Reviews

Begin Again by Oliver Jeffers

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erinosbourn's review

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4.0

Beautiful and hopeful for a better future!

therealbel's review

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4.0

A beautiful, simple look at a huge topic. Loved it, love Oliver Jeffers’ work as a whole. This didn’t disappoint.

hicarli's review against another edition

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hopeful fast-paced

4.5

I really like everything I've read by Oliver Jeffers. I think he has something incredibly important to say to us all in this particular moment we find ourselves in. Begin Again is Jeffers first picture book for adults and it includes a brilliant essay at the end about Jeffers impulse for writing the book, his life growing up amidst the conflict in Northern Ireland, and his desire to tell a better story for humanity beyond the ones that divide us. The art is also lovely.

aprilinpieces's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

Very similar in vein to Here We Are, but every time I read Oliver Jeffers I take a deep exhale. I wish I could get a new book every week to just get a good whooooooosh out.

cpoole's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

I adore Oliver Jeffers’ picture books for children so I jumped on this adult project, which is essentially just like his children’s books. The best part about the book is the essay at the end (which is what actual makes this a work for adults) about human connection which Jeffers urges us to use to come together to overcome racism, climate change and overall hate. I liked the message and the images were lovely but found it a bit lacking.

meredith_w's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

4.0

Thoughtful and reflective. I really liked the essay at the end of the book, particularly the reflections regarding the purpose of art in our lives.

"Art's purpose is to imperceptibly shift the ground under people's feet. Science, technology, engineering and maths are how we do things. Art is why we do them."

As an engineer who focuses mostly on design work, I've always considered art and creativity as a critical part of my work. I don't think of engineering and art as separate activities - I'm sure some scientists, technologists and mathematicians would feel the same way. I'm not saying I disagree with Jeffers's comment, but I will be mulling it over for the next while.