Reviews

Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin

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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...

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

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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.

elija_20's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

Content Warnings

hannahslibrary92's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is a deep and insightful one. I found myself getting lost in the pages, because the story was so compelling.
Strictly speaking this is a children's/young adult book (which I had to read for Uni), but I found that it was very engaging and I think adult readers will enjoy it just as much as younger readers.

I enjoyed it a lot.

h2so4's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

jens_bookshelves's review against another edition

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3.0

The first half of this book I would give 2 stars, it was slow and I really struggled to get in to it. If I hadn't had to read this for uni I probably would have given up. However, the second half would get 4 stars, so I spilt the difference. The second half is where the story really gets going and picks up the pace. Really enjoyed the second half.

ggreen's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

duncanhendry's review against another edition

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5.0

This is sensational. Does anyone have a big enough stage and a big enough budget to revive it? Probably only the National again. But please, please, please, do yourself a favour: don't read the blurb. It gives away too much, which is annoying if you do that to find out simple set up about the play (you know what a blurb does). Anyway, this adaptation is a modern masterpiece of what is possible in theatre.

coolfoxe's review against another edition

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3.0

This book was amazing. Just amazing. It was told so vividly and really made the reader cry with all of it's loveable characters. Truly amazing.

kcarina's review

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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