“A Wrinkle in Time” meets a marijuana-infused “Wizard of Oz” in this brilliant novel, the 2010 Printz winner by Libba Bray. Ms. Bray offers up a very different tale than her “Sweet Far Thing” series, this one focusing on a contemporary disaffected teen, 16 year-old Cameron Smith. Cameron is metaphorically dying in the conformity of his world, unaware that actual death is likely coming for him. When an unexpected diagnosis sends his brain into overdrive, we travel with Cameron on a life-changing journey. An early discussion of Schrodinger’s cat sets up the reader to understand that this journey may be real and/or may be metaphorical … but that doesn’t necessarily matter, does it? Cameron grows through his experiences, and many (many many many) fun allusions are made along the way (check out the names of the residents of the CESSNAB institute, or pages 216-217 regarding book banning …) Saying that this novel is both deep and clever is an understatement. If not for its significant length (nearly 500 pages) and a certain inevitable sadness, I could re-read it over and over and find something new each time. Ms. Bray’s relatable style continues with characters that are full-fledged and interesting. She somehow manages to put in surprises even when you know where things are going, and the story is a page-turner with a tremendously compelling storyline … I saw much of it playing out in my head like a film. This is definitely a worthy winner of the Printz Medal – and has the kind of mature content that leaves it utterly ignored by the Newbery folks. Their loss. I’ve already seen this book circulate a good bit and I’m not surprised. Once word gets out, I suspect it will not see the shelf much. The great irony is that, like the Newbery winner, this one deals with the “possibilities” of Physics. Which leaves me to wonder, are we a society in need of escape? Alternate realities and futures? The chance to change our fates? There certainly is a theme out there, and it does make you wonder. (PS, read the opening acknowledgements ... hysterical.)
Monday, January 25, 2010
"Going Bovine" by Libba Bray
“A Wrinkle in Time” meets a marijuana-infused “Wizard of Oz” in this brilliant novel, the 2010 Printz winner by Libba Bray. Ms. Bray offers up a very different tale than her “Sweet Far Thing” series, this one focusing on a contemporary disaffected teen, 16 year-old Cameron Smith. Cameron is metaphorically dying in the conformity of his world, unaware that actual death is likely coming for him. When an unexpected diagnosis sends his brain into overdrive, we travel with Cameron on a life-changing journey. An early discussion of Schrodinger’s cat sets up the reader to understand that this journey may be real and/or may be metaphorical … but that doesn’t necessarily matter, does it? Cameron grows through his experiences, and many (many many many) fun allusions are made along the way (check out the names of the residents of the CESSNAB institute, or pages 216-217 regarding book banning …) Saying that this novel is both deep and clever is an understatement. If not for its significant length (nearly 500 pages) and a certain inevitable sadness, I could re-read it over and over and find something new each time. Ms. Bray’s relatable style continues with characters that are full-fledged and interesting. She somehow manages to put in surprises even when you know where things are going, and the story is a page-turner with a tremendously compelling storyline … I saw much of it playing out in my head like a film. This is definitely a worthy winner of the Printz Medal – and has the kind of mature content that leaves it utterly ignored by the Newbery folks. Their loss. I’ve already seen this book circulate a good bit and I’m not surprised. Once word gets out, I suspect it will not see the shelf much. The great irony is that, like the Newbery winner, this one deals with the “possibilities” of Physics. Which leaves me to wonder, are we a society in need of escape? Alternate realities and futures? The chance to change our fates? There certainly is a theme out there, and it does make you wonder. (PS, read the opening acknowledgements ... hysterical.)
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