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caitlinreeves's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
emma_beth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ineffablebooks's review against another edition
5.0
David Malouf manages to fit so much detail into just one page, or even a paragraph, that you come out of this novella thinking you've just read a 300 page book. Therefore, within the first 20 pages you already have a favorite character and are waiting anxiously for them to reappear later in the book.
Brilliantly written - I went into this book thinking I knew what was going to happen, but was pleasantly surprised by the end of it.
I'm not into sad books, especially war-time stories, but it was a book we are analyzing for uni, so I had little choice. But what sets this books apart from other war-time/cry-your-eyes-out stories, is the way it describes nature, the birds and somehow manages to pick out every detail and capture every emotion.
(and its not all that sad, which was great.)
Definitely an inspirational book: Read if convenient. If inconvenient, read anyway.
Brilliantly written - I went into this book thinking I knew what was going to happen, but was pleasantly surprised by the end of it.
I'm not into sad books, especially war-time stories, but it was a book we are analyzing for uni, so I had little choice. But what sets this books apart from other war-time/cry-your-eyes-out stories, is the way it describes nature, the birds and somehow manages to pick out every detail and capture every emotion.
(and its not all that sad, which was great.)
Definitely an inspirational book: Read if convenient. If inconvenient, read anyway.
pattydsf's review against another edition
2.0
I read this while my mom and I were in Israel and totally forgot all about it. It was a quick read - not too depressing - although it was about WW II. Not sorry that I read it, but not much left about it in my memory.
jungkookae's review against another edition
1.0
fly away peter is definitely a book that i probably wouldn't normally gravitate towards if i were in a library or a bookshop (i had to read it 4 skool). whilst reading this i kept telling myself that the style of writing was "too descriptive" although some people could say that it's poetically written. there are some parts of the book that were a total bore to read and slightly confusing too. the parts about the war were very insightful as to what it would actually feel like to be in the war and it was nice to see/read(?) that these parts were not so romanticized as most war books are. overall it was an okay book. i probably won't reread it in the future.
damnitandy's review against another edition
4.0
This book can feel a little aimless sometimes, as the characters don't have much personality and there is little to no plot, but I find that to be common in books of this length, and I love it all the same.
The poetic style of writing is gorgeous and really makes me feel as if I'm there. Honestly, David Malouf is a fantastic writer. And, I'm always a fan of fruity undertones in literature, of which there was plenty between Jim and almost every male character, especially Ashley. The ending of the book is haunting, and yet oddly calming in a way.
The poetic style of writing is gorgeous and really makes me feel as if I'm there. Honestly, David Malouf is a fantastic writer. And, I'm always a fan of fruity undertones in literature, of which there was plenty between Jim and almost every male character, especially Ashley. The ending of the book is haunting, and yet oddly calming in a way.
bunnie225's review against another edition
5.0
There are no words to express how beautiful this book is. It's worth reading a hundred times over and you feel differently about it every time.
jetpackdolphin's review against another edition
4.0
Fly Away Peter is the story of Jim Saddler, an avid birdwatcher living in Queensland in the early 1900s. When the war arrives in 1914, he enlists, and, travelling to France, becomes a bitter soldier fighting a losing war, while musing on the meaning of life. And that's about all that happens.
The first time I read this book, I didn't like it very much. I thought it was boring, slow-paced, with too many descriptions of birds and a rather tame description of the battlefield.
But then we had to analyse this book for my english class this year, and I can now say with total honesty, that I still do not like it very much.
But I can respect it now, and definitely respect Malouf as a writer. The whole of Fly Away Peter is crafted to perfection: not a single sentence goes by without subtle foreshadowing or a clever metaphor. The overarching theme of this novel is Jim's journey from innocence to darkness, and Malouf uses every opportunity to insert a metaphor, a simile, or a piece of symbolism that only becomes apparent on a second reading.
For those reasons, I have to say that I did not enjoy Fly Away Peter as I would usually enjoy a novel, but I can certainly admire it for its fine craftsmanship, its attention to detail, and for the fantastic, subtle way in which Malouf chronicles one man's descent from innocence into darkness.
The first time I read this book, I didn't like it very much. I thought it was boring, slow-paced, with too many descriptions of birds and a rather tame description of the battlefield.
But then we had to analyse this book for my english class this year, and I can now say with total honesty, that I still do not like it very much.
But I can respect it now, and definitely respect Malouf as a writer. The whole of Fly Away Peter is crafted to perfection: not a single sentence goes by without subtle foreshadowing or a clever metaphor. The overarching theme of this novel is Jim's journey from innocence to darkness, and Malouf uses every opportunity to insert a metaphor, a simile, or a piece of symbolism that only becomes apparent on a second reading.
For those reasons, I have to say that I did not enjoy Fly Away Peter as I would usually enjoy a novel, but I can certainly admire it for its fine craftsmanship, its attention to detail, and for the fantastic, subtle way in which Malouf chronicles one man's descent from innocence into darkness.
frank_patrol's review against another edition
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
If you like books with a lot of description, this is your book
bundy23's review against another edition
2.0
Decent opening that didn't mesh with the dreamy ending at all. Malouf is now batting 0/3 with me.