Rule of the Bone : Novel, A

Rating:
Summary: Insightful and Entertaining
Review: Russel Banks is an empathetic and clever author. He seems to tap into the teenage psyche through his main character Chappie. The novel is well written and even those who don't consider themselves to be avid readers will enjoy the adventures of " The Bone."

Rating:
Summary: THE BONE RUUUUUULES!!!!!
Review: This book has got it all: every emotion and practical poetry and descriptions all set before the background of an excellent plot that's full of symbols and is prime analytical literature analysis material. Banks is one white guy that has found his inner black self and probably understands black collective consciousness better than any other white author pretensioulsy attempting to do so. Full of wisdom and humor, Rule of the Bone is instatnly engaging and takes you on a ride almost as turbulent and realistic as the main characters', and ends on a beautiful note that fills you with the sun.....you will NOT be able to put it down.....It's truly a work of art.....EXCELLENT.

Rating:
Summary: Bone is my Fleshy Favorite
Review: I read Rule of the Bone about a year ago, when I was Bone's age, and it kept my attention like no other. Especially since I am so different from Chappie, who has wisdom and guts rare in teenagers. Banks' narrative is funny and desperately sad at the same time, and his portrayal of Bone as a neglected kid with more life experience than many adults and a stronger sense of self is biblically meaningful. And FUN FUN FUN.

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: I read The Sweet Hereafter after seeing the movie. Liked it alot and picked up Rule of the Bone. I read a lot of books and this one is the best I've read in a long time. It is a very fun book, and also a very serious book. Exactly the kind of book a novel should be...I can't reccomend it highly enough...

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, couldn't put it down
Review: I absolutely loved the way this novel was written, it can be read by anyone, it set a comfortable tone, and is an easy novel to read. The main character Chappie, a.k.a. Bone really made me realize what this world is all about through the experiences he encountered throughout the novel. I loved the way it was written. A definiete 5+++ in my books.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read!
Review: I'm 16 years old and I just finished Rule of the Bone, I loved it. I am not a person who likes reading, but this was one book that I read all the way through and really enjoyed it. Last year I read Catcher in the Rye, and this book has the same quality to it, only it's more realistic to kids today.

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional!
Review: Don't miss Rule of the Bone. Authentically written, moving, amusing, disturbing, realistic, and believable. Absolutely the best book I've read this year. Banks is a master of his art.

Rating:
Summary: Riotously funny
Review: The Bone ruuuuuuules!! Finally, a "modern-day Catcher in the Rye" that's truly worthy of the comparison. This is one of the funniest books I've ever read, with a seemingly endless supply of hilarious lines and memorable catch phrases and not a few poignant moments. Banks also manages to sneak in some interesting observations about race and class in modern-day America. I've recommended this book to more people than I could probably count, and I just read it a few months ago!

Rating:
Summary: Stunned (and still reeling)
Review: Russell Banks' characterization of 14/15 y.o. Chappie (a.k.a. Bone) is absolutely stunning. As a writer and lover of fiction, what impressed me most was Banks' ability to sustain Bone's voice, emotion, actions, and choices throughout the novel without once lapsing into the realm of fantasy, morality tale, pro/anti-drug campaign or coming of age cliche. Banks keeps it real. Every word. This is why it succeeds so wildly and so unexpectedly. And in effect, he does what all writers of first-person narratives attempt but few are able to achieve, and that is to completely convince the reader that the person's name on the front cover beneath the title and the character relaying the story are one in the same living, breathing flesh. I relished it. Strongly recommended for readers of any age engaged in a search for love and self-knowledge or simply interested in an good, solid story... which covers just about everyone out there, I'd imagine.

Rating:
Summary: teenage angst has paid off well
Review: Very repetitious writing, very didactic and simplistic storytelling. The stock "abusive stepdad " character, the passive ineffectual masochist mother cliche, and a witless reggae junkie yoda mentor all conspire to make a lame, feel-good, "Ed Flanders" type update of Catcher in the Rye. The book gets two stars though for having this great scene: the main character trashes a yuppie summerhouse only to bum a ride off the very same yuppies, who are vividly described with hilarious vulgarity, and as such this is the only memorable moment.