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Loading... Skellig (1998)by David Almond
1   bell7 | May 14, 2013 |  4Q,2P. Had I reviewed Skellig the moment I finished the book, I would have rated it at 3. However, with a little time and reflection, I realized what a lovely story David Almond tells. It is not an energetic story, but it has heart. It weaves struggle and magic to create seamless portrayal of magical realism. Even with magical elements, the characters are believable - each has a unique personality and struggle. As much as I appreciate the story, I feel few teens would connect with it. However, I imagine teens who are open to the genre and willing to give some thought to the story would adore this book. (  ) annbwes | May 6, 2013 | 3Q, 3P I had mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand I thought it was very scary and suspenseful, almost above the reading level. It had the atmosphere and feeling of an adult horror novel for a lot of it (I kept thinking back to the way I felt when I read Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart - this feeling of oppression, like there was something lurking rightthere). On the other hand, the plot (or lack thereof) was overly simplistic and had very little movement. The conflict was there in that Michael's baby sister was sick, but it never felt like a problem that Michael needed to be doing anything about, until suddenly it was, and suddenly this random magical creature had the ability to do something about it. For as short of a book as it was, it started very slowly and then rushed towards the end. I think I would like to reread this though, given how much critical acclaim it has received. I read it very quickly in one sitting, and maybe it deserves a better chance to get to me. (  ) derbyn | May 6, 2013 | 3Q, 3P This book felt like the horror story that never was. The narrator's pacing in the audiobook was extremely rushed, and it got my heart rate up for...no reason. I think if I had read the book instead, I would have reacted differently. Aside from enjoying the narrator's accent, however, I felt moderately disappointed at the end. The story itself was about a simple, strange event that was complicated by Michael's constant mental dialogue. I'm not sure what the point of Mina was, other than someone Michael could sometimes confide in; she felt rather out-of-place. I would be interested in reading Almond's "My Name is Mina," which is based off of her story, just to see her side of things. ( ) Plexchan | May 6, 2013 | 4Q, 3P This book was such a mysterious and beautiful story about Michael, a ten-year-old boy adapting to a new house that’s falling apart and dealing with the illness of his baby sister all at the same time. It’s a dramatic tale and will enchant young readers who are interested in stories of mystery and fantasy. The friendship between Michael and Mina is beautiful and is full of innocence and wonder. ( ) estradav | May 5, 2013 | no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0440229081, Mass Market Paperback)"I thought he was dead. He was sitting with his legs stretched out and his head tipped back against the wall. He was covered with dust and webs like everything else and his face was thin and pale. Dead bluebottles were scattered on his hair and shoulders. I shined the flashlight on his white face and his black suit."This is Michael's introduction to Skellig, the man-owl-angel who lies motionless behind the tea chests in the abandoned garage in back of the boy's dilapidated new house. As disturbing as this discovery is, it is the least of Michael's worries. The new house is a mess, his parents are distracted, and his brand-new baby sister is seriously ill. Still, he can't get this mysterious creature out of his mind--even as he wonders if he has really seen him at all. What unfolds is a powerful, cosmic, dreamlike tale reminiscent of Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. British novelist David Almond works magic as he examines the large issues of death, life, friendship, love, and the breathtaking connections between all things. Amidst the intensity and anxiety of his world, Michael is a normal kid. He goes to school, plays soccer, and has friends with nicknames like Leakey and Coot. It's at home where his life becomes extraordinary, with the help of Skellig and Mina, the quirky, strong-willed girl next door with "the kind of eyes you think can see right through you." Mina and her mother's motto is William Blake's "How can a bird that is born for joy / Sit in a cage and sing?" This question carries us through the book, as we see Michael's baby sister trapped in a hospital incubator; as we see the exquisite, winged Skellig crumpled in the garage; as we meet Mina's precious blackbird chicks and the tawny owls in her secret attic; and as we finally see a braver, bolder Michael spread his wings and fly. Skellig was the Whitbread Award's 1998 Children's Book of the Year, and this haunting novel is sure to resonate with readers young and old. (Ages 10 and older) --Karin Snelson (retrieved from Amazon Sun, 30 Jan 2011 15:31:22 -0500) Unhappy about his baby sister's illness and the chaos of moving into a dilapidated old house, Michael retreats to the garage and finds a mysterious stranger who is something like a bird and something like an angel. |
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Wikipedia in English (2)
1
Some books are easy to read, review, and move on. This is not one of them. Skellig, though short, is one of those stories that lingers as you think about the characters and writing and events. Michael realistically feels a little bit of jealousy but also deeply cares about his sister. Mina is homeschooled and proud of it, and she's so sure of who she is that you can't help but love her. And Skellig... well, he's a bit of an enigma. He's a being that can't be explained in just a few words. In fact, I feel like I should really reread the book before I try to make any further pronouncements. I was left smiling and just a bit unsettled, in the sense that I couldn't quite wrap my brain around the story without thinking some more. (