Reviews

Calvin by Martine Leavitt

k_paul's review

3.0

This was the next book on the list for the ones we are reading in class. I was cutting it a bit close with this one since we go over it tomorrow, but I knew it would be a quick read and I wanted it fresh in my mind for the discussion.

I think this would be a great book to teach within a school. The comic Calvin and Hobbes is very well known and I believe this spin on it would be well received. It also portrays schizophrenia in a different way than the media usually does. The symptoms are all listed but in a way that a student would understand. It is also done in a way that makes more sense than the textbook definition.

Warnings: drugs (medication), sex (kissing), R&R (schizophrenia - hallucinations/delusions, mental illness is not a disease, death of a stuffed animal, bashing of public school system/curriculum, teenagers, therapy. mention of suicide risk, stories of sea/lake monsters and ghost stories, slight sexism, uneven distribution of resources war is moronic), violence (bullying/harassment)

heregrim's review

5.0

Not only does it include a main character with a disability, it also provides constant (in context) references to Calvin and Hobbes the comic. Loved the story on top of that. Well done!

rdyourbookcase's review

4.0

I suppose this is an outdoorsy book - one I wouldn’t normally gravitate towards. However, when I picked it up, all I knew was that it was related to Calvin and Hobbes. The story moves quickly, and begins with Calvin needing medical attention in class. From there, the reader learns more about Calvin’s health situation and what he thinks is real. I love how readers were kept wondering about Susie, and how her character understood Calvin so well. Also, the ending was perfect. It didn’t disappoint, but it was realistic and it stays true to Calvin’s character. Overall, Calvin was short and charming, perfect for reluctant readers.

mslauraolivia's review

3.0

As someone who grew up reading Calvin & Hobbes, and I own three collections, I was so interested in the premise of this book. I suppose I didn't read the blurb well enough because I was a little disappointed. This book is written in an odd style, almost like a journal entry, versus actual dialogue. Once I got past the formatting, I enjoyed the story, but it did not end the way I expected.

kalequeentv's review

5.0

I can't pinpoint exactly why, but this book made sob. Trying to identify what is real and what is not as your storyteller navigates delusion is wild. I really like this one.

channywax's review

I read this earlier this year and never added it to Goodreads. Beautiful writing. Beautiful book. I was surprised at how short this book was. Quick read, but the story and main character pulled me in and I couldn't put it down. I need to check out Keturah and Lord Death now.

mrninjaviking's review

4.0

This turned out to be much better than I thought it would be. I don't think you need to be a fan of Calvin & Hobbes to get something out of it. It may help to understand the references and added depth. Still a touching, humorous story.

sidneyellwood's review

2.0

Interesting. I'm not a fan of Calvin and Hobbes so I didn't really get it much, and the writing style wasn't my thing.

nssutton's review

3.0

Above all else, this book is a love letter to Bill Watterson and the gift he gave us -- Calvin and Hobbes. But it is also a book about schizophrenia and mental health and reality and how trekking across a frozen lake is a terrible idea, no matter the company you keep during the walk. Susie is a little too manic pixie dream girl for me to love the book, but I did love the discussion about C&H and how important it's legacy is to those of us who love it (even as I spent a quarter of time flabbergasted it was published at all with C&H serving as so much of the story's backbone).

amberacks12's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

This book was cute, interesting. But it didn’t have a huge impact on me. It felt a little half formed and unfinished, and I didn’t learn as much about schizophrenia as I was hoping to going into it. But I liked the concept and the dialogue and Calvin and Hobbes references were fun. 
Excuse me while I go read the comics now. 

Enjoyment: 3 stars
Education: 3 stars
Emotional impact: 3 stars