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The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 04:19:44 GMT

Title: The English Patient
Author: Michael Ondaatje
Genre: Drama, AP Lit

Brief Summary: The lives of four strangers entwine in an Italian villa following WWII.

Review: Ondaatje writes beautifully. For that reason alone, one should read this book. Yet, Ondaatje is more than just pretty words. He also tells a pretty amazing story (beautifully) and presents some surprising ideas about the Second World War.

The English Patient weaves the stories of four very different people dealing with the wars after effects. There is Hanna - the nurse, Caravaggio – the thief, Kip – the sheik sapper, and the mysterious English Patient. All four are paradoxal, well-rounded characters with flaws and strengths. The English Patient explores the effects of war and love, and toys with the idea that they are not so different after all.
Final Verdict: One of my all- time favorite books. Simply magnificent

Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 04:07:59 GMT

Title: Side Effects
Author: Amy Goldman Koss
Genre: YA, Drama, Comedy

Brief Summary: Fourteen year old Izzy lives through hell after being diagnosed with lymphoma in this surprisingly funny short novel.

Review: Side Effects is a beautifully written story about fourteen-year-old Izzy’s experience with lymphoma and chemotherapy. Koss set out to write a funny story about the tragedy of cancer in the young, and she has succeeded beyond expectation. Side Effects is genuinely funny – my favorite scene was the stop at the grocery store after she was administered medical marijuana – without loosing the sense of hopefulness and seriousness one expects in a story of this type. The novel deals not only with the reaction of a teen with cancer, but also with the effect of the illness on friends and family. The ending focuses towards the future without being overly sentimental.
Final Verdict: Wonderful, and unlike any that came before, Koss has written a novel that should certainly be a contender for BBYA and TTT.

What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 03:54:45 GMT

Title: What Happened to Cass McBride?
Author: Gail Giles
Genre: YA, Suspense

Brief Summary: Cass McBride is an all-American girl. The daughter of a rich salesman, Cass knows how to get what she wants. However, after the suicide of his brother, Kyle Kirby plans a revenge on Cass that will change her life, and his.

Review: One of my darkest fears is being buried alive, unfortunate because it is growing to be a common occurrence in books, movies, and television (Kill Bill II and CSI). Thus, this short and suspenseful novel, creeped me out. The book is more than just a story to keep me up at night. What Happened to Cass McBride? is an brief look at high school politics, psychological motivations, and abusive family relationships. The families in the book mirror each other and both contain a parent whose love is wanes and ebbs with the child’s actions. Giles does an amazing job at getting the reader into the character’s head, the book is written from the point of views of Kyle, Cass, and the police investigating the kidnapping, and the reader grows sympathetic to both Kyle and Cass. In fact, the only two bad people to come out of the novel are Kyle’s mother and Cass’s father.

Final Verdict: The book walks the line between suspense and family drama beautifully, and Giles crafts a story that is hard to put down. This short read is recommended, as it contains elements to entice most teens.

Stolen Voices by ?

Fri, 05 May 2006 13:30:42 GMT

Title: Stolen Voices
Author: ?
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Distopia

Stolen Voices is another in the line of dystopian society sci-fi novels. Now I have nothing against the genre, some of my favorite novels are from this genre (think The Giver and The Diary of Pelly D), however I was apathetic to Stolen Voices. I found nothing in the book to distinguish it from the myriad of others – a difficult task. I also wanted to hit the main character over the head 90% of the novel, including the end. The plot was transparent and common.
Final Verdict: With a forgettable story, unsympathetic characters, and transparent plot, skip Stolen Voices and instead pick up The Giver or The Diary of Pelly D.lj-cut>

The Joker by Ranfulo

Fri, 05 May 2006 00:48:27 GMT

Title: The Joker
Author: Ranfulo
Genre: YA, Drama, Retelling

Now, I realize that I have just finished a two month intensive study on Hamlet, and thus I probably got more out of this book that many others my age, but I really liked this book. Ranfulo has taken Shakespeare’s Hamlet, transplanted it to Australia, cut it up into little pieces, and glued it back together again. While Ranfulo has taken a few liberties with characters and storylines – Matt/Hamlet’s father is not dead, but instead a depressed alcoholic and there is no Horatio – The Joker keeps to the essence of Hamlet. I would love to see another review on this book from someone who has not read Hamlet, just to see what they think, although I doubt that is his target audience.
Final Verdict: Enthralling, a must for students who dislike Shakespeare’s language, but love the plots. Also great for anyone who likes dark or experimental fiction.