Preacher's Boy

Rating:
Summary: No More Pranks
Review: A book by Katherine Paterson is always difficult to judge. The main reason is because she has written a truly great book--"Bridge to Terabithia"--and a number of others that are nearly as great. Because of this, there is a tendency to be a tougher judge of her books as if every new novel should be a masterpiece. Fortunately, Ms. Paterson lives up to the challenge time after time.

I am constantly amazed at how well Ms. Paterson is able to write in the voice of young person, creating very realistic characters. Though a bit older myself these days, I can identify very well with Robbie as he stuggles with the difficulties in his life. I am particularly impressed with the depiction of Robbie's relationship with his father and how he struggles to understand him. Also, the difficulties he has in being himself while at the same time trying to be the son of a good man who has an important and public job in his hometown.

Though I don't think any good book is really gender-specific to an active reader, I can see where young boys would find this book speaking to them a little more. Still, I would encourage anyone with a love of good literature to read this book. It is a stong depiction of an interesting character.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Great Authors
Review: A book by Katherine Paterson is always difficult to judge. The main reason is because she has written a truly great book--"Bridge to Terabithia"--and a number of others that are nearly as great. Because of this, there is a tendency to be a tougher judge of her books as if every new novel should be a masterpiece. Fortunately, Ms. Paterson lives up to the challenge time after time.

I am constantly amazed at how well Ms. Paterson is able to write in the voice of young person, creating very realistic characters. Though a bit older myself these days, I can identify very well with Robbie as he stuggles with the difficulties in his life. I am particularly impressed with the depiction of Robbie's relationship with his father and how he struggles to understand him. Also, the difficulties he has in being himself while at the same time trying to be the son of a good man who has an important and public job in his hometown.

Though I don't think any good book is really gender-specific to an active reader, I can see where young boys would find this book speaking to them a little more. Still, I would encourage anyone with a love of good literature to read this book. It is a stong depiction of an interesting character.

Rating:
Summary: A great read for all ages
Review: At first I was skeptical about this book because in the beginning of the book Robbie and Willie just play pranks on the other townspeople. I soon realized I was wrong. It was jam-packed with action,adventure,love and care. It made me feel as though I was joining Robbie on his big adventures. This book is thrilling and is a must-read. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age. This was a swell read.

Rating:
Summary: A great read for all ages
Review: Don't get me wrong, this book wasn't bad. I just felt that it never got the spark that distinguishes an "okay" book from a really good book.

First of all, it seemed to me that the book was really slow-moving. It didn't take me that long to finish the entire book, but I think it was halfway before I felt that the book really got moving.

Robbie was a problem for me as well. There are some characters that you come to love, and some that you just want to hate, but Robbie just seemed lukewarm to me, and it took me awhile to even like him enough to care very much what was happening. Besides this, Robbie can take the time to become philisophical, much older for his years, such as in his musings about how "Violet" got changed to "Vile", etc, but can't seem to figure out up from down in other instances.

There are quite a few things that seem extraneous, and don't help to move forward the plot very well.

The other thing that irks me is that Robbie's father is JUST TOO PERFECT. I know that he's the preacher, etc, but nobody is THAT perfect.

Rating:
Summary: Likeable enough, but..
Review: Don't get me wrong, this book wasn't bad. I just felt that it never got the spark that distinguishes an "okay" book from a really good book.

First of all, it seemed to me that the book was really slow-moving. It didn't take me that long to finish the entire book, but I think it was halfway before I felt that the book really got moving.

Robbie was a problem for me as well. There are some characters that you come to love, and some that you just want to hate, but Robbie just seemed lukewarm to me, and it took me awhile to even like him enough to care very much what was happening. Besides this, Robbie can take the time to become philisophical, much older for his years, such as in his musings about how "Violet" got changed to "Vile", etc, but can't seem to figure out up from down in other instances.

There are quite a few things that seem extraneous, and don't help to move forward the plot very well.

The other thing that irks me is that Robbie's father is JUST TOO PERFECT. I know that he's the preacher, etc, but nobody is THAT perfect.

Rating:
Summary: Paterson entertains and delights; a little theology too!
Review: Noted author Paterson has one the prestigious Newbery Medal twice in her prolific career; with this book, she very well may find herself a candidate once again. The crystalline prose, the finely wrought setting, and the unforgettable characters that are the hallmarks of her work are all present again in this historical novel of turn-of-the-20th-century small-town Vermont. This is the story of Robbie Hewitt, indeed a preacher's boy, who, in the finest Huck Finn/Tom Sawyer traditions, finds himself definitely at odds with the role his family and his father's flock expect of him. Like his literary predecessors, Robbie must face a nigh impossible situation which leads to an ultimate maturing. This reviewer must wonder if Ms. Paterson is familiar with the thought and teaching of contemporary theologian Matthew Fox because there are some striking similarities in her novel. What a great master's thesis or doctoral dissertation that would make! However, the theology never clouds the plot or Robbie and the book is a very satisfying read.

Rating:
Summary: Column by Student: PREACHER'S BOY
Review: Robbie's father is a preacher in Vermont in 1899, but Robbie has come to belief that religion is just too hard, and he'd better get in as much living as possible before the world ends. His schemes to become notable involve him in many mishaps but most of all he wants to test his father's love for him over his retarded older brother. This fine story of belief takes the tone of a Tom Sawyer-like adventure.