Finding Violet Park
 RRP £5.99 Lowest New Price £1.45 
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HarperCollins Children's Books Number of pages: 208 Language: English (Original Language) Language: English (Unknown) |
RRP: £5.99
Highly recommended
Review date: 2008-01-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
A massive congratulations to the author for such a clever piece of work. The only complaint I have about this book is that it was not long enough. An excellent storyline, with a surprising twist in the tale. I loved it and would recommend it to readers of all ages.
Reviews
Family connection
Review date: 2007-10-05 Rating: 6 out of 10
Teenager, Lucas is intrigued by the urn containing ashes of Violet Park that rests on a shelf in a taxi office and he is convinced that she is trying to communicate with him. He steals the urn and finding out more about her life becomes his obsession. Her secrets gradually become clear until he is surprised to discover her connection to his missing father.
As I read chapter one, I thought I was going to find it difficult to recommend this book as it had an amateur feel to it. However, either the unusual subject overcame most of my reservations or the writing greatly improved for I was soon as hooked by Violet Park as Lucas was. An unusual and enjoyable teen read.
Original but somehow not one I want to keep
Review date: 2007-04-07 Rating: 6 out of 10
This was an original and readable book but it left me feeling a bit disappointed. It describes how 16 year old Lucas gets interested in an urn of ashes which turn out to belong to a lady called Violet Park. The descriptions of how he finds out more and more about her are interesting. And he and his family, though not very likeable, are well described too. But the crux of the story is the way Lucas feels about his disappeared father, who interviewed Violet Park years ago - and this aspect of the book felt a bit contrived to me. I won't give the story away but I struggled to care about what Lucas felt about himself and his dad. I also began to find Lucas's habit of making little lists rather annoying and self conscious. At the end, although I'd enjoyed the read, I did find myself rather thinking "So what?"
I'm not suggesting you don't read this book - please do, as it's well written and original. But for me, its lack of emotional impact and "flavour", meant I gave it to Oxfam after reading it, instead of keeping it on my shelf to read again
finding something wonderful
Review date: 2007-03-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
I'm not known as a prolific reader. I often lose interest, forget the plot or fall asleep. But when I started reading
'Finding Violet Park' that was it, I was fully engaged immediately, read it in almost one sitting (quick cup of tea, halfway through) and thought it was extraordinarily good. Jenny Valentine has created something truly
wonderful. The book is funny, moving and wise. The characters are very well observed and she gets inside
of the head of the main protagonist, a sixteen year old boy with effortless skill. The storyline doesn't slacken,
in fact it gains momentum before reaching it's satisfactory conclusion. I understand this is her first novel and
she should be congratulated for such an assured debut.
you must buy this book!
Review date: 2007-02-23 Rating: 10 out of 10
A friend lent me this book, and first I found that I read it very fast, because the story was so compelling; then I read it slowly, taking time to savour the language...at times I laughed aloud. This bokk has the feel of a 'classic' - This is an extraordinary book - apparently meant for teenagers but having the same sort of broad appeal that, say Philip Pullman has (although not at all like). I felt a bit bereft when I'd finished it and I want MORE, NOW, so please Jenny Valentine write lots more books please ?
Product Details/Specifications
Authors:
Jenny Valentine
Recording label: HarperCollins Children's Books
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Children's Books
EAN: 9780007229628
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 0007229623
Number of pages: 208
Publication date: 2007-09-03
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)
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