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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
This may be one of the better books I've read. I picked it up at the library as the only Terry Pratchett book sitting on the shelf and I was NOT expecting the jewel I unwrapped. It is a children's novel but if you are an adult, I would definitely recommend you read this book too. The immersive story is the classic boy and a girl stranded on an island but takes off in an entirely unexpected way. It makes you think but is carried along by Pratchett's characteristic humor.
I have to start this by saying that this isn't your typical Terry Pratchett novel. If you're looking for Discworld, you're looking in the wrong book.
With that being said, this is one of the most enjoyable Young Adult books I've read in a long time. Terry Pratchett has a way of writing Young Adult novels that aren't condescending, with an interesting and thought provoking story line and three dimensional characters. Nation is a perfect example of this.
In Nation, we're introduced to two main characters, a male and female, both with flaws, and both trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. It's a coming of age story, but also deals with colonialism, belief systems, prejudice, bias, and even cannibals, pirates, and grandfathers. The characters learn that there is so much more to themselves and the world around them than they were raised to believe, and challenge the systems around them that try to tell them otherwise.
I would definitely recommend Nation to readers both young and old. I think it has something for everyone in it and something that everyone can take away from it.
I know that I couldn't put it down and was sad when I got to the last page.
With that being said, this is one of the most enjoyable Young Adult books I've read in a long time. Terry Pratchett has a way of writing Young Adult novels that aren't condescending, with an interesting and thought provoking story line and three dimensional characters. Nation is a perfect example of this.
In Nation, we're introduced to two main characters, a male and female, both with flaws, and both trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. It's a coming of age story, but also deals with colonialism, belief systems, prejudice, bias, and even cannibals, pirates, and grandfathers. The characters learn that there is so much more to themselves and the world around them than they were raised to believe, and challenge the systems around them that try to tell them otherwise.
I would definitely recommend Nation to readers both young and old. I think it has something for everyone in it and something that everyone can take away from it.
I know that I couldn't put it down and was sad when I got to the last page.
A delightful tale of new beginnings, coming of age, science and religion. As usual, lovely flashes of humour.
Having just completed his Nation's traditional transition from boyhood to manhood, Mau returns home to an island of death. A large wave has destroyed his village and killed everyone he knows. It has also washed ashore a European ship where the only passenger is Daphne, soon to be known as the Ghost Girl. As they struggle through language barriers, they are joined by other survivors. Together, they must protect their small community from death and raiders, while also challenging their understanding of religion and history.
This has to be the best book I've read/listened to in ages! I love the philosophical discussions hidden in compelling narrative and engaging characters. I'm afraid to say too much for fear of spoiling; the story is still so fresh in my memory that I can't write a full review without sharing too much. I can say that I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read more from Pratchett.
This has to be the best book I've read/listened to in ages! I love the philosophical discussions hidden in compelling narrative and engaging characters. I'm afraid to say too much for fear of spoiling; the story is still so fresh in my memory that I can't write a full review without sharing too much. I can say that I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read more from Pratchett.
Terry Pratchett. One day, someone "respectable" will read one of his books and discover they're much, much more than silly fantasy novels, and they'll be republished with "respectable" covers and everyone will read them and realize how much is really in there.
"Nation" is not a discworld novel. It's set in an alternate universe on a small island, where the survivors of a giant tidal wave are trying to pick up the pieces. The central figures are a native boy and an English girl, and as they're trying to survive they're also question the things they've always been told - most importantly, the existance of a god/gods.
It's a great portrait of growing disbelief, accompanied with a developing belief in oneself, or humankind, than gods.
The one thing I don't like about Pratchett's novels is that it always takes me rather long to get into them. I'm never grabbed by the first pages, I need to read at least twenty or so. Then, however, I'm hooked.
"Nation" is not a discworld novel. It's set in an alternate universe on a small island, where the survivors of a giant tidal wave are trying to pick up the pieces. The central figures are a native boy and an English girl, and as they're trying to survive they're also question the things they've always been told - most importantly, the existance of a god/gods.
It's a great portrait of growing disbelief, accompanied with a developing belief in oneself, or humankind, than gods.
The one thing I don't like about Pratchett's novels is that it always takes me rather long to get into them. I'm never grabbed by the first pages, I need to read at least twenty or so. Then, however, I'm hooked.
A great book; best summed up by the following quote from the author:
"Thinking
This book contains some. Whether you try it at home is up to you."
Read it if you're a fan of his Discworld novels and read it if you're not.
"Thinking
This book contains some. Whether you try it at home is up to you."
Read it if you're a fan of his Discworld novels and read it if you're not.
Prose: 8/10 - Simple but effective, it is a book aimed at children but this does not make the prose simple. Typical Pratchett, accessible, quick moving, but not lacking.
Re-readability: 6/10 - Easily readable, and would be again, but not the depth to feel a re-read would gain anything.
Character development: 9/10 - Mau and Daphne are well developed characters and there development through the book leads you to love them.
World building: 7/10 - Great ideas but a lot of unanswered questions around the world in which it is set, “Reunited States”?
Pacing: 8/10 - Quick, easy read. Good movement between action and character development.
Ending: 8/10 - A real ending to a young adult novel is refreshing.
Overall: 8/10 - An excellent Terry Pratchett novel that is an easy read and throughly enjoyable. It doesn’t have the full complexity and themes of a full Discworld novel but has plenty going on.
Re-readability: 6/10 - Easily readable, and would be again, but not the depth to feel a re-read would gain anything.
Character development: 9/10 - Mau and Daphne are well developed characters and there development through the book leads you to love them.
World building: 7/10 - Great ideas but a lot of unanswered questions around the world in which it is set, “Reunited States”?
Pacing: 8/10 - Quick, easy read. Good movement between action and character development.
Ending: 8/10 - A real ending to a young adult novel is refreshing.
Overall: 8/10 - An excellent Terry Pratchett novel that is an easy read and throughly enjoyable. It doesn’t have the full complexity and themes of a full Discworld novel but has plenty going on.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is YA so I won't give it an official review, but man is it top notch stuff. Faith and desert islands. Foul-mouthed parrots and science. It's a little like Swiss Family Robinson, a little like Casablanca, and a little like nothing I've read before. Grand great stuff.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes