After the Twelfth Night by A. G. Werff
When the Tintin movie was made, the director - or writer - said something to the effect of, with all the movies about gun fights and government conspiracies he wanted to do a good old fashioned adventure. That is exactly what Abbey's book is.
The story starts out with the former pirate Anthony locked up in prison. He is freed, along with a slightly wild - and very hungry - boy named Antonio. One thing leads to another, and soon the two and their friends are caught in the middle of pirates, treasure hunts, and mysterious islands. (Slightly mysterious. It had some mysteries to it.)
I have a hard time describing this book. I loved it. It was fast paced and full of adventure. But it isn't a typical adventure book. A lot of what happens to the characters boarders on unbelievable, though Abbey still pulls it off. The best way I've been able to explain it is that she has somehow captured Herge's style, only without needing pictures. By this I mean that Herge created an elusive character with no back story and almost no distinct personality. Tintin is like a blank slate and we can all become him because we know so little about him. But I think the reason the stories work so well is because of the pictures. We can see Tintin. While reading the books I was always left wondering if it would be possible to create characters just as open and "blank" as Tintin just using words. Abbey has proven it is possible.
There is not a lot of detail given on the characters. The reader knows certain, basic traits about them but there is no real hard depth. And while this shouldn't have worked, it did. The characters were alive because I, as the reader, was able to put myself in their shoes and become them. It was a wonderful reading experience and I loved it.
Same with the characters, the plot has a simpler feel to it. It isn't deep and complicated, it is lots of running around and chases and fast adventures. It has a fun feel to it. After all, who says all plots need deep, hidden meanings and twists and turns?
This is one of my top favourite books now and I highly recommend it. As well as Abbey's blog, which can be found HERE!
ISN'T THE COVER AMAZING?!
When the Tintin movie was made, the director - or writer - said something to the effect of, with all the movies about gun fights and government conspiracies he wanted to do a good old fashioned adventure. That is exactly what Abbey's book is.
The story starts out with the former pirate Anthony locked up in prison. He is freed, along with a slightly wild - and very hungry - boy named Antonio. One thing leads to another, and soon the two and their friends are caught in the middle of pirates, treasure hunts, and mysterious islands. (Slightly mysterious. It had some mysteries to it.)
I have a hard time describing this book. I loved it. It was fast paced and full of adventure. But it isn't a typical adventure book. A lot of what happens to the characters boarders on unbelievable, though Abbey still pulls it off. The best way I've been able to explain it is that she has somehow captured Herge's style, only without needing pictures. By this I mean that Herge created an elusive character with no back story and almost no distinct personality. Tintin is like a blank slate and we can all become him because we know so little about him. But I think the reason the stories work so well is because of the pictures. We can see Tintin. While reading the books I was always left wondering if it would be possible to create characters just as open and "blank" as Tintin just using words. Abbey has proven it is possible.
There is not a lot of detail given on the characters. The reader knows certain, basic traits about them but there is no real hard depth. And while this shouldn't have worked, it did. The characters were alive because I, as the reader, was able to put myself in their shoes and become them. It was a wonderful reading experience and I loved it.
Same with the characters, the plot has a simpler feel to it. It isn't deep and complicated, it is lots of running around and chases and fast adventures. It has a fun feel to it. After all, who says all plots need deep, hidden meanings and twists and turns?
This is one of my top favourite books now and I highly recommend it. As well as Abbey's blog, which can be found HERE!
Thanks for the review, Jack! I'm so glad you enjoyed my book!
ReplyDeleteThat was what I thought about this book. If you enjoy Tintin, you'd enjoy this book. They have a similar feel.
ReplyDelete