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bwreads's review
3.0
http://thebrightobvious.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-review-of-map-of-known-world-by.html
erineloise's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book had a good premise and some nice sections, but it mostly fell flat for me. It is YA so maybe if I’d read it as a teenager, I would have liked it more.
The characters felt very one dimensional, the writing was clunky at times, and the dialogue was particularly bad. Also, I realised towards the end of the book that the main character is a freshman in high school (14) and the love interest is a senior (17/18) which just felt extremely icky.
I read it because it has been compared to I’ll Give You The Sun, which is my favourite book, but this didn’t live up to that standard at all.
The characters felt very one dimensional, the writing was clunky at times, and the dialogue was particularly bad. Also, I realised towards the end of the book that the main character is a freshman in high school (14) and the love interest is a senior (17/18) which just felt extremely icky.
I read it because it has been compared to I’ll Give You The Sun, which is my favourite book, but this didn’t live up to that standard at all.
amynbell's review
4.0
I was looking for a fluffy YA read when I picked this book up, but fluffy it is not. In fact, it is one of the rawest books I've read in a long time. Reading it was like reopening a long-closed wound. Oh, teenage years, how I do not miss you very much at all.
This book was like stepping back into my 8th grade year:
Feeling out of place in my hometown? Check.
Not belonging to any particular clique? Check.
Argument with best friend because of a boy at the homecoming dance? Check.
Best friend ditches me because I'm not cool enough? Check.
Locking myself in my bedroom for creative endeavors? Check.
Loosing myself in my creativity? Check.
However, Cora, the main character in the story, has something to deal with that I never did: her brother was killed in a car accident and the last words she said to him as he drove away were hateful ones. This is the story of the way Cora and her family slowly heal from the pain of his death.
At the beginning of the story Cora thinks, "Somewhere else, life has to be beautiful and vivid and rich. Not like this muted palette -- a pale blue bedroom, washed out sunny sky, dull green yellow brown of the fields. Here, I know every twist of every road, every blade of grass, every face in this town, and I am suffocating." Cora decides that she'll paint a pictorial map of the beautiful, vivid, and rich world that she remembers from before -- every twist of road, blade of grass, etc. The author's passion for art shines through on every page through Cora who finds herself, learns about her brother, falls in love, finds forgiveness, finds hope, and finds a vivid world again through art.
This is the type of book you sit down and read in one sitting, not because you want to find out what happens next but because it is true, raw, and leaves your heart hanging by a string through to the end.
Note: While I critique both purchased and free books in the same way, I'm legally obligated to tell you I received this book free through the Amazon Vine program in return for my review. Blah blah blah.
This book was like stepping back into my 8th grade year:
Feeling out of place in my hometown? Check.
Not belonging to any particular clique? Check.
Argument with best friend because of a boy at the homecoming dance? Check.
Best friend ditches me because I'm not cool enough? Check.
Locking myself in my bedroom for creative endeavors? Check.
Loosing myself in my creativity? Check.
However, Cora, the main character in the story, has something to deal with that I never did: her brother was killed in a car accident and the last words she said to him as he drove away were hateful ones. This is the story of the way Cora and her family slowly heal from the pain of his death.
At the beginning of the story Cora thinks, "Somewhere else, life has to be beautiful and vivid and rich. Not like this muted palette -- a pale blue bedroom, washed out sunny sky, dull green yellow brown of the fields. Here, I know every twist of every road, every blade of grass, every face in this town, and I am suffocating." Cora decides that she'll paint a pictorial map of the beautiful, vivid, and rich world that she remembers from before -- every twist of road, blade of grass, etc. The author's passion for art shines through on every page through Cora who finds herself, learns about her brother, falls in love, finds forgiveness, finds hope, and finds a vivid world again through art.
This is the type of book you sit down and read in one sitting, not because you want to find out what happens next but because it is true, raw, and leaves your heart hanging by a string through to the end.
Note: While I critique both purchased and free books in the same way, I'm legally obligated to tell you I received this book free through the Amazon Vine program in return for my review. Blah blah blah.
stenaros's review
3.0
Rather unfortunate that I should chose to read this novel right after Please Ignore Vera Dietz, which also features a death of a loved one and the aftermath. This provoked too much comparison/contrast between the two novels and left this one a bit wanting. I do enjoy when the arts have the power to heal. The romance was well developed, though I was a bit iffy about their age difference. Also, there were points in the book when I wondered why her parents didn't just call the main character on her cell phone. So it was clunky in places, but overall a good read.
jlpxoxo's review
4.0
I kind of expected it to be a little more emotional. Still, it was good and I'd recommend it, especially for those with an appreciation for art and it's healing capabilities.
lesliedianeg's review against another edition
3.0
Coming of age novel, brothers death, family falling apart, upcoming artist.. good/interesting. Not the best written quality.
tarsia_kim's review
5.0
The kind of you'd wanna read if you are into art. This book can work in two ways if you read it just after losing a loved one: it can either heal you or break you.
bkwrm127's review
3.0
Another teen dealing with death book. The story was interesting, but some of the characterizations just didn't ring true. I couldn't lose myself in the story. I was too aware of the author's voice. But I loved the cover!
rosie_one's review
4.0
I think I might be a little bit too old to fully relate to the characters in this book. Overall, it is very well-written. It was fairly obvious where the story was heading most of the time, but it still kept me interested. If I was a 9th grade girl, I would love this book. I admit I cried while reading though!