I finished "On the Jellicoe Road" a few days ago, and the second half (thankfully) was much better. Then I thought about my earlier comments - had I started reading it at the wrong time, and therefore wasn't concentrating properly? (I read the first 30 pages while waiting to go in for a small operation, but I don't think the anaesthetic was the problem.)
So I went back and re-read the first few pages again, and decided it was a bit of both. No, I hadn't really been giving the book 100%, but I also felt the author could have made it so much clearer what was going on. For those of you contemplating reading this book, here are some useful clues:
1. The parts in italics are not the main character dreaming or talking or writing something. They are actually a novel written by another character about things that happened 22 years ago. I'm not spoiling the story by telling you this - I'm ensuring that you don't get totally confused.
2. The main character is in a boarding school for kids no one wants. One of the school girls is from the nearby town. Nobody else in the school is.
3. The whole basis of the action in the story is this kind of wargame between the boarding school kids, the town kids and another bunch of boys on cadet camp. Why 18-year-olds would be playing the kind of game that 12-year-olds get off on was a bit beyond me. That's my main "credibility gripe".
4. The main character, even though she seems to be the "dead loss/hopeless case" of the school, is somehow made the head honcho of all the kids (by vote). Another credibility issue.
I have no doubt that lots of readers will disagree with me on this book, but I really don't see what is the point of not making simple things clear to the reader.
Enough grumping and groaning. I've just finished last year's Newbery Award winner, "Kira-Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata, and totally enjoyed the voice and character of Katie. The story is mostly set in Georgia in the 1950s, and Katie is the younger daughter in a Japanese family. Mum and Dad work in the chicken factories, saving for a house, and the older girl, Lynnie, is Katie's idol. The voice is terrific - naive but genuine - and Katie's journey to understanding how to survive in a difficult world is gentle but profound. Good example of 'less is more' - very little overwriting (if any).
Marking? About 60% achieved so far. 30 short stories to go. It's a little like being a magazine editor, only instead of rejections or acceptances, I have to give feedback on what I think is or is not working. The kind of thing we secretly wish all editors would do for our submissions.
In the last class, I gave the students something I had written about getting published, what it means to write or just call yourself a writer (there's a big difference), how to improve, how to survive after you give up the support of classes and constant, immediate feedback, what perseverance really means - all that stuff. I might put it up on my website, if I can work out how to create my circles diagram in Word.
And in response to someone in the newspaper recently who criticised the use of the word "stuff" - it's a very handy word, useful in all situations. A bit like "thingy" - right, Sue?
8 comments:
I love the word "stuff". One of those great utility words.
-VR
the author did not make the book clearer because the book is suposed to give the reader something to contemplate on and for the reader to Imagine what will hapen and whats going.
it is also a good idea if you read the book for a second time ( like i did ) you start to understand alot more about what is going on and you can also pick up on some vital "clues" you may have missed.
YOU ARE WEIRD. IT IS THE BEST BOOK IVE EVER READ. THAT AND TWILIGHT & NEW MOON BY STEPHENIE MEYER. WHAT YOU HAVE SAID DOES RUIN THE BOOK. IT GIVES IT AWAY ABOUT HANNAH AND THAT!
That's the joy of reading - what one person dislikes, someone else will love! Books are such subjective experiences. I love Pulman's Dark Materials trilogy, but a friend of mine says it's nothing special. What?!!
If we all liked the same books, it'd be a boring old world, I guess.
i think that even tho when u read on the jellioe road for the frst time, it is a little confusing but by the end everthing makes sense. i was still al little confused tho so went back and read it again. it cleared some things up. but the book was really good! i reckon it was better than u described.
okay, i am sorry but his review (if you can even call it that) is totally stupid.
i mean, the book is meant to be confusing, how boring would it be if Marchetta had to explain every single little detail. you try and write it any better.
on the jellicoe road is my absolute favourite book in the whole wide world, and pulling it to pieces like this is totally unfair.
give a book a break.
its fucking amazing, but i suppose the reviewer is too stupid to grasp the utter brilliance of the plot.
oh well.
I don't really write reviews - this is my opinion. It's great that you love the book enough to voice your disagreement!
Try reading "Cold Mountain" one day and then find someone who feels the opposite to you about it - you will have a wonderful argument.
oh, come on - on the jellicoe road might be a great book, the most fantabulous book YOU'VE ever read, but the author of the review [sherryl] is just voicing HER opinion.
and the above article IS a review 'cause a review is a critical look at something, and in this case, a book. and it's not a stupid one, i actually seem to think it's quite informative. because if the beginning of the book is confusing, then it might put off readers.
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