sweets_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.75
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
This is not only a sweet story by a favorite author and a Printz honor book but it has it all-- all the elements of a good story: love, adventure, drama, cannibals, science, discovery, ad dolphins. I will be recommending this one to all my students.
egg_gremlin's review against another edition
4.0
I've owned this book for about two years, and it's a shame I didn't bother to read it until now. I aught to have trusted that Sir Terry Pratchett would not disappoint, even when telling a story set outside of his famous Discworld.
Mau has been off on a journey to become a man, but when he returns to his island home, he finds the titular Nation destroyed by a massive wave, and everyone he knows dead, leaving him to dispose of their bodies. At the same time, Ermintrude, a girl who hates her name and and the stifling expectations of her high-class grandmother has washed up onshore in a broken ship with all the other passengers drowned. Together they work to find a reason to continue on, and to rebuild the ruined Nation with the help of survivors of the storm from other islands.
This book felt like it could have fallen into so many overdone tropes, but it never did. It doesn't glamorize the lives of island dwelling people, or suggest that their way of life in either simpler or more pure. Nor is it the story of a plucky youngster gaining the favor of the "savages" and moving up their ranks to be even better at their way of life than they are. But it is a story about different perspectives, and how we can't live without them. It's a story about people from different cultures coming together to learn from each other. It delves a lot into the topic of religion, but never feels like it is pushing any sort of end-all-be-all conclusion on the reader. But it acknowledges that importance of heritage, no matter one's beliefs. Mau and Daphne(as she renames herself) are two kids who go through hell to change both their worlds for the better, and it was a joy to watch them do it.
I think the only complaints I have with this book are the ones that a brought up in universe at the very end, and the explanation at the end make me feel a bit silly for being disappointed. It would have been nice if it had been neater, but what is life if not random and messy?
Mau has been off on a journey to become a man, but when he returns to his island home, he finds the titular Nation destroyed by a massive wave, and everyone he knows dead, leaving him to dispose of their bodies. At the same time, Ermintrude, a girl who hates her name and and the stifling expectations of her high-class grandmother has washed up onshore in a broken ship with all the other passengers drowned. Together they work to find a reason to continue on, and to rebuild the ruined Nation with the help of survivors of the storm from other islands.
This book felt like it could have fallen into so many overdone tropes, but it never did. It doesn't glamorize the lives of island dwelling people, or suggest that their way of life in either simpler or more pure. Nor is it the story of a plucky youngster gaining the favor of the "savages" and moving up their ranks to be even better at their way of life than they are. But it is a story about different perspectives, and how we can't live without them. It's a story about people from different cultures coming together to learn from each other. It delves a lot into the topic of religion, but never feels like it is pushing any sort of end-all-be-all conclusion on the reader. But it acknowledges that importance of heritage, no matter one's beliefs. Mau and Daphne(as she renames herself) are two kids who go through hell to change both their worlds for the better, and it was a joy to watch them do it.
I think the only complaints I have with this book are the ones that a brought up in universe at the very end, and the explanation at the end make me feel a bit silly for being disappointed. It would have been nice if it had been neater, but what is life if not random and messy?
annie1507's review
4.0
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Terry Pratchett never ceases to amaze me. This story feautures his wit, humour and originality, which are also intertwined with the discussion of serious topics and problems. I didn't expect that, and it shook me. Well done, Sir, well done!
I highly recommend you all read it. Best would be if you do that on the beach, lying on a towel with dolphins on it, like I did ;)
Terry Pratchett never ceases to amaze me. This story feautures his wit, humour and originality, which are also intertwined with the discussion of serious topics and problems. I didn't expect that, and it shook me. Well done, Sir, well done!
I highly recommend you all read it. Best would be if you do that on the beach, lying on a towel with dolphins on it, like I did ;)
a_riddle0204's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
suericker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
lucy_a's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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