Pratchett, Terry. 2008. Nation. HarperCollins. 370 pages.
Imo set out one day to catch some fish, but there was no sea.
Because the prologue didn't hook me, I put off reading this one. Despite the fact that oh-so-many were blogging about it and singing its praises, I wasn't sure this would be my kind of book. I knew I wanted to read it one day, sometimes I felt even one day soon. But it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I made reading this one a top priority.
Mau is a young boy whose strength and courage is challenged above and beyond when tragedy strikes. A giant wave--a tsunami--has destroyed his island village. He is the only survivor. But not for long. Soon others begin to arrive. A young white girl renaming herself Daphne, the lone survivor of a shipwreck, is the first one he meets. A new mother and her starving babe, an old priest, arrive soon after. More and more come. Can a young boy restore a nation?
This one is not only beautifully and brilliantly written, it's also incredibly suspenseful and action-packed. I should also mention it's amazingly thought-provoking. It's hard to put this one down.
"I thought you saved her life."I definitely recommend this one. There was just so much I loved about it. Great characters. Great storytelling. Great pace.
"Yes, but the first time I saved her life, I saved mine, too. Do you understand? If she hadn't been here, I'd have held the biggest rock I could find and gone into the dark current. One person is nothing. Two people are a nation." (252)
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
7 comments:
I admit you have piqued my curiosity. I think I have just always discounted Terry Pratchett books based on the cover and the fact that they don't really seem like my kind of book. But this one sounds interesting. I may have to give it a try. Thanks for the review.
Oh yay!!! I'm glad you went back to it Becky :D And of course that you loved it. I agree with you 100% It's everything! Just a perfect book I thought. I thought the biggest compliment was when Nymeth said it was her favorite Pratchett. For her to say that, you know it has to be good :p
The only Pratchett book I've read is Good Omens, but this sounds pretty fabulous.
I had the same problem with this book, too, but I enjoyed it in the end. :)
This one sounds oh so good! and that little excerpt there makes me want to read on :)
So glad you enjoyed this one. For nearly all this year it's held the top-spot in my mental reads of the year league. It was only until I read The Ask and the Answer came along that it has been challenged! Even now, I'm not sure which one will win out...
I've never read Terry Prachett, but I love the sound of this one! Maybe I need to give it a try.
Post a Comment