I have to start by saying Going Bovine was one of the strangest books I have read in a long time. I really enjoy fantasy, and I know this isn't strictly fantasy, but Dulcie, Balder, Dr.X, and snow globe imprisonment is awfully close to fantasy in my book. Going Bovine is the 2010 Printz Award winner.
Overall, I found the premise interesting, the storyline initially funny, but the gratuitous use of foul language, excessive details, extremely long dream scenes, and half formed characters(the family) really made this book bog down for me. Weighing in at nearly 500 pages, I had to struggle to get through it. I wanted to know more about Cameron, his twin and his family. Once I discovered that Cameron is dying, I wanted to learn how his family and friends are reacting. His dream state adventures are fun and entertaining, but even they got old. The more I think about it, I think my reactions to this book come from my experiences as an adult and mother. What I look for in a book is often wildly different than what kids are looking for and this creates a dilemma when reviewing books.
Honestly, I am not sure how to sell this book, maybe that's because I didn't enjoy it, but I know there are teens out there who will. Just take a look at reviews and you find plenty. Bray writes from the point of view of a 16 year old boy. She includes the trifecta of drugs, sex, and music - this often draws teen readers. I would recommend this title for high school students, especially those that are into quirky, artsy type books, and students willing to stick with the book for the long haul. Readers that are easily offended by language, drug use, and sex should steer clear. I don't think there will be a huge audience for this book, but some will really get it and love it. I would read the following as a hook. I think it includes the crazy fantasy aspect, as well as the, "I'm going to save the world." aspect.
“As a kid, I imagined lots of different scenarios for my life. I would be an astronaut. Maybe a cartoonist. A famous explorer or a rock star. Never once did I see myself standing under the window of a house belonging to some druggie named Carbine, waiting for his yard gnome to steal his stash so I could get a cab back to a cheap motel where my friend, a neurotic, death-obsessed dwarf, was waiting for me so we could get on the road to an undefined place and a mysterious Dr X, who would cure me from mad cow disease and stop a band of dark energy from destroying the universe”.
Wow, just reading your book hook makes me see why it was so tough for you to get through this, was there a period anywhere in that paragraph? I do think the story line sounds interesting especially reading that Cameron is dying makes me want to read it to find out more about him and how his family is reacting.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about the difference between you liking the book and teens liking the book. Reading reviews helps, so thanks for including the info regarding reviews of this book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that this book has some serious flaws. I know Susan really loved it, but I just could not get into it. I did love her Gemma Doyle trilogy & recommend it to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI am reading this book right now for my choice post and I agree with you that it has some flaws (one being it was way too long). I really enjoy the angel though, she just cracks me up with the wings and the pink hair!
ReplyDeleteWow-good for you for finishing the book even though you weren't crazy about it! I'm not so sure I would enjoy it, but yes, teens would probably be crazy for it!
ReplyDeleteAfter hearing you talk about this book for the past couple of weeks, I am reluctant to read it. (I bought it, so I guess I'll have to read it eventually!) Great point about the different interests of teen and adult readers.
ReplyDeleteWith so many young adult novels out there it is hard to pick what would appeal to the most readers. I know a lot of students I have talked to really loved this book but I can see how the writing style would get really annoying.
ReplyDeleteOlder girls (sigh!) who like reading off-beat things are probably the target audience. The movement between the fantasy (is this where Cameron's imagination is going on drugs? if so his last days are happy ones!) and the short stops in reality with his grieving parents were what I liked about the book.
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