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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Nation is a hard one to review--it's quite different than anything else I've read of Terry Pratchett (and I've read a lot!), and it's one of those rare young adult novels that ask the readers to think about serious topics rather than just telling a silly, fun story. As Pratchett is aging, it really seems like his stories are taking a much more brooding and serious tone, with only hints of his wit and sarcasm throughout.
The characters are all very interesting and complex, especially the two central characters of the story Mau and Daphne (Ermintrude, but it's understandable why she'd change her name when she wound up shipwreaked on an island with no one who knew what her real name was!).
I really enjoyed the depth of this, and since I wasn't expecting it I was happily surprised. I hadn't read a single review for this yet, just bought it based on enjoying everything I've read of Pratchett before so I figured it would be a good bet. This is a story about death, survival, racism, and humanity--a lot for a novel aimed at teenagers, really!
This seems to be one of those books that different readers will take away different ideas about what it was trying to say. There's a lot of things Nation could be telling the reader, and at the core it seems to be about death and acceptance. An excellent read!
The characters are all very interesting and complex, especially the two central characters of the story Mau and Daphne (Ermintrude, but it's understandable why she'd change her name when she wound up shipwreaked on an island with no one who knew what her real name was!).
I really enjoyed the depth of this, and since I wasn't expecting it I was happily surprised. I hadn't read a single review for this yet, just bought it based on enjoying everything I've read of Pratchett before so I figured it would be a good bet. This is a story about death, survival, racism, and humanity--a lot for a novel aimed at teenagers, really!
This seems to be one of those books that different readers will take away different ideas about what it was trying to say. There's a lot of things Nation could be telling the reader, and at the core it seems to be about death and acceptance. An excellent read!
Excellent book for older kids (and adults). An engaging story written by the master of tongue in cheek humor.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
I really enjoyed this take of a nation coming to be. What an interesting perspective this was. I enjoyed the characters, the parallel universe, and the way the story flowed. Really beautiful story.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
I do love a good coming of age story and this one most definitely fits the bill. And even though it took me a few chapters to get in with the ebb and flow of the story, I really enjoyed the characters and their development.
There are so many different themes going on here, that sometimes the story line wobbles a bit. Daphne, who reinvents herself. Mau who grows into himself. But also how we view people different than ourselves, how a nation is built, how we become family and the role of religion in culture. It's a grand undertaking and very well done by the author. And maybe it's my own bit of pessimism that casts a pall of disbelief over the archeological future of Mau's island.
There are so many different themes going on here, that sometimes the story line wobbles a bit. Daphne, who reinvents herself. Mau who grows into himself. But also how we view people different than ourselves, how a nation is built, how we become family and the role of religion in culture. It's a grand undertaking and very well done by the author. And maybe it's my own bit of pessimism that casts a pall of disbelief over the archeological future of Mau's island.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was not my fave Pratchett, nor my fave audio recording. Still, an enjoyable listen.