I have mixed feelings on A Corner of White. There were certain things that I just loved about it, mainly the fantasy world, if I'm honest, and there were other things that were just okay for me, some of the characters. It was a book that definitely required patience, always patience. For there would be chapters that were enjoyable enough, and then sections that would drag.
Corner of White is set in two worlds. The "real world" sections focus on Madeleine and her homeschool friends. (It's a bit more complicated than that, and there is romance potential with one of her friends). The fantasy world sections take place in the Kingdom of Cello. These sections, in my opinion, were almost always more entertaining even though they were more confusing at times. Elliot is the hero of these bits. There is a "crack" between these two worlds. Elliot and Madeleine find themselves exchanging letters. Elliot knows the "real world" exists, that the two worlds used to be in communication with one another, that these cracks are not only possible but definitely illegal. Madeleine is condescending in 99% of her letters to Elliot because she assumes his letters are full of lies. She is not a believer in anything fantastical.
It isn't so much that these two are able to "help" one another directly with anything going on in their lives. Madeleine doesn't believe anything he says, and she laughs at his problems, his world. Her letters are her ramblings, not meant to do more than ramble really. Of course, it turns out that her rambles inspire him--literally--in his greatest moment of need. But that wasn't intentional on Madeleine's part. She wasn't being brave and wise on purpose. If his letters help her at all, perhaps they serve as needed reminders that she is not the only person in the world with problems, and that the world does not revolve around her, and that she should, you know, actually think things through and not be so horrible to others.
© 2014 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
2 comments:
I have this book on my shelves, but it's not at the top of the list even though I have lots of love for the cover. I'm actually relieved that it wasn't a must read review, I already feel overwhelmed by my tbr piles!
That's too bad you didn't like this a bit more.
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