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grilledcheesus's review against another edition
4.0
i loved this book so much, even if i went in expecting a coraline-esque story and had to drastically adjust my expectations lolol. such a beautiful examination of grief and stress as well as a really, really (almost painfully) accurate depiction of what it’s like to grow up as a child on the autism spectrum, the isolation and the feeling of otherness. this book has carved out such a special little place in my heart
knittyreader's review against another edition
3.0
'The Other Mother' tells the story of Michael, a boy with a lot on his plate, and how he views his mother in a different light and makes friends along the way.
The story in itself is exactly what I wanted when I requested this book. It is a raw and in a way beautiful coming of age-story. I do find that the writing style kept me from truly loving it though. While the short, child-like sentences fit a child, they distracted me from how raw and harsh Michael's life could be. I also think that in understanding and comprehension with words there is quite a difference between f.i. a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old, and with the shortness and simplicity of the text itself I regularly had to remind myself that I was reading Michael's story, and not f.i. his younger siblings' story.
I also found some parts lagging a bit, like the whole chapter about fishing at the start. Especially for someone who is not into fishing per sé, it was a chapter that made the story take too long to get going. On the other hand I do realise it did provide some useful information about Michael's life.
All in all I am struggling. I did like this book, I love reading stories like this, but I did not love this book. So it's somewhere in between: a 'good, but not amazing' three stars.
The story in itself is exactly what I wanted when I requested this book. It is a raw and in a way beautiful coming of age-story. I do find that the writing style kept me from truly loving it though. While the short, child-like sentences fit a child, they distracted me from how raw and harsh Michael's life could be. I also think that in understanding and comprehension with words there is quite a difference between f.i. a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old, and with the shortness and simplicity of the text itself I regularly had to remind myself that I was reading Michael's story, and not f.i. his younger siblings' story.
I also found some parts lagging a bit, like the whole chapter about fishing at the start. Especially for someone who is not into fishing per sé, it was a chapter that made the story take too long to get going. On the other hand I do realise it did provide some useful information about Michael's life.
All in all I am struggling. I did like this book, I love reading stories like this, but I did not love this book. So it's somewhere in between: a 'good, but not amazing' three stars.
greenmachine31's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this book. Well developed plot. Had me hooked all the way through.
jennthelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Not an easy book to read, but certainly worthwhile.
Story takes place over two days in the life of Michael, a 14 year old middle school student with ADD, who believes that his mother is not his mother anymore- that she has been replaced by The Other Mother.
But Michael is also carrying a secret.
Full of tough passages and beautiful moments where you are cheering on Michael, this book will make you hate the mean teachers you had as a child and wish for times when we can tell each other our secrets.
Story takes place over two days in the life of Michael, a 14 year old middle school student with ADD, who believes that his mother is not his mother anymore- that she has been replaced by The Other Mother.
But Michael is also carrying a secret.
Full of tough passages and beautiful moments where you are cheering on Michael, this book will make you hate the mean teachers you had as a child and wish for times when we can tell each other our secrets.
machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
Read this in a few hours. Second book I've read recently where young boys have lost their father and end up learning things about themselves and their families.
rachelannak's review against another edition
3.0
This one was really interesting and felt a little all over the place. I really enjoyed the perspective of the main character when he talked about his experience in school and self regulation. I enjoyed the friendship he developed with Sarah as the story took place. I was super intrigued by him not recognizing his mom and how it all resolved felt very anticlimactic.
hmonkeyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Matthew Dicks never disappoints.
I found this book both sweet and almost unbearably stressful. It transports you right into the brain of an anxious and possibly (probably?) depressed fourteen year old boy carrying secrets that push him nearly to the breaking point over two days of his life.
I follow the author on social media and have heard him tell many live stories via The Moth and I feel like a lot of familiar things about him come through in this story too. It felt very him.
I found this book both sweet and almost unbearably stressful. It transports you right into the brain of an anxious and possibly (probably?) depressed fourteen year old boy carrying secrets that push him nearly to the breaking point over two days of his life.
I follow the author on social media and have heard him tell many live stories via The Moth and I feel like a lot of familiar things about him come through in this story too. It felt very him.
debi_g's review against another edition
“Telling a secret is like changing the world forever.”
What an original, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story!
scorttarius's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75