Far Far Away
FlumeAward – Far Far Away Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
I tried to read this a year or so back, and it wasn’t grabbing me. But Lisa’s review made me go back, and I’m so glad I did! I think this would appeal nicely to fans of The Book Thief – the tone seems similar, the narrators remind me of each other. It definitely moves slowly in the beginning which is a big drawback, though I feel like it’s a great "slow burn" of a book, since once the tensions start rising they ratchet up until the reader is like "AAAAH!!!!" I would say that I didn’t find the ending totally predictable, but rather that the foreshadowing was set up very well and the decoy characters were set up well too. Worth the final list, definitely! – Liz, Merrimack PL
Egads. I almost feel I shouldn’t comment on this book as it is one with which I became insanely obsessed. The audio version is off the charts in quality and expression ~ really beautifully done (I own it now, of course). I loved the book so much that I’ve developed an email "friendship" with Tom McNeal; he’s a really interesting guy! With that out of the way, I’d say this book is an exceptionally well-written modern fairy tale. The story mirrors some of the darker of Grimm’s original tales, and maybe it’s me, but I didn’t see the end coming, though friends have reported predicting it easily! Tom has stated that the oddness of the story also reflects some of the "tantalizingly strange" lives of the Grimm brothers, and he’s spot on about that! The simplicity of the language should not be considered a strike against it from being included on the Flume list; the content is rather grisly and requires a bit of sophistication when considering the weaving plot. Instead of going on ad nauseum about one of my all time favorite novels, I’ll just say that I WOULD recommend it for the list.
Lisa Houde
Rye Public Library
[So, okay – one more thing. I absolutely loved the tender friendship between Jacob and Jeremy. If you haven’t read the book or listened to the audio, are a fan of the fairy tales, or just love a well-told tale, consider it!]
It took me a bit to really get into this one, though I loved the idea of it, but once I did, I finished the last half in one sitting.
Jeremy is a regular kid in modern-day middle America, but there are a couple of unique things about him: he lives in the back of the Two-Book Bookstore that he inherited from his grandfather, which only sells both volumes of his grandfather’s memoir, with his shut-in dad, and he has an interesting relationship with a ghost that only he can hear: Jacob Grimm. Yep, that Jacob Grimm.
This story follows Jeremy through the tribulations of both regular teenage life and the potential loss of his home as the bookstore fails, and then life begins to resemble the fairy tales that he loves so much (and don’t forget that they’re the grim Grimm versions).
So wonderfully rewarding. Equally accessible to those familiar with the Grimm brothers’ tales and those who aren’t. Definitely good for high school students, boys and girls equally. When I finished it, I immediately thought that this needed to be a Flume Award finalist.
Kirsten Rundquist Corbett, Sandown Public Library
I just finished the book and enjoyed much of it. The beginning is enchanting. The characters generally feel real, including the narrator… who is a ghost. This reader empathized with them, their achievements and plights. The middle of the book evolves from suspense to boredom. I almost didn’t finish it. As the plot moved toward a conclusion, the material was often depressing, I couldn’t read it before bed if I wanted to sleep. The final pages wrap things up quite satisfactorily, so no sequels are probable. While it isn’t a favorite, you will find it an interesting story. You will also learn more about the brothers Grimm, their tales and some tales that would have enriched their book. Add this book to your high school or public library collection. I feel "Far Far Away" doesn’t seem to have the hallmarks of a Flume winner: emotionally searing, strong portends of doom, very slow passages, a veritable how-to section on poisoning and psychological warfare.
Proceed with caution. Wally Keniston.
This story grew on me. I found the beginning OK, the middle slow, the almost end terrifying, and the ending satisfying. I liked the story; and loved the connections with the brothers Grimm, the characters were great – but wish I that it was more evenly paced (that title is terrible – not a grabber at all). The story speaks accurately of life and the masks that people wear. I believe that it would appeal to both boys and girls and the title is appropriate for all teen age levels. I wouldn’t mind seeing this on the list, but would be shocked if it won. ~ Sharon Flesher, Nashua South