Reviews

The Boy Adeodatus: The Portrait of a Lucky Young Bastard by Bernard Smith

ellingtonfeint's review against another edition

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5.0

I like the middle part best, where nothing really happens but Ryl just fixes up the old place and hangs with her friends or explores the farm or town. That's the best part.

Then at the end the plot swoops back in with a conflict, and then wraps everything neatly up, and that's it. I just don't get the part at the end where
SpoilerRyl and Perry find out they're siblings, then he's like, I've never kissed a girl it would be nice if my first kiss was with my sister!? That's just weird, is it a brotherly kiss? If so, why preface it like that? I guess too when I first read it, I did not pick up AT ALL on the hints of Ryl and Perrys parentage, and I liked Perry best of all the boys, so I was shipping it all the way through, maybe it's me reading it the wrong way? Ok anyway rant over.

gamechanging4's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Amaryllis Jane Merewether, known as Ryl, has jointly inherited a substantial estate ,Bundoora in Murwillumbah, North New South Wales with her previously unknown grandfather, Dusty. The crusty relationship between this ill suited pair is explored as they find themselves with different ideas about what to do with their property - and about spending the money they have inherited.  Through her encounters with this remote community, and ultimately her shared battle with Dusty to preserve their home, Ryl finds love, friendship, family, and her future career path, as well as discovering the truth about her parentage.  A wonderful ‘coming-of-age’ novel set in 1960’s Australia.
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