The Wild Book

Juan’s parents split up when he’s 13 years old and his mother sends him off to stay with his eccentric Uncle Tito for summer vacation while she deals with the aftermath. While there Juan learns he has a special ability to affect the books in his uncle’s library, a labyrinth filled with thousands of volumes. He also meets and is intrigued by Catalina, the young girl who works at her parents’ pharmacy across the street.

Technically this book is marketed as the first young readers book by this author, but reads a bit more like an adult book. There is nothing in it that would be inappropriate for children, but it seems like the story would appeal more to adults. For instance, the protagonist is aged 13 in the bulk of the story but show more is narrating from a distance, the text is peppered with words such as “scatological” that aren’t particularly child accessible, and there are several literary references that would probably go over most children’s heads.

That all being said, I was definitely compelled by this book and read it fairly quickly. I can’t quite express it but there is something about the flow of the text that was very beautiful. I really enjoyed the use of the language and found myself wanting to mark down quotes from many parts of it. In Some respects, it reminds me of The Petit Prince; it seems deceptively simple but leaves you thinking.

Each chapter has a small illustration near its name that goes with the theme of that chapter, which was a nice touch. The ending of the book was slightly anti-climatic but I think it works with the feel of the book as a whole.

I’m not quite sure what child I would recommend this title to, but I think adults who have a love of reading and in particular a love of magical realism, this book would interest them. show less

This is one of those books, which I'm glad found its way to an English translation. Adventure, imagination and magic flow wonderfully to create a tale worthy of getting lost in.

Eleven -year-old Juan's life is falling apart. Not only has his father left them for some woman in Paris, but his mother isn't able (mentally or time-wise) to give much support or, in Juan's case, some needed love. Instead, she ships him off to his really strange uncle until she can get life back into some sort of order. As Juan steps into the house packed to the gills with dust and seemingly unordered books, he's not sure what to think. As he wanders the halls, rows, and rooms, he begins to notice that the books are moving. And that's when the adventure show more begins.

The beginning of this one had me wondering if I'd enjoy the book. The flow is a bit choppy as we meet Juan just as his life is turning upside down. It's not a happy beginning but chaotic, and while it made it a little hard for me to sink in, it does bring across Juan's feelings and the general atmosphere well. It's hard not to sympathize with Juan and hope things get better quick. As soon as Juan gets to his uncle's house, everything takes a huge turn. Imagination takes flight, and the tale right with it. After this, I was completely sucked in.

I simply enjoyed the free adventure in these pages. There's magic, which is simply amazing in and of itself as the books react to Juan. There is a little explanation from his uncle, but it's not clear (even to Juan) what his uncle means by it. And it doesn't have to dig deep, either, because adventure doesn't have to. There are moments of tension, seemingly impossible situations, magical surprises, and tons of adventure. Add a new friendship and the magic of working together, and it's definitely a fun read for more than fantasy fans.

I received an ARC and enjoyed the magical ride. show less

Written by one of Mexico's most prolific authors, The Wild Book is for book lovers of all ages. Juan's parents are having marital problems, and he is shipped off to spend the summer with his eccentric Uncle Tito, who lives with his three cats in a home filled with books. He is thrilled about Juan's visit because Juan has a special affinity with the books and Tito hopes he can find the illusive Wild Book. Juan falls hard for Catalina, who works in the pharmacy across the street, and he explores both the library and himself, sometimes with her and sometimes by himself. It was a good adventure story, with both malevolent and helpful books, but the ending, especially Uncle Tito's complete personality changeovers as well as an abrupt ending, show more made this fall short of five stars. show less

Tres estrellitas y media.

No está nada mal el librito, pero sí es muy para niños. No me acaba de convencer Catalina, a veces se comporta super adulta, a veces como niñita. Al final solo está ahí para que el protagonista pueda hacer lo que debe de hacer.

Eso sí, el libro está lleno de frases muy citables sobre los libros, los lectores y la literatura.

La única forma de explicar lo mucho que me gustó esta historia es que vieran que mi libro quedó todo subrayado y anotado. El final lo sentí un tanto apresurado, quizá porque precisamente a Juan se le acababan las vacaciones, pero aún así me gustó y creo que es la lectura perfecta para acercarse por vez primera a Villoro.

Un libro juvenil: confieso que no me atrapó sino hasta el final.

Proprietario: Cristina Bolelli
Prestito: Segala