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qkjgrubb's review
2.0
This was technically a well done book, but I couldn't get into the characters that much. I had a hard time believing that Sebastian was that self-aware, or that Janice was that out of control with her kids. I thought the geometry/punk music comparison interesting, but there was something off. I couldn't put my finger on it. Perhaps it was the voice? That the only character I liked was Sebastian, but even he got on my nerves too. I wanted to like this more, but I think that the writing didn't live up to the interesting comparisons and creative premise.
courtandspark's review
4.0
a sweet book about some quirky people and some big and little issues set to the tune of punk rock.
sevseverance's review
4.0
My sister, Katie, gave me this book because it is written by one of her friends from Macalester, and thus written by one of my fellow Mac Alums. I admit I was skeptical and I also didn't like the cover very much, but it was really enjoying to read. There were so many little insights I wanted to highlight or underlined (but didn't, because it was Katie's book). I enjoyed his writing and how he described so eloquently many simple parts of growing up, whatever your age. This is also the second book I've read that has mentioned Buckminster Fuller extensively and I am now drawn to learning more about him, more than just that he has a unique name.
justjoel's review
5.0
I no longer remember what prompted me to add this to my TBR, but I remember reading the first chapter and thinking it was something I'd like as it featured a socially awkward teen who was raised under odd circumstances (he lives with his grandma in a geodesic dome which doubles as a tourist attraction).
Well, the rest of the book was not what I'd expected from the first chapter, but it was better than I'd hoped it would be. The contrast between Sebastian's neatly ordered life and the absolute anarchy of the punk rock he comes to love were nice, as was his blossoming friendship with heart-transplant recipient Jared.
I spent a lot of time dying from secondhand embarrassment in the first part of the book, and a lot of time laughing toward the end. I was a bit surprised by the ending but in a good way. Even though this deals with some heavy issues, I felt like it ended on an almost hopeful note.
There were a few minor details I felt were glossed over a bit, but based on my overall enjoyment, I'm giving this 5 out of 5 stars.
Well, the rest of the book was not what I'd expected from the first chapter, but it was better than I'd hoped it would be. The contrast between Sebastian's neatly ordered life and the absolute anarchy of the punk rock he comes to love were nice, as was his blossoming friendship with heart-transplant recipient Jared.
I spent a lot of time dying from secondhand embarrassment in the first part of the book, and a lot of time laughing toward the end. I was a bit surprised by the ending but in a good way. Even though this deals with some heavy issues, I felt like it ended on an almost hopeful note.
There were a few minor details I felt were glossed over a bit, but based on my overall enjoyment, I'm giving this 5 out of 5 stars.
jeffkevlar's review
4.0
An excellent, fun read. I started reading and couldn't put it down.
The protagonist, Sebastian, lives in a secluded world in a geodesic dome with his Grandmother, who believes he will save the world. He meets a young punk rocker and starts a band instead.
The story is smart and deep, delving into issues of family and friendship and responsibility.
The protagonist, Sebastian, lives in a secluded world in a geodesic dome with his Grandmother, who believes he will save the world. He meets a young punk rocker and starts a band instead.
The story is smart and deep, delving into issues of family and friendship and responsibility.
auroraleighs's review
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
2.75
This was okay and a neat concept. The writing style didn't vibe with me though. And the way was teenage girl was written in this was....oof. yikes.
kittenpuke's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tlm1964's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
4.0
michellesantiago's review
4.0
Sebastian Prendergast lives in a geodesic dome with his kooky grandma, an ardent believer and follower of Buckminster Fuller's philosophies and architectural designs. Sebastian doesn't leave the dome much and everything he knows, he learned from his grandma who has a grand plan for him. When Grandma suffers a stroke, he was taken in by the Whitcomb family who has a son, Jared, a foul-mouthed, chain smoking heart transplant recipient. In Jared, Sebastian learns all about being a teenager and together they form a punk band. With its original plot, this tale of friendship, family and punk music was cleverly written and surprisingly unputdownable--surprising because I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.
Sebastian told the story in first person and I enjoyed his voice, the way he said what he said reminded me a lot of Christopher Boone from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (another book I surprisingly enjoyed). But my favorite character is Jared--you just feel for this kid but it's hard to like him in the beginning because he was very crude... the things that come out of his mouth! Once you get more into the story, you get a sense of his loneliness, the physical limitation due to his illness and you can't help but love him. I love the friendship between Jared and Sebastian and I thought Sebastian's crush on Jared's sister was so sweet. Along with the two boys, the other character's voices rang true as well; their flaws and their emotions were understandable.
Though it took me a few chapters to get used to it, to the different voice after all the YA and romance I've been reading, I thought the writing was great, especially the dialogue between the boys, the plot original and it turned out being a quick read for me. When I put it down, I find myself picking it back up again because I wanted to keep going because I was intrigued--it was a strange mix of punk music references, Buckminster Fuller, geodesic domes, things of which I am not familiar with but it was very entertaining nonetheless. The House of Tomorrow is not my usual kind of book, but it's good to read outside the box once in a while especially if they're this good. If you're looking for a different read, you might want to pick this book up. It will appeal to older teens and adults (due to explicit language and sexual situations).
Sebastian told the story in first person and I enjoyed his voice, the way he said what he said reminded me a lot of Christopher Boone from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (another book I surprisingly enjoyed). But my favorite character is Jared--you just feel for this kid but it's hard to like him in the beginning because he was very crude... the things that come out of his mouth! Once you get more into the story, you get a sense of his loneliness, the physical limitation due to his illness and you can't help but love him. I love the friendship between Jared and Sebastian and I thought Sebastian's crush on Jared's sister was so sweet. Along with the two boys, the other character's voices rang true as well; their flaws and their emotions were understandable.
Though it took me a few chapters to get used to it, to the different voice after all the YA and romance I've been reading, I thought the writing was great, especially the dialogue between the boys, the plot original and it turned out being a quick read for me. When I put it down, I find myself picking it back up again because I wanted to keep going because I was intrigued--it was a strange mix of punk music references, Buckminster Fuller, geodesic domes, things of which I am not familiar with but it was very entertaining nonetheless. The House of Tomorrow is not my usual kind of book, but it's good to read outside the box once in a while especially if they're this good. If you're looking for a different read, you might want to pick this book up. It will appeal to older teens and adults (due to explicit language and sexual situations).