Publisher: Penguin Books
Release Date: Reprint edition (May 29, 2012)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 3336
Source: Library Borrow
Genre: General Fiction
Review Date: November 5, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Book synopsis: Lucy Hull, a young children's librarian in Hannibal, Missouri, finds herself both a kidnapper and kidnapped when her favorite patron, ten- year-old Ian Drake, runs away from home. The precocious Ian is addicted to reading, but needs Lucy's help to smuggle books past his overbearing mother, who has enrolled Ian in weekly antigay classes with celebrity Pastor Bob. Lucy stumbles into a moral dilemma when she finds Ian camped out in the library after hours with a knapsack of provisions and an escape plan. Desperate to save him from Pastor Bob and the Drakes, Lucy allows herself to be hijacked by Ian. The odd pair embarks on a crazy road trip from Missouri to Vermont, with ferrets, an inconvenient boyfriend, and upsetting family history thrown in their path. But is it just Ian who is running away? Who is the man who seems to be on their tail? And should Lucy be trying to save a boy from his own parents?
Release Date: Reprint edition (May 29, 2012)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 3336
Source: Library Borrow
Genre: General Fiction
Review Date: November 5, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Book synopsis: Lucy Hull, a young children's librarian in Hannibal, Missouri, finds herself both a kidnapper and kidnapped when her favorite patron, ten- year-old Ian Drake, runs away from home. The precocious Ian is addicted to reading, but needs Lucy's help to smuggle books past his overbearing mother, who has enrolled Ian in weekly antigay classes with celebrity Pastor Bob. Lucy stumbles into a moral dilemma when she finds Ian camped out in the library after hours with a knapsack of provisions and an escape plan. Desperate to save him from Pastor Bob and the Drakes, Lucy allows herself to be hijacked by Ian. The odd pair embarks on a crazy road trip from Missouri to Vermont, with ferrets, an inconvenient boyfriend, and upsetting family history thrown in their path. But is it just Ian who is running away? Who is the man who seems to be on their tail? And should Lucy be trying to save a boy from his own parents?
This book is different...very different. I started reading this a little over 3 weeks ago. I read a few pages (about 30 or so) on two different occasions then I finally forced myself to read the rest of the book yesterday morning. I have to talk about it at book club, so I couldn't put if off any longer.
I initially wanted to read this book because I love libraries. I also liked that the book centered around a librarian. I don't think I've ever read about about a librarian before. After reading this book, I glanced at the reviews to see others take on it. Many have raved about this book, and many hated it. For me, I liked it. It wasn't bad nor was it outstanding. I liked the pace of the book and I liked the story over all.
I initially wanted to read this book because I love libraries. I also liked that the book centered around a librarian. I don't think I've ever read about about a librarian before. After reading this book, I glanced at the reviews to see others take on it. Many have raved about this book, and many hated it. For me, I liked it. It wasn't bad nor was it outstanding. I liked the pace of the book and I liked the story over all.
This story is all about Lucy wanting to protect Ian from his own parents. I understand her motives, I just don't agree with her methods. Putting what I disliked about Lucy aside, the book was written is such a way that wasn't boring. It kept my attention from pg 30-336, in one sitting. With that said, I still had a hard time relating to Lucy. Not only did I have a hard time with Lucy, I could not believe Ian either. He's a very manipulative little boy. My niece is 10, she'll be 11 in a few weeks. She NEVER has had tantrums like this little boy did. It's crazy to me how he was able to manipulate Lucy. That's really how she got into this disaster of a situation. Too bad she couldn't think her way around a 10 year old's manipulation. Then again, maybe she didn't want to, and his "kidnapping" her was a good excuse for her to help him. Lucy is clearly missing the voice of reason that tells you not to do something. Even though the entire time she has thoughts of getting arrested, it's like she couldn't stop the train once it left the stop. I can't not believe she got away with what she did. Yes, her intentions were good at heart, but she totally crossed the line and had no consequences at all. This story was totally void of realism in that regard.
I'm not really sure how I feel about the supporting characters, especially Lucy's dad. He sounds like a great role model there...(can you hear my sarcasm?). Then this random piano player Lucy carries on with. Really there is no purpose to that story line. I think that he just helps pad the story more.
Ian's parents seem pretty lame to be quit frank. Trying to un-gayify (is that even a word!) your child? That's sad. Not letting him read or do anything that's not religious? That's even more sad. We don't live in boxes. In my personal opinion, sheltering children to that extent does nothing but hurt them in the long run. I can totally see Ian rebelling completely as he gets older and even into adulthood.
Even though unrealistic, I'm happy with the ending. I'm glad that nothing detrimental happened to Ian, and maybe he learned a lot along his road trip with Ms.Hull, his favorite librarian.
This story touches a lot of hot spots for people. Homosexuality, religion, parenting, etc. I recommend this book for book clubs because I'm sure there will be some heated conversations and varying perspectives on this book.
I'm not really sure how I feel about the supporting characters, especially Lucy's dad. He sounds like a great role model there...(can you hear my sarcasm?). Then this random piano player Lucy carries on with. Really there is no purpose to that story line. I think that he just helps pad the story more.
Ian's parents seem pretty lame to be quit frank. Trying to un-gayify (is that even a word!) your child? That's sad. Not letting him read or do anything that's not religious? That's even more sad. We don't live in boxes. In my personal opinion, sheltering children to that extent does nothing but hurt them in the long run. I can totally see Ian rebelling completely as he gets older and even into adulthood.
Even though unrealistic, I'm happy with the ending. I'm glad that nothing detrimental happened to Ian, and maybe he learned a lot along his road trip with Ms.Hull, his favorite librarian.
This story touches a lot of hot spots for people. Homosexuality, religion, parenting, etc. I recommend this book for book clubs because I'm sure there will be some heated conversations and varying perspectives on this book.
