malglories's review against another edition
4.0
You know, I used to feel a sort of shame that I like to read YA. It's not true literature to so many people. They view it as immature, think one book defines the whole genre, see it as uncomplicated and simple.
This year I've read more adult books than I ever have before, and while my choice to do so has paid off in thousands of ways, I still appreciate YA - and if I didn't, I would never have been open-minded enough to read this truly lovely and wholly different MG book, and that would have been a shame.
Furthermore surprised me, really. I knew the book would be saturated by color - that is the issue our protagonist grapples with, after all - but I didn't expect it to be quite so cinematic, picturesque, and utterly lush. The world itself is a treat, full of delectable and sometimes frightening oddities. I saw certain scenes so vividly in my mind I'll never be able to forget them, honestly. And there is an undercurrent of true viciousness that really delighted me (there's a scene involving pantsuits that was actually terrifying). Mafi created a decadent, colorful world that...bites.
The writing is quirky and elegant - both childlike and refined. In both world and writing style, I was reminded me of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (and on purpose, I think, as this protagonist is Alice, too, but this is a rival to that in its own right). Sometimes the dialogue felt out of place, too old for twelve-year-olds, but it just added to the charm. The narrator is very chatty, and I think it could annoy some people, but I loved it.
And even beyond that, the themes are really important and sweet and not preachy at all; some of the concepts and emotions are so, so adult and sophisticated. If I wanted to have children, I'd give them this book. Even though I don't, I'm saving it.
The ending was a bit rushed, some parts were clumsy, but all in all, I really liked this.
Furthermore is truly imaginative and intriguing, and it was such a delight to read.
This year I've read more adult books than I ever have before, and while my choice to do so has paid off in thousands of ways, I still appreciate YA - and if I didn't, I would never have been open-minded enough to read this truly lovely and wholly different MG book, and that would have been a shame.
Furthermore surprised me, really. I knew the book would be saturated by color - that is the issue our protagonist grapples with, after all - but I didn't expect it to be quite so cinematic, picturesque, and utterly lush. The world itself is a treat, full of delectable and sometimes frightening oddities. I saw certain scenes so vividly in my mind I'll never be able to forget them, honestly. And there is an undercurrent of true viciousness that really delighted me (there's a scene involving pantsuits that was actually terrifying). Mafi created a decadent, colorful world that...bites.
The writing is quirky and elegant - both childlike and refined. In both world and writing style, I was reminded me of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (and on purpose, I think, as this protagonist is Alice, too, but this is a rival to that in its own right). Sometimes the dialogue felt out of place, too old for twelve-year-olds, but it just added to the charm. The narrator is very chatty, and I think it could annoy some people, but I loved it.
And even beyond that, the themes are really important and sweet and not preachy at all; some of the concepts and emotions are so, so adult and sophisticated. If I wanted to have children, I'd give them this book. Even though I don't, I'm saving it.
The ending was a bit rushed, some parts were clumsy, but all in all, I really liked this.
Furthermore is truly imaginative and intriguing, and it was such a delight to read.
chandaurtara's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, I read this so long ago that I actually don't really remember what exactly happens in this book, but I do remember loving it.
So, yeah.
I need to re-read a LOT of books anyway, and this one is definitely on my TBRR pile.
So, yeah.
I need to re-read a LOT of books anyway, and this one is definitely on my TBRR pile.
jessicad90's review against another edition
4.0
https://www.reviewsandroses.nl/overzicht-boekrecensies/
Verdermeer is absoluut een aanrader voor alle tien tot twaalf jarigen. Maar ik raad het zeker ook de volwassenere fans aan. Niet alleen is het verhaal een groot avontuur vol fantasie en magie, maar het bevat ook nog eens een prachtige boodschap. Dat je anders bent, betekent niet dat je raar bent. Het betekent dat je bijzonder bent. Misschien dat alleen bij het einde ietwat teveel toeval kwam kijken, maar hé, who cares? Dit boek zal het ongetwijfeld goed doen bij fans van Alice in Wonderland en unieke bijzondere verhalen. Je leest Verdermeer in één ruk uit. O! En wat ik helemaal vergeet te benoemen: Verdermeer bevat een leeslint, en jongens, ik heb nooit geweten hoe belachelijk handig dat is. Zo fijn!
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Echt een bijzonder boek.
Verdermeer is absoluut een aanrader voor alle tien tot twaalf jarigen. Maar ik raad het zeker ook de volwassenere fans aan. Niet alleen is het verhaal een groot avontuur vol fantasie en magie, maar het bevat ook nog eens een prachtige boodschap. Dat je anders bent, betekent niet dat je raar bent. Het betekent dat je bijzonder bent. Misschien dat alleen bij het einde ietwat teveel toeval kwam kijken, maar hé, who cares? Dit boek zal het ongetwijfeld goed doen bij fans van Alice in Wonderland en unieke bijzondere verhalen. Je leest Verdermeer in één ruk uit. O! En wat ik helemaal vergeet te benoemen: Verdermeer bevat een leeslint, en jongens, ik heb nooit geweten hoe belachelijk handig dat is. Zo fijn!
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Echt een bijzonder boek.
mommytaco's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pluisje's review against another edition
2.0
maybe it was just my mood but after starting a other book that one just had my attention more than this one did.
tthe_cancerian's review against another edition
5.0
Furthermore was absolutely stunning! It was such a beautiful and heartwarming story, I had the biggest smile once I finished it. I absolutely adored it. Tahereh Mafi has a way with words that is truly remarkable.
emperor_e's review against another edition
2.0
This was an unique idea, but it felt weird. I did not like the characters at all, they had some character development but I just didn’t feel that it was very realistic. The pacing of the book was strange. Overall I just didn’t like it.
caiken4's review against another edition
3.0
Very Alice in Wonderland-y inspired story. It was a quick listen and face paced. what's up is down and left is right. You'll find Oliver is the Mad Batter and everything is backwards in Furthermore.