mbhernandez's review
4.0
Very enjoyable book about a troubled teenaged boy finding his way. While there were a few moments that seemed to stretch the bounds of reality a little too far, the majority of the book was very good. This book has been compared to a modern day Huck Finn, which I could definitely see.
jadedaly's review
4.0
Rule of the Bone is the perfect example of what Stephen king said in Hearts in Atlantis
" There are also books full of great writing that don't have very good stories. Read sometimes for the story, Bobby. Don't be like the book-snobs who won't do that. Read sometimes for the words - the language."
This book was a hard read for me written/grammar wise. But the story was captivating, and defiantly worth the bit of struggle i had in the beginning. This is a book you should read for the story.
" There are also books full of great writing that don't have very good stories. Read sometimes for the story, Bobby. Don't be like the book-snobs who won't do that. Read sometimes for the words - the language."
This book was a hard read for me written/grammar wise. But the story was captivating, and defiantly worth the bit of struggle i had in the beginning. This is a book you should read for the story.
havxishxci's review
3.0
3.5
This book was very easy to read, probably on account of the very loose sentence structure of the narration. But, at the same time it was pretty hard to read through on account of some of the terrible scenes that plague Bone's life.
I think Bone was a very sympathetic main character that was really easy to root for despite the messed up things that he was often doing. I-Man was a very interesting and compelling mentor, and it was fun to learn some Rasta philosophy from him. Many of the other characters just felt comically evil or very tropey.
I wanted to rate this book higher, but there were a lot of very unlikely things that occured that seemed super unnatural and kind of contrived. Also at times felt like trauma porn :/
This book was very easy to read, probably on account of the very loose sentence structure of the narration. But, at the same time it was pretty hard to read through on account of some of the terrible scenes that plague Bone's life.
I think Bone was a very sympathetic main character that was really easy to root for despite the messed up things that he was often doing. I-Man was a very interesting and compelling mentor, and it was fun to learn some Rasta philosophy from him. Many of the other characters just felt comically evil or very tropey.
I wanted to rate this book higher, but there were a lot of very unlikely things that occured that seemed super unnatural and kind of contrived. Also at times felt like trauma porn :/
cryingmysadriver's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
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? No
4.0
lorimichelekelley's review against another edition
4.0
Audio version: This is the third Russell Banks book I've listened to now. While it is my least favorite of the three, it was still an enjoyable listen. This one tells the story of a couple of years in the life of teenager Chappie, soon to rename himself as Bone. He's had a tough life and it shows in his decisions. But it also shows how he keeps trying to make things better with his mother, but she just doesn't listen. It's sad when stories like this show just how easy it might be to turn things around, but the complexities of all the lives interacting with each other and the resistances the characters have built up around themselves just make it impossible for them to see beyond their own noses. I read to broaden my perspectives, but sometimes, what I read brings me right back to myself, and this one did that. It made me see where I've alienated people in my past because of my own inability to just stop for a minute and actively listen without letting my own agenda get in the way. And this one also provided a character who is an example of someone who knows how to listen. The narration was spot on.
lalla_the_midwife's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
heybender's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kinda reminds me of the catcher in the rye but the protagonist is a sweet mid-90s suburban punk rocker that you actually root for and this book is actually great!