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applegnreads's review against another edition
4.0
Written in Colfer's wry style, this one leaves lots unsaid about privilege but it walks right up to it and shows it to you. Leaves lots of open room for discussion. It is also funny and sad.
theglossreview's review
3.0
Alright. I only read it because I enjoy Eoin’s other novels.
It would have been far more enjoyable if it wasn’t centered on fishery, yuck. The theme of gender roles and expectations was not handled well, seems outdated, contradictory, counterproductive and conservative. Why does the book keep questioning Babe’s gender identity and non-conformity, without letting her speak clearly and forthrightly on the issue?
The main character, Benny, is the typical self-absorbed wimpy kid. Babe doesn’t even feel like a main character. The best character in the story is the villain, named Furty.
Would have gotten 2 stars, but the wit, whimsy Irish-ness and great final chapters made it a 3-star-read.
It would have been far more enjoyable if it wasn’t centered on fishery, yuck. The theme of gender roles and expectations was not handled well, seems outdated, contradictory, counterproductive and conservative. Why does the book keep questioning Babe’s gender identity and non-conformity, without letting her speak clearly and forthrightly on the issue?
The main character, Benny, is the typical self-absorbed wimpy kid. Babe doesn’t even feel like a main character. The best character in the story is the villain, named Furty.
Would have gotten 2 stars, but the wit, whimsy Irish-ness and great final chapters made it a 3-star-read.
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
3.0
It's....pretty dang obvious that this is one of Colfer's first works. Not BAD, but just barely adequate for publishing. Honestly, I'm surprised this one got an audiobook recording at all. It's just...very mediocre.
While there's something to be said about Colfer's look at a country I've never seen referenced in literature (except...Colfer's own, in the second Artemis Fowl book....), there are a few points where things feel a bit wrong. I was shocked when the mother of the family referred to Tunisa as "some uncivilized pit, with diseased water and mosquitoes and foreigners," going on to claim that "the only culture they have belonged to the Romans." This is very early in the book, but we never really get a refutation of these pretty prejudice words. In fact, adoption of European culture is a pretty big plot point, with Omar only able to communicate with Benny using television quotes. (And how...would he understand what those quotes meant? No clue.)
Still, Benny is shown as a very open-minded character, doing his best to balance demands from his family and the struggles of Omar. And, when the big test comes, Benny opts to ruin his own chances at an easy life at home so that Omar might have a far, far better improvement in his own life.
Colfer's writing returns repeatedly to Tunisia, where he did missionary work in his younger days, and he is likely to write about it again. Hopefully with a bit more interesting plots and a fewer prejudice statements from prominent characters.
While there's something to be said about Colfer's look at a country I've never seen referenced in literature (except...Colfer's own, in the second Artemis Fowl book....), there are a few points where things feel a bit wrong. I was shocked when the mother of the family referred to Tunisa as "some uncivilized pit, with diseased water and mosquitoes and foreigners," going on to claim that "the only culture they have belonged to the Romans." This is very early in the book, but we never really get a refutation of these pretty prejudice words. In fact, adoption of European culture is a pretty big plot point, with Omar only able to communicate with Benny using television quotes. (And how...would he understand what those quotes meant? No clue.)
Still, Benny is shown as a very open-minded character, doing his best to balance demands from his family and the struggles of Omar. And, when the big test comes, Benny opts to ruin his own chances at an easy life at home so that Omar might have a far, far better improvement in his own life.
Colfer's writing returns repeatedly to Tunisia, where he did missionary work in his younger days, and he is likely to write about it again. Hopefully with a bit more interesting plots and a fewer prejudice statements from prominent characters.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
This book MUST be listened to, not just read. The reader has the best Irish brogue and the story is just hilarious. I had moments of helpless laughter while driving to work. It doesn't get any better than that.
Benny's family is moved to Tunisia when his father's company downsizes and their adjustment is not at all smooth. Benny is always looking to cause trouble and when he meets Omar they fall right into step. Benny makes the transition from self-absorbed youngster to someone who is willing to sacrifice for friends and family right before our eyes.
Benny's family is moved to Tunisia when his father's company downsizes and their adjustment is not at all smooth. Benny is always looking to cause trouble and when he meets Omar they fall right into step. Benny makes the transition from self-absorbed youngster to someone who is willing to sacrifice for friends and family right before our eyes.
genderqueer_hiker's review against another edition
2.0
I understand that this book is supposed to be told from the perspective of a 11 or 12 year old Irish boy, but the blatant racism and islamophobia was a major to tractor from the story trying to be told. And while perhaps our main character is supposed to learn something over the course of this book, it felt like it used non-white people as lessons for the white boy.
squishies's review against another edition
4.0
It was amusing, slightly unpredictable, and the characters fairly pop out at you.^^^^I absolutely love how Colfer only used typically spoken phrases from television/movies for Omar's English dialogue.
valhecka's review against another edition
5.0
I remember being totally in love with this and reading it every two months during eighth and ninth grade.
gailpirl's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really finish it. It's great - but I'm just not into kiddies books anymore. Even though the guy's a great author, he writes for kids when it comes down to it.
mandarchy's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book was a little rough to read with the Irish and Arabic slang topped of with "TV speak" I wonder how kids would relate to it today. I read it over ten years ago and it was sweet and memorable.
bbgood's review against another edition
3.0
There is a lot of Irish slang that is confusing. I still don't know what hurlie is. But once I got used it not knowing half of what they were saying to each other, it was fine. Colfer as narrator was pretty funny, and the country is peppered with wonderfully entertaining characters. Especially Benny's Granda, who liked to tell stories, some of which might actually be true. Though most of advice is ripped from Yankee movies.
I found the book sad, though. Because of the first two pages, the prologue. It sets it up that Benny and Babe aren't really friends anymore, and after finishing the book that made me really sad.
I found the book sad, though. Because of the first two pages, the prologue. It sets it up that Benny and Babe aren't really friends anymore, and after finishing the book that made me really sad.
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