frootjoos's reviews
1040 reviews

I don't know if everyone will like this book. I like it from a writerly standpoint and knowing that it is written for the Independent Reader level (about 8 to 12 years old).

There are passages I want to read over and over because they are beautifully written--poetic prose, if you will. Basil is a lovable little character, and I also love the World Tree element that keep cropping up in children's literature nowadays (for example, in [author: Michael Scott]'s [book: The Alchemyst] and [author: Joanne Harris]'s [book: Runemarks]). All in all I would describe this book as very pensive, and quotable. There's something I want to quote in just about every chapter.

However, readers expecting some sort of quickly plotted narrative, or a boy-girl romance, will be disappointed. There are barely even humaoid characters in here!

The plot/theme ranges from the very basic (Who am I? What am I? Where am I now?!? Ack, get away from me, predator!) to the nebulous and philosophical (Why am I so small? I want to be big!! Wait, is it ok to be small? Am I supposed to be something someday that I am not now, or do I need to become content with myself as I am?) and I know a lot of readers who will be looking only for movie-like action-adventure big explosions, etc. To those people I say, go read the Inheritance series, much good may it do you.

I loved this book. I'm going to read it again.

Ok, I enjoyed it. Despite myself. I do have to go back and re-listen to part of it, as I fell asleep during a crucial portion. But I still give it high marks. Less aggravating than Angels & Demons, for sure.

Yes, the writing is middle-grade at best. Two or three times I physically jerked at a poorly worded sentence.

However, sometimes you just want to enjoy the ride! Grin and bear it and you'll be told a fun, engaging, and myth-riddled tale!

I can't tell you anything about the book you haven't already hear elsewhere... I think we're all better off knowing as little as possible about it when you read it!

Wait until after reading to watch the movie. I get it, people are disappointed at the liberties the film takes with the novel. But I think 15 years of living near Hollywood has finally gotten it into my head--they have 2 hours to tell a story the author took 16 hours to tell in print! It's never going to be a literal, word-for-word translation from book to movie. I loved the movie, it renewed my *heart* for Tom Hanks and of course I already adored Audrey Tautou. Ron Howard is pretty high on my cool people list, thanks to Arrested Development.

I listened to the audio book and loved it. So different from the movie! The movie is like, 5% of the book. Fun, and I love Anne Hathaway, but ultimately missing the meat of the story.

Too short!

I'm going to read it again so it can be twice as long.