cookiedoughicecream's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ispeakbooknerd's review
3.0
The Color of the Sun by David Almond is set in the town of Tyneside, England. It takes place over the course of one day in the life of Davie, whose father recently passed away. Early in his wanderings of the day, we discover that Jimmy Killen has been murdered.. likely suspect, Zorro Craig. Davie continues to wander about town, passively searching for Zorro Craig.
This is a book about loss, grief, and healing. It's a book about life and death. It's a book about love and hate and war, and how pointless the latter two really are. It brings up questions of spirituality and the afterlife, and about what place a person occupies in the world.
I liked this book. I wouldn't say I was super impressed by it, though. It seems like this book tried to pack a big punch into too quickly paced a story; thus, not quite hitting the point of most significant impact. I do genuinely respect what the author was attempting, though, and appreciate that there -was- some impact. It didn't fully miss the mark, but it could've done better.
I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this to my friends, but if the description provided in the book blurb piques one's interest, I'd say go for it. It was a quick and easy read, enjoyable enough, and did make some points to make a person ponder the questions asked.
This is a book about loss, grief, and healing. It's a book about life and death. It's a book about love and hate and war, and how pointless the latter two really are. It brings up questions of spirituality and the afterlife, and about what place a person occupies in the world.
I liked this book. I wouldn't say I was super impressed by it, though. It seems like this book tried to pack a big punch into too quickly paced a story; thus, not quite hitting the point of most significant impact. I do genuinely respect what the author was attempting, though, and appreciate that there -was- some impact. It didn't fully miss the mark, but it could've done better.
I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this to my friends, but if the description provided in the book blurb piques one's interest, I'd say go for it. It was a quick and easy read, enjoyable enough, and did make some points to make a person ponder the questions asked.
amandabingham4's review against another edition
4.0
When I started I realised I had already read it. But I was happy to read it again. It has a nice mix of fantasy and reality.
f33lthesun's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
oddlyconfusing's review against another edition
4.0
David Almonds neues Buch „Ein finsterheller Tag“, ist alles andere als was man erwartet, rechnet man doch mit einer Detektivgeschichte als Davie von seinem Freund erfährt, dass eine Leiche in seiner Heimatstadt gefunden wurde. Sofort machen sich die neugierigen Jungen auf den Weg, um sich den Fund genauer anzusehen und für die beiden ist es sofort klar, wer der Mörder ist, als sie die Leiche von Jimmy Killen sehen. Es muss Zorro gewesen sein, ein Junge aus der Craig Familie. Die beiden Familien liegen schon lange im Streit und drohen sich mit Mord, doch was hat das Fass zum Überlaufen gebracht?
Davie will sich selbst auf die Suche nach dem Täter machen. Auf seinem Weg durch die Stadt, begegnet er den Menschen, mit welchen er aufgewachsen ist, er lauscht ihren Theorien und Gedanken und folgt selbst seiner Fantasie und träumt von sich, seinen verstorbenen Vater und dem Mord.
„Er wandert heute durch alles, als wäre es ein Traum, als wäre es eine Geschichte, die sich entfaltet. Es ist eine Geschichte von Entdeckungen, obwohl er durch Orte geht, die er so gut kennt. Es ist eine Geschichte, in der jeder Schritt ein Wort ist, das ihn weiter ins Unbekannte führt.“
Die Geschichte um Davie hat mich überrascht. In vielerlei Hinsicht. Ich habe eine Detektivgeschichte erwartetet und auch bekommen. Nur eben sehr anders, als erwartet. Viel tiefgründiger und bildgewaltiger. Themen wie Familienfehden, Hass, Vorurteile, Rollenbilder, Krankheit und Tod werden ebenso aufgegriffen, wie freie Entfaltung und das Erwachsenwerden an sich.
„Es gibt überall versteckte Orte, die nur darauf warten, gefunden zu werden“, sagte Dad. „Sogar in einer kleinen Stadt wie dieser, wo man meinen könnte, man hätte schon alles gesehen, was es zu sehen gibt.“
Dabei schwankt der Schreibstil zwischen philosophisch, poetisch und durch die Augen eines Kindes verträumt. Zu Beginn ist es nicht so einfach hinzufinden, doch nach den ersten Seiten gewöhnt man sich daran und wird von Davies Gedanken und seiner Reise durch die Kleinstadt mitgezogen. Die Hauptfigur und auch die Schauplätze sind toll beschrieben – manchmal etwas aussergewöhnlich, aber unbedingt lesenswert!
Davie will sich selbst auf die Suche nach dem Täter machen. Auf seinem Weg durch die Stadt, begegnet er den Menschen, mit welchen er aufgewachsen ist, er lauscht ihren Theorien und Gedanken und folgt selbst seiner Fantasie und träumt von sich, seinen verstorbenen Vater und dem Mord.
„Er wandert heute durch alles, als wäre es ein Traum, als wäre es eine Geschichte, die sich entfaltet. Es ist eine Geschichte von Entdeckungen, obwohl er durch Orte geht, die er so gut kennt. Es ist eine Geschichte, in der jeder Schritt ein Wort ist, das ihn weiter ins Unbekannte führt.“
Die Geschichte um Davie hat mich überrascht. In vielerlei Hinsicht. Ich habe eine Detektivgeschichte erwartetet und auch bekommen. Nur eben sehr anders, als erwartet. Viel tiefgründiger und bildgewaltiger. Themen wie Familienfehden, Hass, Vorurteile, Rollenbilder, Krankheit und Tod werden ebenso aufgegriffen, wie freie Entfaltung und das Erwachsenwerden an sich.
„Es gibt überall versteckte Orte, die nur darauf warten, gefunden zu werden“, sagte Dad. „Sogar in einer kleinen Stadt wie dieser, wo man meinen könnte, man hätte schon alles gesehen, was es zu sehen gibt.“
Dabei schwankt der Schreibstil zwischen philosophisch, poetisch und durch die Augen eines Kindes verträumt. Zu Beginn ist es nicht so einfach hinzufinden, doch nach den ersten Seiten gewöhnt man sich daran und wird von Davies Gedanken und seiner Reise durch die Kleinstadt mitgezogen. Die Hauptfigur und auch die Schauplätze sind toll beschrieben – manchmal etwas aussergewöhnlich, aber unbedingt lesenswert!
sarahrita's review against another edition
3.0
I feel as though this may be an unpopular opinion, and though this review will probably seem mostly negative, I will be sure to include some aspects I did enjoy, and please remember that this is all subjective. I may not have enjoyed it so much but I have no doubt that others will love it.
The writing was very nicely done, and whimsical, almost stream of conscious style. On that alone, I couldn't fault it. It would be a perfect summer read, especially if you're able to lay out on the grass under the sun and feel like you're there with the characters.
The issues I had with the plot itself were that... well, overall, it just felt like the author didn't fully commit to their story. There was a major plot point which I had expected, or hoped, to play more of a role in shaping the main characters actions and thoughts but it had next to no affect. The ending basically negated the presence of that particular plot point as well. I'm trying to hard to not spoil this.
The characters were a little washed out for my liking, though they had SO much potential. Wilf and Gosh could have been much stronger, as well as Davie. It's as though they let the plot lead them instead of leading themselves which took away a lot of the presence.
Overall it felt quite disconnected. I feel as though something like this may have worked better as a picture story book, a little more condensed and precise with imagery to complement it.
All in all, not a bad read, but not one of my favourites. I understand this is for young readers, but I feel like they could handle a bit more... strength.
The writing was very nicely done, and whimsical, almost stream of conscious style. On that alone, I couldn't fault it. It would be a perfect summer read, especially if you're able to lay out on the grass under the sun and feel like you're there with the characters.
The issues I had with the plot itself were that... well, overall, it just felt like the author didn't fully commit to their story. There was a major plot point which I had expected, or hoped, to play more of a role in shaping the main characters actions and thoughts but it had next to no affect. The ending basically negated the presence of that particular plot point as well. I'm trying to hard to not spoil this.
The characters were a little washed out for my liking, though they had SO much potential. Wilf and Gosh could have been much stronger, as well as Davie. It's as though they let the plot lead them instead of leading themselves which took away a lot of the presence.
Overall it felt quite disconnected. I feel as though something like this may have worked better as a picture story book, a little more condensed and precise with imagery to complement it.
All in all, not a bad read, but not one of my favourites. I understand this is for young readers, but I feel like they could handle a bit more... strength.
nitroglycerin's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s cliche to describe something we coming of age, but this is a coming of age novel of a boy becoming a teen, growing up, learning how life really is etc.
I picked this because Almond is a local author to the north east, and this book is set in the Tyneside area which is an immediate draw for me.
I picked this because Almond is a local author to the north east, and this book is set in the Tyneside area which is an immediate draw for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
Another new book from David Almond, the picture at this point says cover coming soon, well it has been and gone, but anyway, this was typical Almond fare with his unique style, and there are some good moments as well as ordinary moments. He is not a favourite author of mine, but he is worth reading, and always has something to say that makes you think. He may be an Almond, but he is more than a nut.