tiffyofthemonts's review against another edition
3.0
Confession: The only reason I was ever remotely interested in this book is because it was inspired by Sufjan Steven's song for the lord god bird, an ivory-billed woodpecker that was rediscovered in Brinkley, Arkansas, in the mid 2000s. I loved that song when it was first released, and when I heard in 2011 that some guy had written a book inspired by it, my attention was piqued.
Where Things Come Back is a slow story. It feels like being outside on a hot summer day: sluggish, dull, you'd rather be anywhere else. There are a few key story lines that weave in and out of the book, and it makes your head spin, trying to figure out how everything comes together. The build-up is tiresome. It moves forward at a snail's pace and the different stories really only gel in the last few pages.
For me, one of the most difficult things about reading this book was that, intentionally or not, Cullen Witter is a condescending asshole. I think he's meant to be witty and clever and sharp-tongued, but he just comes across as a judgmental, pretentious 16-year-old boy with some internalized girl hate that stems from his own insecurity. (Okay, maybe I'm reading into things. My point is that I didn't enjoy reading this book from his perspective.)
The other characters were just not that interesting to me either. I think they could have been. I think if John Corey Whaley had tightened up the story and made all those characters (Ada, Mena, Benton, Cabot – even his brother Gabriel) more relevant, instead of having them pop in and out for no particular reason, I might have enjoyed this book. But that would have been a different book entirely. This story really lacks meaningful character development, so up until the last twenty pages or so, we're just wandering around, feeling like nothing is happening. That, paired with Whaley's writing – which often seems like it's trying hard to be quirky and different – makes the entire story feel stilted.
Where Things Come Back was just not the right book for me. But for what it's worth, it won the William C. Morris YA Debut Award AND the Printz Award in 2012, so clearly others enjoyed it.
More reviews, including this one, on my blog: Bookplates for Brunch.
Where Things Come Back is a slow story. It feels like being outside on a hot summer day: sluggish, dull, you'd rather be anywhere else. There are a few key story lines that weave in and out of the book, and it makes your head spin, trying to figure out how everything comes together. The build-up is tiresome. It moves forward at a snail's pace and the different stories really only gel in the last few pages.
For me, one of the most difficult things about reading this book was that, intentionally or not, Cullen Witter is a condescending asshole. I think he's meant to be witty and clever and sharp-tongued, but he just comes across as a judgmental, pretentious 16-year-old boy with some internalized girl hate that stems from his own insecurity. (Okay, maybe I'm reading into things. My point is that I didn't enjoy reading this book from his perspective.)
The other characters were just not that interesting to me either. I think they could have been. I think if John Corey Whaley had tightened up the story and made all those characters (Ada, Mena, Benton, Cabot – even his brother Gabriel) more relevant, instead of having them pop in and out for no particular reason, I might have enjoyed this book. But that would have been a different book entirely. This story really lacks meaningful character development, so up until the last twenty pages or so, we're just wandering around, feeling like nothing is happening. That, paired with Whaley's writing – which often seems like it's trying hard to be quirky and different – makes the entire story feel stilted.
Where Things Come Back was just not the right book for me. But for what it's worth, it won the William C. Morris YA Debut Award AND the Printz Award in 2012, so clearly others enjoyed it.
More reviews, including this one, on my blog: Bookplates for Brunch.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I am inclined to give this a 3.5. I did like it and enjoyed the mysterious qualities. It took me awhile to warm up to the characters, but I did care about them eventually. This next bit is petty, but I read the words a$$ hat about 10-15 times too many.
laurawikoff's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book about 10 years ago and have wondered about it ever since. I think its best suited for a younger audience, but i still enjoyed rereading it. Theres a lot of ambiguity. Its a book about second chances where they almost always still dont work out. But sometimes, things do come back.
internationalkris's review against another edition
2.0
I expected a lot from this Michael L. Printz award winner (2013) but for the most part I thought it just didn't deliver. Some of characters were real and interesting - I did like the main character Cullen and his best friend Lucas. Aside from that though they were too angelic (Gabriel) too secondary (all the girl friends) and too wacked (the Georgia branch of the novel). The small town life aspect of the novel was wholly present but never really fleshed out with any awesome stories. Once the reader figures out what is going on with the alternating chapters, the plot becomes predictable. "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos or "Okay for Now" by Gary Schmidt are much better picks in the same genre.
doxamully's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
marielaiko99's review against another edition
4.0
I had some trouble with the pacing in certain parts of this book, but I thought it had a great plot. I gasped at least ten times while reading it; everything fit together surprisingly well while still conveying emotion and using realistic characters.
kittypaws9's review against another edition
3.0
The first one-third to half of this book is great. I love the main character's voice. I love the writing. Several parts are laugh-out-loud funny. And then it takes a turn. A very confused turn into being part mystery, part ... I'm not even sure actually. I found most of the second-half offputting. I'm not even sure that that particular story line was even necessary. Don't get me wrong, there are some hidden gems, but even the ending was a dud.
bookie_queenie's review against another edition
5.0
I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. I was bored out of my mind and decided to give it a try, thinking that I wouldn't even read a chapter. But before I knew it, I had devoured the book. Something about the way it is written just makes you want to never stop reading it. It's sad, simple and straightforward.
This small-town story made me feel so many things at once. It's about life and people and the impact we have on each other. It's also about a bird.
I love this book for teaching me that "We can just be" instead of messing up our own lives stressing about anything and everything. This weirdly depressing book made me feel happier and lighter and made me think that life doesn't have to be so hard after all.
Also, I think this is one of those books that you either love or hate. And I loved it.
This small-town story made me feel so many things at once. It's about life and people and the impact we have on each other. It's also about a bird.
I love this book for teaching me that "We can just be" instead of messing up our own lives stressing about anything and everything. This weirdly depressing book made me feel happier and lighter and made me think that life doesn't have to be so hard after all.
Also, I think this is one of those books that you either love or hate. And I loved it.
dingo765's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
5.0