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carolineroche's review
5.0
I had read this book in the past, so this was a re-read. Although I had remembered the storyline vaguely, I had not remembered how brutal it was, how Gothic and dark. It is a brilliant story of a terrible time of inhumanity to unmarried mothers and their babies.
saidahgilbert's review against another edition
3.0
Chockful of historical facts. That's why I liked this book. Not that the story wasn't good as well.
alliebarlow's review against another edition
4.0
Read this is class over a period of months and it's safe to say both my students and I were thoroughly engaged in the plot.
It was nice to see reactions to the twists throughout however, I feel some of the more sensitive subject matter could have been explored deeper.
It was nice to see reactions to the twists throughout however, I feel some of the more sensitive subject matter could have been explored deeper.
hannahnott's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
andremthefoozle's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
So much darkness and harsh realities in a book for younger readers, though all in service of an honest depiction of difficult times and situations.
As the story moved at a good clip, there are places I wish the author could have slowed down and offered us more time with certain characters or circumstances before moving forward, but that is likely part of keeping the length where it is for it's intended demographic.
As the story moved at a good clip, there are places I wish the author could have slowed down and offered us more time with certain characters or circumstances before moving forward, but that is likely part of keeping the length where it is for it's intended demographic.
cityofstarlight_library's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. A lot better than I expected!
Such an emotional, gripping and heart wrenching story. A real page turner with some very complex and fascinating characters. There were some twists and turns that were so great near the end, it made the book even better. It's something I've not read before and I'm pleasantly surprised! Can't say I've read anything set in the 1700's, but considering it was written in like 2000, it made it easier to understand. None of that weird Ye Olde writing that I can't work out.
Such a great and quick read! Although it states that I started reading this ages a go, I read most of it in one sitting. I shall look forward to studying this book for university next month.
Also, I'm not sure if this is truly suitable for children. Maybe like 11 onwards, it was rather dark. It has a lot of mentions of dead babies, children and child abuse which would cause a lot of distress, but it's not entirely detailed. Its just not very nice :(
Such an emotional, gripping and heart wrenching story. A real page turner with some very complex and fascinating characters. There were some twists and turns that were so great near the end, it made the book even better. It's something I've not read before and I'm pleasantly surprised! Can't say I've read anything set in the 1700's, but considering it was written in like 2000, it made it easier to understand. None of that weird Ye Olde writing that I can't work out.
Such a great and quick read! Although it states that I started reading this ages a go, I read most of it in one sitting. I shall look forward to studying this book for university next month.
Also, I'm not sure if this is truly suitable for children. Maybe like 11 onwards, it was rather dark. It has a lot of mentions of dead babies, children and child abuse which would cause a lot of distress, but it's not entirely detailed. Its just not very nice :(
chloeread_s's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
inkstainedthumb's review against another edition
5.0
A truly heartbreaking story of how corrupt and evil the world can be.
justmeandmybooks_'s review against another edition
2.0
Oh my gosh, I'm so glad that's over!! I was so incredibly bored!
The thing is, I don't think this is a bad book exactly, it just SO wasn't my thing.
THE PLOT
Ummm... I actually have no clue what the plot of this even was... Something about music and a bunch of random boys. Basically.
So... the plot was pretty weak. It was *just* compelling enough that I wanted to finish it, but for the most part it was BORING!
Also it was sort of confusing... I'm not quite sure WHAT happened at the end...
THE WRITING
I think Coram Boy was well written, but it was sort of flowery and old fashioned, and wasn't very engaging. It fit the book, for sure, and it did help get the setting right, but... It made the book even more tedious. Bleh.
THE CHARACTERS
Normally, even if a book is weak in the other areas, the characters can save a book for me, and since this wasn't really plot driven, that's what I was expecting. Yeah, no. That didn't happen.
The characters were SO dry. They all had about as much personality as cardboard. Actually no, scratch that, I think cardboard has more personality. I was NOT impressed.
I could never even keep the characters straight, BECAUSE THEY HAD NO PERSONALITY!!!!!!
Also, they all acted way too old. Like, the tweens were passionately in love for the rest of their lives, and the eight year olds acted at least twelve. How about no?
OVER ALL
Bleh! Bleh, bleh, bleh! I think this was a decent book, but it wasn't for me. If this is the style of books you like, I'm sure this is a great book, it's just not the style I enjoy. I wish I'd liked it more than I did, but those characters!!!! Ugh.
The thing is, I don't think this is a bad book exactly, it just SO wasn't my thing.
THE PLOT
Ummm... I actually have no clue what the plot of this even was... Something about music and a bunch of random boys. Basically.
So... the plot was pretty weak. It was *just* compelling enough that I wanted to finish it, but for the most part it was BORING!
Also it was sort of confusing... I'm not quite sure WHAT happened at the end...
Spoiler
I think that it was Toby and Aaron, but like... how exactly did he survive getting thrown into the ocean in the middle of nowhere?! And also how did they get of the ship? And I'm confused!THE WRITING
I think Coram Boy was well written, but it was sort of flowery and old fashioned, and wasn't very engaging. It fit the book, for sure, and it did help get the setting right, but... It made the book even more tedious. Bleh.
THE CHARACTERS
Normally, even if a book is weak in the other areas, the characters can save a book for me, and since this wasn't really plot driven, that's what I was expecting. Yeah, no. That didn't happen.
The characters were SO dry. They all had about as much personality as cardboard. Actually no, scratch that, I think cardboard has more personality. I was NOT impressed.
I could never even keep the characters straight, BECAUSE THEY HAD NO PERSONALITY!!!!!!
Also, they all acted way too old. Like, the tweens were passionately in love for the rest of their lives, and the eight year olds acted at least twelve. How about no?
OVER ALL
Bleh! Bleh, bleh, bleh! I think this was a decent book, but it wasn't for me. If this is the style of books you like, I'm sure this is a great book, it's just not the style I enjoy. I wish I'd liked it more than I did, but those characters!!!! Ugh.
flappermyrtle's review against another edition
3.0
Coram Boy has a strange structure. It is a fairly slow narrative, with sudden bursts of exciting events interspersing it. It's a tragic tale of family and especially the start deals with almost unspeakable horrors that made me wonder how exactly this would be an acceptable read for children. There is a variety of characters, initially portrayed black-and-white, but fortunately allowing for shades of grey later on. It feels scattered at times, but all is neatly tied up in the end, which is satisfactory. The division in two parts works in the book's favour, forcing the reader to figure out events that happened between the finish of part one and the start of part two, bringing a certain aspect of the detective into play.