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A review by scarletshore
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.5
This was my first time reading an R.J. Palacio book. After finishing it, I wish I’d picked it up sooner. The chapters are very short, often less than five pages each, making it easy to follow along. The story has a slow pace, as it centers around the main character's life journey, but it’s more than just August Pullman’s point of view. We also get glimpses into the lives of those closest to him.
August was born with facial differences, and the book beautifully explores how he and his family deal with the way others treat him. The way people see him and how they react to him is central to the plot. The author does a great job of showing the emotions that each character experiences. I could feel the sadness, frustration, and hope through every page.
One part of the book did throw me off a bit, though. There’s a section with no quotation marks and everything is written in lowercase. It was a bit unsettling, but thankfully, it's only in one of the eight parts of the book. I found it distracting, but it didn’t take away from the overall story too much.
The message in Wonder is clear and powerful: kindness matters. The quote, "When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind," is one of the key takeaways. It’s a reminder of how much small acts of kindness can mean to someone, and that’s a message we can all take to heart.
By the end, I was left with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart. It is a touching and heartfelt book that everyone should read at least once.
August was born with facial differences, and the book beautifully explores how he and his family deal with the way others treat him. The way people see him and how they react to him is central to the plot. The author does a great job of showing the emotions that each character experiences. I could feel the sadness, frustration, and hope through every page.
One part of the book did throw me off a bit, though. There’s a section with no quotation marks and everything is written in lowercase. It was a bit unsettling, but thankfully, it's only in one of the eight parts of the book. I found it distracting, but it didn’t take away from the overall story too much.
The message in Wonder is clear and powerful: kindness matters. The quote, "When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind," is one of the key takeaways. It’s a reminder of how much small acts of kindness can mean to someone, and that’s a message we can all take to heart.
By the end, I was left with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart. It is a touching and heartfelt book that everyone should read at least once.