MG Monday: Review: Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

Title: Liesl and Po
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: 29 Sep 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

'On the third night after the day her father died, Liesl saw the ghost.'

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice - until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone. That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable. Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.

Review

The beginning of this book starts with a personal note from Lauren Oliver that touched my heart and made me personally invested in the book, it was just such a beautiful and individual thing to do.

I also have to mention how amazing the illustrations are within this book; Kei Acedera really captured the identity of the characters and their interactions. The illustrations really added that something extra to the book making it something to treasure and pass onto future generations.

Written in 3rd person narrative, yet focalized from the alternating perspectives of the 3 main characters; Liesl, Po and Will. The third person narration allows for an omniscient presence within the narrative enabling the reader (ME) to witness the inner thoughts and actions of all the characters and how they relate to each other as well as the story itself. It amazed me how the threads of the story and the separate events of these characters wove together to create such a rich tapestry of a story.

For me there was a fairytale feel to the prose, re-enforced with the wicked Stepmother figure in Augusta alongside the imagery of Liesl being locked away. I especially liked how Lauren Oliver was able to entwine Liesl's and Will's dreams/imagination while keeping the fairytale parallels, a very, very clever piece of writing. Although the setting felt historical in nature with the carriages and steam trains, it also felt timeless; if that makes any sense.

Lauren Oliver really captured the way in which children are able to see things differently from adults; yet in some respects the way in which they view things can be clearer than the adults. I think 'ineffable' is now one of my favourite words. The way in which self confidence is diminished in children by adults was poignantly depicted.

On a personal note I did find some of the story quite upsetting with the idea that Liesl's father couldn't rest in peace until he was in the right location. For my sister and myself; my mother isn't in the right place but my brother overruled us [ : ' ( ] (You know what I say - Reading is Subjective - how can it not be) So I can completely relate to the reasons Liesl undertook the journey to lay her fathers ashes in the right place.

The other side brings to mind images of limbo/purgatory - can you imagine spending eternity in a place where there is no colours, where everything blurs - no sense of time or gender and you lose your memories. How awful would that be yet the way in which Po describes being a part of everything; having a connection to the universe does make it have a positive side.

As I said earlier the way in which all of the threads from each character culminate in a complete rounded ending was quite staggering. The minute details that may not have been picked up on while reading came together just brilliantly. I love, love, loved the ending it was just so heart warming. I want desperately to spill the beans but I shall hold myself back.

Such a beautiful book; death and bereavement dealt with in such a heart warming, touching manner I am sure this one will be a classic passed down from generation to generation.

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium
Series: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Publication Date: 3 Feb 2011

Source: UK Book Tours




Synopsis: From GoodReads
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Review:
I would first like to say that the idea of looking at love as a disease is ingenious and completely identifiable. Although love can sometimes be painful would a person really want to go through brain surgery in order not to be able to love. It really makes you think of how that would feel and this hypothesis is intricately woven into the narrative; providing an internal debate on the positives and negatives of love.

Written in first person narrative from Lena's perspective. Lena has lived under the shadow of having a Mother who was outcast for her unending capacity to love. Her Mother was truly wonderful but not seen as such in a society that classes love as a disease similar to the bubonic plague. Lena is afraid to feel, afraid to consider any other option until she meets Alex *swoon*. Lena's best friend, Hanna, provided a stark contrast to Lena in every way - looks/social standing/attitude - yet there is something about there co-dependent relationship that goes far beyond the surface. For me I think Lena and Hanna identified something in each other subconsciously, elements that come to the for as the story progresses.

The use of Mary Magdalene with Lena's name was particularly brilliant, the biblical link was well researched and added to the argument in favour of the cure.

I have to say that I didn't particularly like Lena, I found her self absorbed, judgemental and opportunistic. I had the same problem with Before I Fall but the protagonists path of self discovery redeemed herself in my eyes by the end of the book, I am hoping that Lena does the same in future books.

The similarities portrayed between the dystopian society and that in Matched developed the realism within my imagination. A society that controls music/books/movies, I do not think I would survive. My love of conspiracy theories was fueled by the portrayal of the divide between rich and poor. Government officials decide your place in society, who decides their place or is it a birthright like royalty. There are no restrictions placed on Government officials, they have every convenience and unlimited energy supplies whereas everyone else's is restricted. Unjust and corrupt, I was virtually climbing on my soapbox as I was reading.

The cure itself is completely horrific, akin to a lobotomy, as a reader I was left wondering who on earth would have discovered the way to remove a persons ability to love in the first place. Not only does the cure stop you from falling in love; it stops you loving at all, you cant even love your own children. Yet the ability to hate/be aggressive is left untouched. Personally I kept thinking why not remove the hate out of people rather than the love, wouldn't the world be a better place without hate and with love (stupid scientist). Aggression seems to be exaggerated without the capacity to love depicted vividly with the raids and the sadistic pleasure the actual raiders seem to take in hurting people and destroying things. I was almost sick when reading a particular action of the raiders (no spoilers). Imagine a world without compassion or sympathy; unfortunately it is all too easy to picture.

The writing style is wonderfully descriptive, encompassing beautiful use of similes. The description of feelings was astute and really got to the 'heart' of the matter. The merging of science and religion within the narrative along with the quotes used at the top of chapter headings added depth, dimension and impact to the basic storyline while providing additional insight into the characters and plot development.

I am not going to gush about this book as I know a lot of other people have, the reason behind this is that at the end of it I felt as if I had my heart ripped out then trampled on.

A haunting and emotional read, believe me it will stay with you for a long time.

Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Synopsis: From Amazon
They say that when you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that's not how it happened for me
Sam Kingston is dead. Except she isn't.
On a rainy February night, eighteen-year-old Sam is killed in a horrific car crash. But then the impossible happens: she wakes up in her own bed, on the morning of the day that she died.
Forced to live over and over the last day of her life the drive to school, skipping class, the fateful party she desperately struggles to alter the outcome, but every morning she wakes up on the day of the crash.
This is a story of a girl who dies young, but in the process learns how to live. And who falls in love... a little too late.

Review:
At the beginning of this book I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. Written in 1st person narrative, Sam starts of as unlikeable; popular by association basing her actions and preferences on being accepted by the 'in' crowd. Peer pressure is an incredibly powerful thing and shown in all its *glory* in this story, the I felt as if Sam had no personality of her own, for all intents and purposes she was a sheep. And then she died.

Initially, I thought it was like an emotional Groundhog day (which is even mentioned within the narrative). However, as I relived each last day with Sam I really felt for her. Sam's fear of dying was palpable within the narrative. Very, very powerful writing. I felt as if I was there with her every step of the way. Imagine reliving the day you die over and over again, knowing that it is inevitable; that here is nothing you can do to stop it from happening. Knowing the exact time, place and circumstance of your own death. How frightened would you be as the minutes ticked away.

As Sam relives the same day over and over, we are exposed to the 5 stages of grief, (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and finally Acceptance). Sam is grieving for herself not only for the life that she has yet to live but for the mistakes she has made so far.

Getting the opportunity to repeat the same day gives Sam a chance to rectify some of the mistakes she has made. The opportunity to see people in a different light, to say the things she always wanted to say but never felt it was the right time and to be the person she really wanted to be rather than conforming. Sam gains a whole new perspective and discovers true love in the process.

All the characters were well developed and almost 3 dimensional, there personalities and interactions were so real to me I felt I was there right along with Sam. I could relate to all of them in one way or another. The narrative incorporates a lot of sensitive issues such as substance abuse, sex and eating disorders; issues although not dealt with in depth reflect the inner turmoil people suffer while projecting a very different outward image. The saying 'never judge a book by it's cover' strongly applies to the characters within this book.

I finished reading this book very late in the night; I went to sleep thinking about it and woke up the next morning still thinking about it. Is is one of those haunting stories that stays with you. For me it was an emotional roller-coaster. I felt as if I had been swallowed whole, chewed up into one big gloppy mess and then spat back out. I have to admit to absolutely sobbing my heart out while reading this one (not the usual silent tears but the gasping, sniffing type of sobbing). It really is an amazing book, you will need a lot of tissues.