springdellgirl

Book Review



If I don't immediately write a review it just doesn't happen. I finished this book this afternoon. My thoughts: Weird...but I like it...I think. This book was an experience.

From School Library Journal:

Oskar Schell is not your average nine-year-old. A budding inventor, he spends his time imagining wonderful creations. He also collects random photographs for his scrapbook and sends letters to scientists. When his father dies in the World Trade Center collapse, Oskar shifts his boundless energy to a quest for answers. He finds a key hidden in his father's things that doesn't fit any lock in their New York City apartment; its container is labeled "Black." Using flawless kid logic, Oskar sets out to speak to everyone in New York City with the last name of Black.-Matthew L. Moffett,

I have not read Jonathon Safran Froer's first novel Everything is Illuminated so I had nothing to compare it to. Therefore I didn't find it gimmicky and I didn't feel manipulated. I enjoyed the ride of his abrupt writing style...the inclusion of pictures...blank pages...illustrations...imagery...craziness...and hilarious prose.

I loved Oskar. He cracked me up and he broke my heart. I loved everything about this poor broken tambourine playing kid. And...he uses my ultimate favorite phrase "What the?" Which I said prior to reading this book. But I also found myself busting out with "raison d'être" just the other night in a conversation with my mom. In addition, could there be a more apt description of sadness/depression than "heavy boots?" Oskar Schell, you are awesome. I enjoyed getting to know you but I had a really hard time believing that you were a nine year-old boy.

During the course of Oskar's quest for the mysterious lock I enjoyed many of the eclectic characters we meet along the way...particularly Mr. Black the 103 year-old former journalist and Ms. Black who lives at the Empire State Building. As for the interwoven tale of Oskar's grandparents, their suffering, and consequently their shattered lives following the bombing of Dresden; I was moved by what they experienced and I felt for their psychological pain and grief but I found that I didn't like either of them at all. Oskar's mother was even more difficult to understand.

The real beauty of this book is that it brings the tragedy of September 11th back to the forefront of my mind. I loved the poignancy of Oskar learning to live with his father's death. As for the ending...I found myself asking "What the?"

Non-traditional? Yes. Odd? Yes. Worth reading? Yes.

My rating: Good