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devydude1020's review against another edition
5.0
Josh Malerman has created a brilliantly twisted coming-of-age story, highlighting the importance of truth, at any age, and the devastation misinformation can cause. From the New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box comes a world of secrets, lies, and dangerous revelations.
In the forests of Northern Michigan stands two towers being operated by an organization of scientists and ex-felons. The Parenthood, as they call themselves, have an underlying theory about the human condition that they are putting to the test. They believe the opposite gender is a distraction from genius, so by separating twenty-six boys and twenty-six girls and raising them in facilities closed off to the outside world, they hope to breed geniuses.
J studies at the school meant for the boys, the Alphabet Boys, and they have no idea about the school for girls nearby, or the fact that females exist at all. He has spent his entire life at the Turret with the twenty-five other boys he calls his brothers, all of whom think of the founder of the school as their father, or D.A.D. They are all being trained to be prodigies of art, science, math, and athletics, and this is the only life they’ve ever known—and all they are allowed to know.
But when J suspects that D.A.D. hasn’t been entirely truthful, his ignorant bliss quickly begins to unravel, leaving him with so many questions. What is beyond the pines? What is the purpose of this place? Why can the students never leave? What secrets have their father been hiding from them?
This novel does an outstanding job of portraying an unimaginable perspective of the world through characters that are innocent and undeserving of such extreme censorship. Inspection would make a great book club choice, with many social topics worth discussing within its pages.
In the forests of Northern Michigan stands two towers being operated by an organization of scientists and ex-felons. The Parenthood, as they call themselves, have an underlying theory about the human condition that they are putting to the test. They believe the opposite gender is a distraction from genius, so by separating twenty-six boys and twenty-six girls and raising them in facilities closed off to the outside world, they hope to breed geniuses.
J studies at the school meant for the boys, the Alphabet Boys, and they have no idea about the school for girls nearby, or the fact that females exist at all. He has spent his entire life at the Turret with the twenty-five other boys he calls his brothers, all of whom think of the founder of the school as their father, or D.A.D. They are all being trained to be prodigies of art, science, math, and athletics, and this is the only life they’ve ever known—and all they are allowed to know.
But when J suspects that D.A.D. hasn’t been entirely truthful, his ignorant bliss quickly begins to unravel, leaving him with so many questions. What is beyond the pines? What is the purpose of this place? Why can the students never leave? What secrets have their father been hiding from them?
This novel does an outstanding job of portraying an unimaginable perspective of the world through characters that are innocent and undeserving of such extreme censorship. Inspection would make a great book club choice, with many social topics worth discussing within its pages.
youraveragedave's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
A mad scientist couple has the idea that sex interfers with the development of genius. So they buy aa big chunk of isolated land in Michigan and adopt a bunch of baby boys and girls to raise completely separate without the concept of gender.
The Alphabet Boys are raised by D.A.D and the Letter Girls by M.O.M.
Interesting concept, but the execution is a little lacking. There is great tension building and some tense scenes. The girls side of the story is a little underdeveloped, but I can see why it is abbreviated since it would be quite a similar experience to the boys. The concept of girls developing and maturing faster comes into play, especially as the two groups become aware of each other. I did feel the girls were a bit of a Deus Ex Machina at the end though.
The Alphabet Boys are raised by D.A.D and the Letter Girls by M.O.M.
Interesting concept, but the execution is a little lacking. There is great tension building and some tense scenes. The girls side of the story is a little underdeveloped, but I can see why it is abbreviated since it would be quite a similar experience to the boys. The concept of girls developing and maturing faster comes into play, especially as the two groups become aware of each other. I did feel the girls were a bit of a Deus Ex Machina at the end though.
marcia_94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Slow beginning, but I'm glad I plowed through because the middle and end were SO good, I could not stop reading. Such an original concept. A movie adaptation would be the cherry on top of the cake.
straylight's review against another edition
3.0
"A social experiment gone terribly wrong..." this book started out just a bit slow for me. However, it does pick up and lead to a relatively satisfactory ending. I would have loved to hear a bit more of the background of the various characters, and from where the whole experiment developed, but the overall story is good none the less. I have heard some concern about how the main characters' personalities seem to change abruptly, but given the path of the story, I could see how this might be reasonable, to some degree, at least.
civilgurl83's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
I tried, but I just couldn't get into this book. I love dystopian novels and the premise sounded so interesting.
There are two groups of 12 year old kids. All named alphabet letters. Boys in one tower and girls in another. The first half of the book we follow a boy named J with 23 others letter boys. They know only the life they live with D.A.D. And the inspections they endure checking for rot. Two other alphabet boys A and Z were sent to the corner, the boys know this is a place they don't want to be.
Next part of the book we learn of a girl named K under the same circumstances. Her best friend J disappeared to the corner. Both J and K are curious and know nothing of the opposite sex.
I never could really figure out what the end goal of the towers were and why the boys and girls could know nothing of eachother, other than that distract each other with attraction.
When it finally started getting interesting and picking up, it felt so rushed to conclude. We spent so much time with each kid just to rush the end. I wished l less time was spent in the towers and more time was given to the ending of this story. Instead the boy and girl stories are just very slow and repetitive.
Don't get me wrong though. I love Josh Malerman after bird box and I'll continue to read thru his collection. Inspection (although not my fave) shows to me he has an expansive imagination and I look forward to reading more of his work.
I tried, but I just couldn't get into this book. I love dystopian novels and the premise sounded so interesting.
There are two groups of 12 year old kids. All named alphabet letters. Boys in one tower and girls in another. The first half of the book we follow a boy named J with 23 others letter boys. They know only the life they live with D.A.D. And the inspections they endure checking for rot. Two other alphabet boys A and Z were sent to the corner, the boys know this is a place they don't want to be.
Next part of the book we learn of a girl named K under the same circumstances. Her best friend J disappeared to the corner. Both J and K are curious and know nothing of the opposite sex.
I never could really figure out what the end goal of the towers were and why the boys and girls could know nothing of eachother, other than that distract each other with attraction.
When it finally started getting interesting and picking up, it felt so rushed to conclude. We spent so much time with each kid just to rush the end. I wished l less time was spent in the towers and more time was given to the ending of this story. Instead the boy and girl stories are just very slow and repetitive.
Don't get me wrong though. I love Josh Malerman after bird box and I'll continue to read thru his collection. Inspection (although not my fave) shows to me he has an expansive imagination and I look forward to reading more of his work.
kristalall's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
amandamae15's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
anelia93's review against another edition
4.0
Идеята е интересна, но сякаш още нещо малко ми липсваше. Мистерия почти нямаше, всичко си беше ясно от самото начало. Образът на М.А.Й.К.А. си личи, че е допълнително вмъкнат в сюжета при редакциите. Има някои висящи във въздуха елементи. Финалът също ми беше твърде кървав и опорочаващ. Това са деца на 12 години...
catsinbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
karinabourne's review against another edition
1.0
I almost gave up @ 16%, persevered to 23% and then gave up...