A review by starlings
Counting Stars by David Almond
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
David Almond's signature dreamlike style just doesn't land in this collection. There's no room for his philosophical musings to breathe, and it never quite feels complete.
The semi-autobiographical nature of the stories doesn't help. His clear fascination with the Other--ranging from exotic beliefs to the mentally disabled--comes off as something close to fetishization when written from his own childhood perspective. Perhaps it's unfair, but I find it adds a sour note to the whole book for me.
The semi-autobiographical nature of the stories doesn't help. His clear fascination with the Other--ranging from exotic beliefs to the mentally disabled--comes off as something close to fetishization when written from his own childhood perspective. Perhaps it's unfair, but I find it adds a sour note to the whole book for me.