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tashreads2manybooks's Reviews (1.06k)
I really wanted to LOVE this book, but in the end I probably Really Liked it. The structure and storytelling is so different to anything else I have read. I loved the use of colour and grammatical errors; of pictures and paragraph spacing, but in the end I felt that this book just tried too hard. It's definitely worth a read but will not go onto my most memorable list.
When I first began reading this book, I found keeping track of all the different characters and relationships to be quite challenging. However, after a little perseverance they felt like old friends.
Rowling is a marvellous story teller, and her characters are quite believable. They were all quite flawed, but aren't we all. I found Fats the worst of the lot - he was an ungrateful bully and a coward, and so pretentious with he search for an 'authentic' life.
I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and while this novel is completely different, Rowling did not disappoint!
Rowling is a marvellous story teller, and her characters are quite believable. They were all quite flawed, but aren't we all. I found Fats the worst of the lot - he was an ungrateful bully and a coward, and so pretentious with he search for an 'authentic' life.
I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and while this novel is completely different, Rowling did not disappoint!
Beautiful and devastating. A simple read with funny and witty dialogue (though let's be honest, teenagers do not speak like this), the tenderness of first love and the gritty realism of illness and loss. I will definitely be reading more John Green novels.
What would make a woman with a successful career, a happy family and a devoted husband leave it all behind to start a new life?
Emily Coleman is running away. She leaves Manchester with nothing but a small suitcase and a little money. Her family receives no explanation. In fact they do not know where in the world she is. On the same day, Cat Brown arrives in London with nothing but a small suitcase, a little money and a big secret.
Slowly, Emily transforms her life and identity until she really becomes Cat Brown. But how easy is it to forget your past? Does running away make what you left behind any easier to accept?
One Step Too Far is a compelling read. I had to discover the reason behind Emily’s escape. Was I disappointed? No, I might have done the same in her situation. But I do think some readers may find her actions unforgivable and selfish.
The narrative structure of the novel is quite fragmented, and I found this literary technique a bit jarring in the beginning of the book. However, once I became accustomed to switching between 1st and 3rd person narrative, I found it to be quite a clever tool. Emily’s voice is in 1st person, while the other character’s points of views are always in 3rd person.
While I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters, I didn’t detest them either. Emily’s housemates in London in particular are a quirky, interesting bunch and her aptly named saviour, Angel, while misguided, has a certain lovable quality about her. My only quarrel with the characterisation is poor Caroline, Emily’s wayward twin sister. Without spoiling the ending, let’s just say her story ended a bit too abruptly and without any sensitivity.
One Step Too Far will keep you guessing and will ultimately pose the question: what would I do if I were in Emily’s shoes?
Emily Coleman is running away. She leaves Manchester with nothing but a small suitcase and a little money. Her family receives no explanation. In fact they do not know where in the world she is. On the same day, Cat Brown arrives in London with nothing but a small suitcase, a little money and a big secret.
Slowly, Emily transforms her life and identity until she really becomes Cat Brown. But how easy is it to forget your past? Does running away make what you left behind any easier to accept?
One Step Too Far is a compelling read. I had to discover the reason behind Emily’s escape. Was I disappointed? No, I might have done the same in her situation. But I do think some readers may find her actions unforgivable and selfish.
The narrative structure of the novel is quite fragmented, and I found this literary technique a bit jarring in the beginning of the book. However, once I became accustomed to switching between 1st and 3rd person narrative, I found it to be quite a clever tool. Emily’s voice is in 1st person, while the other character’s points of views are always in 3rd person.
While I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters, I didn’t detest them either. Emily’s housemates in London in particular are a quirky, interesting bunch and her aptly named saviour, Angel, while misguided, has a certain lovable quality about her. My only quarrel with the characterisation is poor Caroline, Emily’s wayward twin sister. Without spoiling the ending, let’s just say her story ended a bit too abruptly and without any sensitivity.
One Step Too Far will keep you guessing and will ultimately pose the question: what would I do if I were in Emily’s shoes?
This book had me hooked from the opening pages. A seemingly wired teenager is stopped at the Dover border with a bag full of marijuana, some cash and an urn containing the remains of one Mr. Peterson. The search for the boy and Mr. Peterson has been all over the news, and for the second time in his extraordinary life, Alex Woods is surrounded by media hype.
The first time was when he was 10 years old and woke from a coma after being hit in the head by a meteorite.
Alex lives near Glastonbury with his esoteric mother and helps out in her Wiccan shop. He seems to me to be slightly autistic, although this is never referred to in the text. He is very much an outsider and lives on the peripheral of his peer group. He is bullied at school and his closest friends consist of scientists and doctors.
The crux of the novel is Alex’s friendship with Mr. Peterson – an unlikely relationship to say the least. After being ‘forced’ to spend time together, they quickly develop a bond and share a mutual respect. This relationship is beautifully explored and illustrates how friendship can breach any age gap.
Alex’s narration is precise and logical (as he is himself) but is an absolute joy to read. It is funny and touching in its honesty, although sometimes I had to remind myself that this was the story told by a seventeen year old, not the twelve year old he seems to be. Alex is very naïve – more so then I think a seventeen year old should be. But that’s ok. I loved him anyway.
Some people may find Alex’s preoccupation with science and astronomy a little distracting and tedious. However, I found his explanations simple and interesting (maybe I am a science geek at heart too).
The ultimate message in the book is of love and friendship, yet at the end poses an interesting moral dilemma. From the plot and the writing, I think it is safe to say on which side Extence stands, and I tend to agree with him. But what do you think?
Be prepared to fall in love with a rather strange geek!
The first time was when he was 10 years old and woke from a coma after being hit in the head by a meteorite.
Alex lives near Glastonbury with his esoteric mother and helps out in her Wiccan shop. He seems to me to be slightly autistic, although this is never referred to in the text. He is very much an outsider and lives on the peripheral of his peer group. He is bullied at school and his closest friends consist of scientists and doctors.
The crux of the novel is Alex’s friendship with Mr. Peterson – an unlikely relationship to say the least. After being ‘forced’ to spend time together, they quickly develop a bond and share a mutual respect. This relationship is beautifully explored and illustrates how friendship can breach any age gap.
Alex’s narration is precise and logical (as he is himself) but is an absolute joy to read. It is funny and touching in its honesty, although sometimes I had to remind myself that this was the story told by a seventeen year old, not the twelve year old he seems to be. Alex is very naïve – more so then I think a seventeen year old should be. But that’s ok. I loved him anyway.
Some people may find Alex’s preoccupation with science and astronomy a little distracting and tedious. However, I found his explanations simple and interesting (maybe I am a science geek at heart too).
The ultimate message in the book is of love and friendship, yet at the end poses an interesting moral dilemma. From the plot and the writing, I think it is safe to say on which side Extence stands, and I tend to agree with him. But what do you think?
Be prepared to fall in love with a rather strange geek!