Title: AugustAuthor: Bernard Beckett
Release Date: 28th February 2011
My Rating: 2/5
Blurb:
Trapped in a car wreck, upside down, bleeding, broken and in pain, Tristan and Grace are staring at death. When dawn breaks, they might be seen from the road and rescued, or not.
They wait, desperately holding onto life, unravelling the sequence of events that brought them together.
Tristan is a philosopher struggling with the question of free will. Grace's life of hardship allows no place for such ideas. But a brief encounter changes their lives, setting them on a collision course with love and death, and each other.
Part philosophical thriller, part love story, August is a compelling novel about will, freedom and what it means to live.
My Review:
August was quite the head-tripper and wasn't at all what I was expecting. It is set in an alternative time where a Holy Council is in control and those who are not worthy, live beyond the city walls. Both Tristan and Grace are originally from inside these walls but as their individual stories unfold, we discover the paths they took which led them to inhabit the outer regions and the circumstances that have led to their paths crossing on this fateful night.
It wasn't until I was well into the book that I realised August is not really aimed at the young adult market, more adult or at the least, upper secondary. Like Genesis, one of Beckett's previous releases, it questions human nature and is a philosophical thriller. It looks at human weakness, free will and probability. I personally struggled with it due to the content as I am not one to ponder philosophy and religion. However, I do enjoy Beckett's style of writing, and am eager to try Jolt and Malcolm and Juliet as they sound a little more up my alley, but unfortunately, August was not for me.
Teachers notes can be found here.
My review of Genesis is here.
They wait, desperately holding onto life, unravelling the sequence of events that brought them together.
Tristan is a philosopher struggling with the question of free will. Grace's life of hardship allows no place for such ideas. But a brief encounter changes their lives, setting them on a collision course with love and death, and each other.
Part philosophical thriller, part love story, August is a compelling novel about will, freedom and what it means to live.
My Review:
August was quite the head-tripper and wasn't at all what I was expecting. It is set in an alternative time where a Holy Council is in control and those who are not worthy, live beyond the city walls. Both Tristan and Grace are originally from inside these walls but as their individual stories unfold, we discover the paths they took which led them to inhabit the outer regions and the circumstances that have led to their paths crossing on this fateful night.
It wasn't until I was well into the book that I realised August is not really aimed at the young adult market, more adult or at the least, upper secondary. Like Genesis, one of Beckett's previous releases, it questions human nature and is a philosophical thriller. It looks at human weakness, free will and probability. I personally struggled with it due to the content as I am not one to ponder philosophy and religion. However, I do enjoy Beckett's style of writing, and am eager to try Jolt and Malcolm and Juliet as they sound a little more up my alley, but unfortunately, August was not for me.
Teachers notes can be found here.
My review of Genesis is here.
Good review. Got me curious about the book. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove this cover
ReplyDeleteAw. I got a copy of this at the Inside a Dog launch and I am looking forward to starting it. From what people say it's good to have no expectations! I hope he goes back to YA soon.
ReplyDeletea philosophical thriller! it sounds like you have ot think a little.
ReplyDeletethanks for the review which means i know a bit more about what to expect :)
Great honest review. I am intrigued by this. It sounds like it deals with some complex issues. I like the sound of the philosphy but I'm not so sure about the Holy Council side of things. Seeming as I haven't read Genesis yet, I'll give that a go first and then if I like that, I'll see if I can get this from Book Depo.
ReplyDeleteSorry this wasn't for you. I am still super excited to read this. Sounds so unique :)
ReplyDelete