A few pages into this book, I was ready to put it down. It is told from the perspective of a boy living in a society where everyone can hear one another's thoughts, and the style and slang were overwhelming. And a little obnoxious.
I am so glad I kept reading.
The title completely makes sense with the story. It hints at the kind of language used here. Once I adjusted to the narrator, I found him and his story entirely endearing. Two-dimensional characters became complex, and the truth about the world the boy, Todd, has been raised in, comes slowly to light, along with all the emotional turmoil he experiences because of the lies.
It seems to be getting more difficult to find truthful storytelling: characters are able to make difficult choices easily or pursue impossible ends with ease and with every random element working in their favor. This book is different. Nothing comes easily, and not everything is a success, not even close. The good parts are well earned, and the failures are both anticipated and surprising because they were not the easy way out. Most writers coddle their characters and plots too much. Not this one.
This is the first book of a series, and I am so glad for it.
2 comments:
I loved this book! It was a surprising story, and didn't go quite in the direction that I expected it to take. I'm glad to hear that you liked it, too. And, like you, I almost put it down a few pages in. It was SO difficult to get used to the main character's voice.
I'm glad you liked it, too! It was an adjustment to the language, but I'm happy we both stuck it out, because the book was terrific. :)
I'm excited to read the rest of the series, but I need to catch up on the rest of the challenge first. The deadline is looming...
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