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joevolpe1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tyo's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
spacecadelliot's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Grief, Physical abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, and War
ex_libris_volantes's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly found no fault in this story other than it did not captivate me. For such a short book, I did not imagine it should take me more than a day to read, but the story just did not pull me in, and instead took the course of three partial days.
I do give considerable praise to the author for certain parts, seen through the eyes of the narrator. Being as this book was constructed as somewhat of a storytelling by the narrator of times long past, when dealing with bits that today are problematic (the homophobia, and the general bullying nature of Coach, and the “varsity stock” ended his tutelage), it made sure to preface these bits as of a memory retold with wisdom from the future; that these were clearly not how things should have been allowed to be, but that with the innocence of youth, and the social structure of the time, they were taken as “normal,” back then. It did not make to excuse the behavior, but merely to let the reader (listener as it is a storytelling) know that it is the past, and cannot be changed for as much as the present has taillight us to see things differently. It allowed us to ease past these cringeworthy moments in order to reach an understanding of how truly sad the unfortunate outcomes would be, and how damaging and changing the experience was upon the characters over time.
I cannot praise this as a great novel, but it does have its moments for those who can ease through the darkness for a glimpse of the troubled ways of the past. It made me appreciate not having a happy ending, in order to see in a better light how good it is to have grown up in a society that is learning to reject such behaviors. We have come a long way, and yet have so far yet to go, and I get an understanding of that through the evolution of Arden as a bystander/witness to events.
I do give considerable praise to the author for certain parts, seen through the eyes of the narrator. Being as this book was constructed as somewhat of a storytelling by the narrator of times long past, when dealing with bits that today are problematic (the homophobia, and the general bullying nature of Coach, and the “varsity stock” ended his tutelage), it made sure to preface these bits as of a memory retold with wisdom from the future; that these were clearly not how things should have been allowed to be, but that with the innocence of youth, and the social structure of the time, they were taken as “normal,” back then. It did not make to excuse the behavior, but merely to let the reader (listener as it is a storytelling) know that it is the past, and cannot be changed for as much as the present has taillight us to see things differently. It allowed us to ease past these cringeworthy moments in order to reach an understanding of how truly sad the unfortunate outcomes would be, and how damaging and changing the experience was upon the characters over time.
I cannot praise this as a great novel, but it does have its moments for those who can ease through the darkness for a glimpse of the troubled ways of the past. It made me appreciate not having a happy ending, in order to see in a better light how good it is to have grown up in a society that is learning to reject such behaviors. We have come a long way, and yet have so far yet to go, and I get an understanding of that through the evolution of Arden as a bystander/witness to events.
charkinzie's review
4.0
This book felt like many things to me. The story is one long, campfire tale… or an epic poem of old. It’s beautiful and sad and bears witness to times we shouldn’t be quick to dismiss or forget.
Hopes takes readers on a journey to the world inhabited by young boys just after WWII. The tale is told by Arden, looking back on his youth from his adult life. Perhaps Arden’s reminiscing is colored in some ways by the life he’s lead since his youth, but the memories seem vivid as he begins his tale.
Arden, Vince, and Tilden are inseparable as young men. About the time Arden realizes Vince is his best friend, Glen arrives on the scene. Vince is immediately drawn to Glen in a way that Arden doesn’t really understand. He accepts the new closeness, even when he’s a little envious or feels left out.
The boys come together at Wyona Falls. It’s a location that the town doesn’t speak about really. People have died there, it’s dangerous, but for the boys, it’s a right of passage. The falls are like a secret because bad things can happen there – but that just seems to make it more important that they are found and shared only with close friends.
Vince invites Glen to the falls and when Glen does a reckless handstand on the edge of a cliff high above the falls, Vince feels different for the first time in his life. He sees Glen in danger and can’t put into words the way the emotion whirls dangerously inside him. Arden sees his friend’s discomfort and realizes that there is a bond between Vince and Glen that is unique… even if he’s not equipt to understand it.
As the boys grow older, their relationships ebb and flow. They make misguided choices. They don’t always understand the consequences of their actions. They become young men in a post-WWII world that still has very tight definitions of masculinity.
Hopes’ writing is artful and poetic without ever straying from its intended course.
I’m at a bit of a loss as to how to describe this book. It’s a story about the raw and unbreakable bonds of young friendship, it’s about the love between two boys during a time when it wasn’t accepted at all, it’s about becoming a man, learning to be passionate about things and realizing things aren’t as ideal as we wish they were.
All the characters in this story are on their way to becoming someone different, whether it’s a legend, a tragedy or a man reminiscing about his youth.
This book is full of the heat of almost-forgotten summers, the spark of first love, and the fierceness of friendship. There is misplaced hope, family bonds, promises, and adventure.
Hopes takes readers on a journey to the world inhabited by young boys just after WWII. The tale is told by Arden, looking back on his youth from his adult life. Perhaps Arden’s reminiscing is colored in some ways by the life he’s lead since his youth, but the memories seem vivid as he begins his tale.
Arden, Vince, and Tilden are inseparable as young men. About the time Arden realizes Vince is his best friend, Glen arrives on the scene. Vince is immediately drawn to Glen in a way that Arden doesn’t really understand. He accepts the new closeness, even when he’s a little envious or feels left out.
The boys come together at Wyona Falls. It’s a location that the town doesn’t speak about really. People have died there, it’s dangerous, but for the boys, it’s a right of passage. The falls are like a secret because bad things can happen there – but that just seems to make it more important that they are found and shared only with close friends.
Vince invites Glen to the falls and when Glen does a reckless handstand on the edge of a cliff high above the falls, Vince feels different for the first time in his life. He sees Glen in danger and can’t put into words the way the emotion whirls dangerously inside him. Arden sees his friend’s discomfort and realizes that there is a bond between Vince and Glen that is unique… even if he’s not equipt to understand it.
As the boys grow older, their relationships ebb and flow. They make misguided choices. They don’t always understand the consequences of their actions. They become young men in a post-WWII world that still has very tight definitions of masculinity.
Hopes’ writing is artful and poetic without ever straying from its intended course.
I’m at a bit of a loss as to how to describe this book. It’s a story about the raw and unbreakable bonds of young friendship, it’s about the love between two boys during a time when it wasn’t accepted at all, it’s about becoming a man, learning to be passionate about things and realizing things aren’t as ideal as we wish they were.
All the characters in this story are on their way to becoming someone different, whether it’s a legend, a tragedy or a man reminiscing about his youth.
This book is full of the heat of almost-forgotten summers, the spark of first love, and the fierceness of friendship. There is misplaced hope, family bonds, promises, and adventure.
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