaine du bateau, pour laisser une fin plus ouverte. son témoignage n'était pas forcément nécessaire et n'en disait même pas grand chose de ses intentions. mais bon uhu

apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Animal cruelty

margaret_j_c's review against another edition

5.0

this book was everything i wanted. a fairy-tale retelling, the ocean, kids in charge, astonishingly open endings....

danyell919's review against another edition

3.0

This book was kind of depressing and the end was not good ... I'm still not sure what to say about it.

charleyy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

tcbueti's review against another edition

5.0

An odd book--very fairy-tale-like, almost unreal feeling. Told by various people involved in the flight of seven children, including one who is incredibly small. Although the story is bleak, the way they take care of each other is very touching. At the end, you're left with unanswered questions--unusual and memorable. Great for discussion.

librarybrods's review against another edition

4.0

seven brothers run
due west to ocean; all twins,
but Yann. weirdly good.

watkins's review against another edition

4.0

This book was written in French and translated into English. He is 10 years old and the size of a toddler, but considered by all his brothers to be very wise. He tells his brothers they must leave home because their parents are planning to “harm them.” They believe him and he leads them on a journey to the sea. The Pull of the Ocean is told from the viewpoints of Yann’s brothers and many others who encounter the 7 on their way to the sea. We do not hear from Yann until the end of the story. The different characters telling their stories allows us to experience a variety of viewpoints in French society. It is obvious that the characters are not American and do not consider things as Americans would. This book promotes understanding of a different culture by keeping the uniquely French viewpoint in the English translation. It is based on the traditional fantasy of Le petit poucet, a French version of Tom Thumb.
I would use this book in a beginning level French class. It is a fun read and would introduce some intrest in France.