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lisakimmence3's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cozy, beautiful little story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
biblioamyy's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in just one sitting! It is so beautifully written and it is such a lovely story to read! It made my cheeks hurt from smiling so much! The illustrations in the book as well are beautiful!! I would recommend to anyone who wants a quick and a happy read! :)
pridiansky's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
While this book wasn't a new favorite, I like what it's trying to do. This book has a strong message of empathy, and presents the reality of death in a way that is not scary to kids. I believe the author would like to normalize the idea of death, instead of treating it as this horrible thing that society tends to loathe and dislikes talking about. This deals with the grief of losing family, of a child losing a parent, of a situation where the child doesn't want to be with their biological father due to abuse, etc. There are some pretty heavy themes, but the happy ending more than makes up for it. The second half of the book is stronger than the first half, in my opinion. I think the fantastical elements added to the story because it may have been a little duller without that. I enjoy that the friendship between the two main characters was exactly what each of them needed. A grieving father and husband having the boy as a new son, and a little boy having someone to be the kind father he always deserved. You can have broken parts, but still deserve and attain good things and relationships. Your brokenness doesn't have to define you, nor the trauma inflicted by others. *Spoiler* In the end, they row away to a new land, using a coffin as their boat to a new life. As a nonreligious person, I still thought that had a nice, poetic touch to it. *End Spoiler*
edensgarden's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
I received this ARC from the publisher.
A great woodworker lost his family to a sickness that swept through town. The man then uses his skills to create coffins for the townsfolk. One day, when the man is old, he discovers a boy hanging around his. The old man takes the boy in and they both begin to live again. However, the man must keep the boy secret because he is hiding from his abusive father. Each day the two get closer to discovery, but they are happy with the family they have created.
This is a cute magical book. I can see readers of both genders enjoying this book. I found the illustrations enhanced the content.
A great woodworker lost his family to a sickness that swept through town. The man then uses his skills to create coffins for the townsfolk. One day, when the man is old, he discovers a boy hanging around his. The old man takes the boy in and they both begin to live again. However, the man must keep the boy secret because he is hiding from his abusive father. Each day the two get closer to discovery, but they are happy with the family they have created.
This is a cute magical book. I can see readers of both genders enjoying this book. I found the illustrations enhanced the content.
lissystrata's review against another edition
4.0
Who’s ready for emotions? :D
The first chapter of this book reminds me of the first ten minutes of Pixar’s Up, in that we are introduced to our protagonist, given some lovely heartwarming imagery, and then once our guard is down we are thoroughly gutted. And then the story begins.
Alberto the carpenter lives in the town of Allora, which is know for its fish that fly out of the sea in such great numbers that there’s no need for fishermen; they catch themselves. Alberto lives in a house on the edge of town near the cemetery, with his wife and three children.
And then the sickness comes.
The town is nearly wiped out as more and more people die, and finally Alberto’s family succumbs. As the town’s coffin maker had already died earlier, Alberto takes it upon himself to make coffins for his family and them himself.
Only the sickness doesn’t take him.
He wishes it did.
And that’s just the first chapter, so hold onto your hats! We pick up the story a few decades later, when Alberto is commissioned by the pompous Mayor to make the grandest coffin of all for him. Expensive wood, expensive ornamentation, the works.
Alberto has become the town’s official coffin maker over the years, and he mostly only talks to the dead people he’s making coffins for. It’s a quiet, solitary life. And then one day, he notices food going missing. He manages to catch the thief in the act…and it’s a boy. A boy with a beautiful bird friend. They take off at once, but over time Alberto manages to slowly gain the boy’s (Tito) trust.
Tito slowly comes to trust Alberto, and even asks to learn how to make coffins too. All he wants is a place to feel safe from the powerful man that pursues him, and as time passes he finally feels he’s found a safe home.
Until the day the man comes to town looking for Tito.
This is Matilda Wood’s debut novel, and it has this wonderful timeless quality. It’s a delightfully heartwarming tale of quiet friendship with a bit of mystery and magical realism.
The first chapter of this book reminds me of the first ten minutes of Pixar’s Up, in that we are introduced to our protagonist, given some lovely heartwarming imagery, and then once our guard is down we are thoroughly gutted. And then the story begins.
Alberto the carpenter lives in the town of Allora, which is know for its fish that fly out of the sea in such great numbers that there’s no need for fishermen; they catch themselves. Alberto lives in a house on the edge of town near the cemetery, with his wife and three children.
And then the sickness comes.
The town is nearly wiped out as more and more people die, and finally Alberto’s family succumbs. As the town’s coffin maker had already died earlier, Alberto takes it upon himself to make coffins for his family and them himself.
Only the sickness doesn’t take him.
He wishes it did.
And that’s just the first chapter, so hold onto your hats! We pick up the story a few decades later, when Alberto is commissioned by the pompous Mayor to make the grandest coffin of all for him. Expensive wood, expensive ornamentation, the works.
Alberto has become the town’s official coffin maker over the years, and he mostly only talks to the dead people he’s making coffins for. It’s a quiet, solitary life. And then one day, he notices food going missing. He manages to catch the thief in the act…and it’s a boy. A boy with a beautiful bird friend. They take off at once, but over time Alberto manages to slowly gain the boy’s (Tito) trust.
Tito slowly comes to trust Alberto, and even asks to learn how to make coffins too. All he wants is a place to feel safe from the powerful man that pursues him, and as time passes he finally feels he’s found a safe home.
Until the day the man comes to town looking for Tito.
This is Matilda Wood’s debut novel, and it has this wonderful timeless quality. It’s a delightfully heartwarming tale of quiet friendship with a bit of mystery and magical realism.
lola_ford's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Such a great book! I really enjoyed it.