Reviews

The House by J. Patrick Lewis, Roberto Innocenti

cimorene1558's review against another edition

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4.0

Very beautiful and moving.

mat_tobin's review against another edition

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5.0

Having collaborated on [b:The Last Resort|630858|The Last Resort|Roberto Innocenti|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347606179l/630858._SX50_.jpg|1608452], Lewis and Innocenti return to recount the life of a farmhouse in Italy. From its creation, up to the modern day, we watch as it and its closely surrounding landscape houses families and refugees through bountiful times and times of war.

The position and framing never changes but the landscape and its people do and this is where the story comes in. It is for the close reader to explore these meticulously crafted pages and consider the people, their stories and the impact they have had on the world. Short, poetic narratives precede each moment in time. It's a beautiful, historical weaving of people and place through history and the impressions they leave upon the land.

yetilibrary's review against another edition

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4.0

The illustrations are phenomenal. The text is not equal to them, not even close, but is serviceable. The bare bones of the story--an old house rediscovered, rebuilt, reinhabited--leave room for the illustrations to work magic, and readers can find (and create) their own stories through them. There's a lot here that is relatable, too. If you're looking for the opportunity, this book can be a good jumping-off point to talk about anything from wheat harvests to tough subjects like war, poverty, refugees, and death. Or you can just make up stories about what the family cats get up to through the years! It's really up to you.

books_plan_create's review against another edition

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3.0

Beautiful artwork

sarajesus95's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

ander's review against another edition

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emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

perdiana's review against another edition

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5.0

Le pietre sono parole. Ogni elemento del paesaggio, ogni pietra di un edificio sono testimoni silenti di generazioni, di cambiamenti climatici e di rivoluzioni sociali.
In questo libro, è la Casa a narrare le sue occulte memorie; noi lettori, attraverso le parole onniscienti e le illustrazioni del grande maestro del dettaglio, Roberto Innocenti, le riesumiamo una ad una. Come i fili intrecciati di un tessuto, districhiamo e connettiamo eventi e volti. 

La lettura comincia dal 1900, con un rudere del 1656 avvolto nella boscaglia, nella contemplazione della natura.
Il paesaggio via via, negli anni, si fa più umanizzato: la creazione di un pozzo, la coltivazioni di terrazze di vigneti, gli alberi da legna, gli orti. Si popola una valle, si sanciscono matrimoni, si preparano nascite e funerali. E poi ancora, l'arrivo delle Grandi Guerre, l'abbandono delle campagne, il boom economico degli anni ‘50, le auto, i Beatles, le bombe e i fiori. Tutto questo in una nascita, decadenza continua di stagioni e anni. 

“Casa del Tempo” vuole essere un romanzo di storia del ‘900, una saga familiare e una rappresentazione poetica di una casa e del suo ambiente circostante. Una lettura che impegna la nostra memoria e ci fa porre domande su cosa siamo noi oggi, dai resti di ieri.
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