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a_wren_that_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
zahrowl's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I first read this book when I was much younger, back in primary school, and every now and then I still pick it up to appreciate the charming writing and interesting storytelling. While it may seem to be targeted towards older children, I would argue that it is a book for all ages to enjoy a whimsical and emotional story of love and family.
Structure and Writing Style
The Underneath has a very distinct structure and style to it. The story is told in short chapters, shifting in a variety of perspectives throughout as you follow various characters through different times. The story isn't told in an entirely linear timeline, with several characters having flashbacks to how they got into their situations. It makes for a fun time figuring out the history and relations between them.
There are two main groups of characters and stories: the Mama cat and her family living under Gar Face's house, and the history of Grandmother Moccasin and her family. Their stories diverge and come together at a few points before finally merging in the end. All the while, the trees -- characters of their own -- watch over them and offer their own insights.
Appelt's writing style in this story is whimsical and highly descriptive. Each creature and tree and landscape in the bayou is acknowledged by name and described with such vivid detail. Literary devices like listing are used to emphasise the scale and biodiversity of the bayou. Repetition and metaphors emphasise the characters' emotions and turmoil.
Overall I highly enjoy the slow-paced, whimsical style of The Underneath, and if this style interests you, I do recommend reading it.
Themes
The Underneath is all about family, love and the price we pay for them. Everyone in the story wishes for a sense of belonging, a place to call home. Love is tested, challenged, sworn against and rekindled as the characters grapple with their dangerous or hateful situations.
Characters
Personally, I find the characters very engaging. Each character has their own desires that occasionally shifts throughout the book. They are flawed, yes, but they learn from the consequences of those flaws and emerge stronger from it.
Magic and Anthropomorphism
Most of the characters in The Underneath are animals, some of which are magical. I really enjoyed this aspect of fantasy within the book, almost magical realism in a sense. The trees as characters provide rather interesting insight into the lives of the protagonists as well as the bayou itself, serving as a bridge of sorts between the past and present.
The magical creatures in the book seamlessly blend together with the existing ones. The rules that bind these creatures to their forms make for an interesting and heart-wrenching conflict between these creatures and their families. It's a rather refreshing take on them, I feel.
Conclusion
I really adore this book for its unique style, interesting world building and characters and emotional themes. It's a perfect book to leisurely read every night. Some might find it a bit too slow or strange, but that's all based on preference. So if you liked the features that I've talked about, consider reading this book.
Structure and Writing Style
The Underneath has a very distinct structure and style to it. The story is told in short chapters, shifting in a variety of perspectives throughout as you follow various characters through different times. The story isn't told in an entirely linear timeline, with several characters having flashbacks to how they got into their situations. It makes for a fun time figuring out the history and relations between them.
There are two main groups of characters and stories: the Mama cat and her family living under Gar Face's house, and the history of Grandmother Moccasin and her family. Their stories diverge and come together at a few points before finally merging in the end. All the while, the trees -- characters of their own -- watch over them and offer their own insights.
Appelt's writing style in this story is whimsical and highly descriptive. Each creature and tree and landscape in the bayou is acknowledged by name and described with such vivid detail. Literary devices like listing are used to emphasise the scale and biodiversity of the bayou. Repetition and metaphors emphasise the characters' emotions and turmoil.
Overall I highly enjoy the slow-paced, whimsical style of The Underneath, and if this style interests you, I do recommend reading it.
Themes
The Underneath is all about family, love and the price we pay for them. Everyone in the story wishes for a sense of belonging, a place to call home. Love is tested, challenged, sworn against and rekindled as the characters grapple with their dangerous or hateful situations.
Characters
Personally, I find the characters very engaging. Each character has their own desires that occasionally shifts throughout the book. They are flawed, yes, but they learn from the consequences of those flaws and emerge stronger from it.
Magic and Anthropomorphism
Most of the characters in The Underneath are animals, some of which are magical. I really enjoyed this aspect of fantasy within the book, almost magical realism in a sense. The trees as characters provide rather interesting insight into the lives of the protagonists as well as the bayou itself, serving as a bridge of sorts between the past and present.
The magical creatures in the book seamlessly blend together with the existing ones. The rules that bind these creatures to their forms make for an interesting and heart-wrenching conflict between these creatures and their families. It's a rather refreshing take on them, I feel.
Conclusion
I really adore this book for its unique style, interesting world building and characters and emotional themes. It's a perfect book to leisurely read every night. Some might find it a bit too slow or strange, but that's all based on preference. So if you liked the features that I've talked about, consider reading this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Pregnancy
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