siriuslysirius's review against another edition
2.0
While I understand that The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket is a children's book, it's just not good. John Boyne is an obvious Harry Potter fan and can't seem to separate his writing from that universe. We get similar names and borrowed stories. Example: there is a character named Alistair and a character surname of McGonagall (there are two more). The plot of the story is ripped straight from Harry Potter. A kid has something special, his parents, who are obsessed with normalcy (this book begins with explaining how normal they are - thank you very much), don't like Barnaby's specialness. So, he's not treated very well. Not only that, he's kept hidden inside the house. Then when he's of age, sent to a special school called Graveling School (Harry was supposed to go to Stonewall). These example can go on and on, but I digress. I'm all for being inspired by others' work, but c'mon.
Throughout the book, the Boyne forgets that Barnaby is 8 years old. He speaks like an adult. In response to a question, he responds with "indeterminate". That's a stretch for 8 year old dialog. Maybe Boyne wants Barnaby to feel like an adult for kids to better grasp vocabulary?
Boyne also thinks that depressurization of a spacecraft can act as artificial gravity...
"The air has to be depressurized and regulated; otherwise we'd be hitting our heads on the ceiling." WHAT?? And yes, part of the story takes place in microgravity from being in low-earth orbit.
The only saving grace of this book is it's message:
It's okay to be different. That difference might lead you to help others.
Best quote of the book (added either out of ignorance or deliberately for adults reading this book with children):
“Melanie!” snapped Eleanor, appalled. “Do not use that word. I will not have anybody being stimulated in this house, do you hear me? It’s not normal.” “I’ve never been stimulated in my life,” added Alistair. “And I’m in my forties.”
Throughout the book, the Boyne forgets that Barnaby is 8 years old. He speaks like an adult. In response to a question, he responds with "indeterminate". That's a stretch for 8 year old dialog. Maybe Boyne wants Barnaby to feel like an adult for kids to better grasp vocabulary?
Boyne also thinks that depressurization of a spacecraft can act as artificial gravity...
"The air has to be depressurized and regulated; otherwise we'd be hitting our heads on the ceiling." WHAT?? And yes, part of the story takes place in microgravity from being in low-earth orbit.
The only saving grace of this book is it's message:
It's okay to be different. That difference might lead you to help others.
Best quote of the book (added either out of ignorance or deliberately for adults reading this book with children):
“Melanie!” snapped Eleanor, appalled. “Do not use that word. I will not have anybody being stimulated in this house, do you hear me? It’s not normal.” “I’ve never been stimulated in my life,” added Alistair. “And I’m in my forties.”
molatedi's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellently written book , which may be targeted at kids but can be enjoyed by all ages. It teaches the reader about the value of our differences , accepting that everyone has a different definition of normal.
It would have gotten 5 stars from me if it didn't seem to have this underlying message of sticking with your family even when they treat you like trash , which is something I don't agree with at all .
It would have gotten 5 stars from me if it didn't seem to have this underlying message of sticking with your family even when they treat you like trash , which is something I don't agree with at all .
james1star's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was such a great book and one I’d totally recommend no matter your age. In many ways Barnaby Brocket retains lots typical of its childrens/middle grade genre following the titular character as he grows up in Sydney living as the only oddity within the ‘normal’ family of the Brockets… as he defies gravity. When his unnaturalness gets too much for his parents they make a terrible decision and so Barnaby, along with us the reader, gets to take a journey around the world and in doing so meet a whole cast of weird and wacky characters. A similar idea of the good, misunderstood and heroic child becoming the better person in comparison to their parents is prevalent and whilst there are definitely other ‘baddies’ the diversity and nuance within this book is rather lovely. For many younger people I feel some messages might go over their head but for adults and the more eagle-eyed, Boyne does a lot in this book which I truly appreciated. The whole range of characters have all dealt with this concept of ‘otherness’ and been removed from their family in some way and Barnaby acts as hero helping them on a journey of their own whilst he’s on a major quest himself. I think overcoming one’s differences and just accepting people for who they are, embracing what makes us unique for a pro not a con is the key message in the book and it’s a lovely one, great for children to learn and pick up from a young age before the prejudices of adults can infect their minds.
Despite seeming like the most ‘normal’ couple in Australia, the Brocket parents really aren’t all that. For starters they did have a past life which led them to having the mindset they do in the contemporary story which we get a glimpse into and I did really enjoy these parts. Secondly, they orchestrated something a very small number of parents would actually do to their child. Thirdly, they’re so focused on being ‘normal’ that their existence is rather robot-like so on the whole it’s not all that ‘normal’ or ‘ordinary’ I guess would be a more apt term, compared to their neighbours for example. They are the real weirdos in this book when it comes down to it… I’m not being mean here just like chill out a bit Brockets.
Overall, I’d really recommend giving this book a read (or listen like I did) as it’s on the whole a good fun story but the messages are just extra lovely and great for children to take in. I cannot wait to read more Boyne books after this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Child abuse
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Sjeesh, his parents are really mean aren't they? OMG my kid isn't normal, lets just dump him. *rolls eyes*
And I didn't like Barnaby at all times, sometimes he just seemed to be much older than he is. Also that he didn't seem to understand that his parents dumped him, I think it would be clear, given the amount of dislike they gave him.
I liked the whole going around the world part.
And I didn't like Barnaby at all times, sometimes he just seemed to be much older than he is. Also that he didn't seem to understand that his parents dumped him, I think it would be clear, given the amount of dislike they gave him.
I liked the whole going around the world part.
yassywazzy's review against another edition
4.0
this kinda reminded me of the little prince
his parents r hella annoying but everyone else slays go barnaby 👋
his parents r hella annoying but everyone else slays go barnaby 👋
chandaurtara's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5
Okay, so here's the thing, right?
I really liked this book. I swear, I DNFed it about 10 pages from the end.
I liked the characters, I liked the writing, I liked the plot/circumstances.
I like John Boyne a lot, and he really manages to amuse me and satisfy my angsty-story cravings.
HOWEVER.
However, sometimes enough is enough.
Sometimes the OTHER characters are the ones that REALLY pull you in, not the meh-protagonist.
Sometimes you are done with this lovable character, and the writing, however good, is just not enticing enough to pull you back to actually finish the damn story.
Sometimes....
You're just bored. >
I know the MC is safe, I know he's okay, and now... honestly, there is nothing left in your story. Yes, Barnaby Brocket is cute, I give him that. He's kind. He's honest. He's a goody-goody lil boy. But once I know there will be no more interactions with the fascinating characters that John Boyne has snuck in including the lesbian couple, the pregnant teen and all the other 'freaks', I'm kinda done with this story.
So, yeah.
If you want to read John, please PLEASE read [b:The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas|39307525|The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Read & Respond)|Helen Lewis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521309325s/39307525.jpg|60899494].
Okay, so here's the thing, right?
I really liked this book. I swear, I DNFed it about 10 pages from the end.
I liked the characters, I liked the writing, I liked the plot/circumstances.
I like John Boyne a lot, and he really manages to amuse me and satisfy my angsty-story cravings.
HOWEVER.
However, sometimes enough is enough.
Sometimes the OTHER characters are the ones that REALLY pull you in, not the meh-protagonist.
Sometimes you are done with this lovable character, and the writing, however good, is just not enticing enough to pull you back to actually finish the damn story.
Sometimes....
You're just bored. >
I know the MC is safe, I know he's okay, and now... honestly, there is nothing left in your story. Yes, Barnaby Brocket is cute, I give him that. He's kind. He's honest. He's a goody-goody lil boy. But once I know there will be no more interactions with the fascinating characters that John Boyne has snuck in including the lesbian couple, the pregnant teen and all the other 'freaks', I'm kinda done with this story.
So, yeah.
If you want to read John, please PLEASE read [b:The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas|39307525|The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Read & Respond)|Helen Lewis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521309325s/39307525.jpg|60899494].
miamcloughlin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
msmelisa's review against another edition
4.0
A little heavy handed but I'm giving it a 4 because he put a lesbian couple in it. And happy lesbians at that!