spaceykate's review
4.0
My dad gave me a copy of this book last year, pointing out the author (I really enjoyed Preston's books on infectious diseases) and told me to read it. I didn't get a chance until this morning, after a restless sleep waiting to hear news about my dying grandfather. Perhaps my current emotional state helped me connect to this tale of two children who just want their dad to come home, seizing on the idea of sharing dreams as a way to escape reality. Quite a nice little read, all in one sitting. Definitely teared up at the end.
I love how Preston vividly characterizes figures in both his fiction and non-fiction works. Some of my favorite bits from the book:
Possibly my favorite bit is when Willie says "You did a nice job making the universe, Sir." And Santa replies, "It's just a cobbled rig to hold the dreams." And, of course, a line my own father says often that perhaps he got from this book: "I guess I should have said at the beginning that this is a love story."
Great gift for Christmas.
I love how Preston vividly characterizes figures in both his fiction and non-fiction works. Some of my favorite bits from the book:
Spoiler
when the children are shouting dreams, Willie says "I dreamed you found the most valuable treasure on Earth!" And Santa continues, "And the treasure you found was the Earth. I'm dreaming of red-tailed hawks, the way they stream south along the ridges! I'm dreaming of sequoia trees, thrusting their ancient spires at the moon! I'm dreaming of canyons, deepening imperceptibly with every droplet of rain! I'm dreaming of whales, the way they breach and throw the sea off their backs! I'm dreaming of prairies, ignited with flowers from horizon to horizon! For twelve billion years I have dreamed! Such a long time to dream, yet it was no time at all! I dreamed that time did not register its flow! I dreamed that what registered in the end was only love, for love is the only power strong enough to shake time to it core and make it loosen its grip! What is wrong with you people? Have you forgotten how to love?"Possibly my favorite bit is when Willie says "You did a nice job making the universe, Sir." And Santa replies, "It's just a cobbled rig to hold the dreams." And, of course, a line my own father says often that perhaps he got from this book: "I guess I should have said at the beginning that this is a love story."
Great gift for Christmas.
marythecrazycatlady's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A short but heartwarming story. The characters are very relatable. I may have had an eyelash or two fall in my eyes. The writing style is the only reason it's not 5 stars, it wasn't choppy but it wasn't as fluid as I would expect from such a short novel.
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