Category Archives: Reviews

Book reviews, movie reviews, TV show reviews.

Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

May 11, 2024Journal, Reviews, PolishE.S.O. Martin

Stealing Hope: The Story of The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is the story of Liesel Meminger, a girl on the cusp of puberty, living with foster parents, the Hubermanns, in Nazi Germany. The book is narrated by Death, as he jumps back and forth through narrative time.

It is hard to comprehend the horrors of war. What this book attempts to do is step away from the atrocities and war crimes of World War II—which can sometimes seem too huge and horrible to understand—and it seeks to shrink the impact down to the size of one little girl.

This book is written for a young adult audience in mind, and is probably the kind of book that would be assigned in class as part of a World War II unit in junior high or high school. The atrocities of the Holocaust are mentioned, but the book does not go into graphic detail about it. There is a sense of Bad Things happening in the background—bad things are happening to other people—but the horror is never really experienced as a first-person event, as it is in Anne Frank’s diaries, or in Elie Wiesel’s Night. It’s more intellectual and poetically sad—rather than visceral.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about this book.

On the one hand, The Book Thief is beautifully written. Without a doubt.

I sympathized with Liesel and the Hubermanns. I felt for the powerlessness of Max Vandenberg, the Jewish fist-fighter that the Hubermanns hid in their basement. I felt for Rudy Steiner, Liesel’s friend. In a lot of ways, these characters were stuck between a rock and a hard place and had no good choices.

But I’ll admit, it was hard for me to read this book. As a Polish-American with living family members who survived Auschwitz, reading about how hard WW II was for these fictional German characters felt a bit disloyal to me.

My real-life family fought in the Polish resistance. I had family members who were killed by Nazis. My family survived the concentration camps and suffered greatly under their German and Russian occupiers. Where is the sympathy for them?

What was redeeming about The Book Thief is that it shows how hard it is to be a moral person and to feel like you are having a good impact when your government is doing terrible things. Sometimes, the whole world goes sideways, and very few of us actually have any power or control in making it better, other than small acts of resistance. For Liesel, her small act of resistance is in stealing books, and in protecting Max Vandenberg and his story.

When I look to the world we currently live in and the heartless choices our own governments make, I have to admit, I feel a little bit powerless and overwhelmed. The humanitarian crisis at our boarders. The wars. The bombings. The terror. The global warming. The overfishing. The factory farms. What power do I have to change these horrible things?

I have voted in every election since I turned 18, but my vote has usually gone to the losing side. Sometimes I feel like my tiny little voice is inconsequential, that nobody cares. I often feel baffled by the choices and attitudes of my fellow Americans.

Books like The Book Thief are a reminder that doing something is better than doing nothing. Any act of resistance is better than being silent and complacent. So I continue to vote. I continue to support causes I believe in.

I continue to eat vegan, because that single choice has the largest real-world impact on my health, on the environment, on feminism, and in the ethics of how we treat animals and other people.

It’s important for my own sense of integrity to feel like I’m doing something.

Because not doing so would feel like giving up.

If cynicism is complacent obedience to The Man, then optimism is civil disobedience.

I refuse to give up, because I believe future generations deserve better. When my future grandchildren come up to me and ask what I did to try to stop the world from burning, I will not be like those complacent Germans in the 1930s and 1940s who did nothing because they “had no idea.” My acts of resistance make it easier for me to look myself in the mirror.

Thank you very much for reading this review of ‘The Book Thief.’ If you would like to be notified about more reviews like these, or if you would like to get updates about my own works in progress, please consider signing up for my Reader’s Club newsletter.

Book Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

May 4, 2024Journal, ReviewsE.S.O. Martin

In the shadowed corridors of grief and adolescence, Patrick Ness’s A Monster Calls stands as a beacon of raw emotional storytelling. Originally conceived by Siobhan Dowd during her final days, the novel is a poignant exploration of a child’s journey through loss, brought to life with the haunting illustrations of Jim Kay.

The Heart of the Story:

At its core, A Monster Calls is the tale of 13-year-old Connor O’Malley, who grapples with the impending loss of his mother to a terminal illness. Connor’s life is a battleground of internal and external conflicts—from the bullies at school to the turmoil at home, where neither his estranged father nor his rigid grandmother offer solace. Amidst this turmoil, Connor finds an unlikely confidant in a monstrous Yew tree that comes to life, weaving tales that blur the lines between moral fables and harsh realities.

A Journey Through Grief:

Ness masterfully navigates the labyrinth of Connor’s emotions, portraying a character who is at once vulnerable and resilient. The monster’s tales serve as a mirror to Connor’s psyche, revealing the complexities of human nature and the painful, often messy process of coming to terms with loss. The climax, where Connor confronts his deepest fear, is a cathartic release, a raw acknowledgment of the powerlessness and rage that accompanies grief.

The Power of Storytelling:

What sets this novel apart is its unflinching honesty in addressing the depth of a child’s emotions. Ness does not shy away from the dark and tumultuous; instead, he delves deep, presenting a narrative that is both harrowing and healing. The book’s acknowledgment that children can harbor profound grief and rage, and yet remain innocent, is a narrative feat that resonates deeply.

Jim Kay’s illustrations are more than mere accompaniments to the text; they are narratives in their own right. Stark, evocative, and beautifully unsettling, the artwork enhances the story’s emotional depth, making the monster and Connor’s journey all the more tangible.

A Monster Calls struck a chord with me for its unapologetic exploration of the darker facets of childhood. This novel, while a work of fiction, touches on universal truths about pain, loss, and healing. Grief and loss are too powerful to have to bear alone. If you, or someone you know, is hurting, please reach out to someone you trust for comfort and help.

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UPDATE — This blog post includes text and images generated with the assistance of OpenAI’s models. I provided detailed prompts, curated the outputs, and made edits, but the majority of the content was created with AI assistance. This disclosure aligns with my commitment to transparency under the EU AI Act. Disclosure added on November 18, 2024 to align with transparency requirements under the EU AI Act.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Portions of this content were generated using OpenAI’s models, with significant curation, editing, and creative input by E. S. O. Martin. AI-generated portions may not be subject to copyright under current laws.

Book Review: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

April 20, 2024Polish, Journal, ReviewsE.S.O. Martin

Jodi Picoult’s The Storyteller weaves a complex tapestry of narratives that delve into the depths of human guilt, redemption, and the enduring impact of historical atrocities on personal identities and familial legacies. Through the intertwining lives of Sage Singer, a baker grappling with the loss of her mother, Josef Weber, an elderly man with a dark secret, and Malinka, a Holocaust survivor, Picoult challenges the reader to confront the uncomfortable moral ambiguities of justice and forgiveness.

Interwoven Narratives:

At the heart of the novel is Sage Singer, who, while trying to navigate her own sea of grief and guilt, encounters Josef Weber, a beloved community figure with a hidden past as a Nazi commander. This revelation sets off a moral quandary for Sage, whose Jewish heritage and familial connections to the Holocaust, through her grandmother Malinka—a survivor of Auschwitz—deepens the narrative’s exploration of historical memory and its implications for the present.

Malinka’s storyline provides a harrowing glimpse into the Holocaust’s dehumanizing brutality, capturing the desperation, resilience, and the indomitable will to survive amidst unthinkable horrors. Her stories, particularly the haunting dark fantasy tale she composed during her imprisonment, serve as a testament to the power of storytelling as a means of endurance and escape from the grim reality of the concentration camps.

Themes of Endurance and the Power of Storytelling:

Picoult masterfully uses the motif of storytelling as a form of resistance against the erasure of history and the diminishment of human suffering. Malinka’s fantastical horror story, set in a Polish village plagued by mysterious disappearances and vampiric entities, not only provides a stark contrast to the real-life terror of Auschwitz but also underscores the vital role of imagination as a sanctuary from pain.

The novel’s exploration of the complexities of survivorship—highlighting the roles of luck, endurance, guilt, and the human capacity for both cruelty and kindness—resonates deeply with those familiar with the lasting scars of historical traumas. Malinka’s role as storyteller shows that stories serve a crucial function in offering temporary respite from pain. This is a nuanced perspective on the value of literature and art in coping with grief and trauma.

Personal Reflections:

This book had personal significance for me, because both my grandmother and great-grandmother survived the horrors of Auschwitz. The Storyteller acknowledges the generational pain, and the cathartic power of storytelling in processing and understanding trauma.

The Storyteller is not just a novel; it’s an invitation to reflect on the multifaceted nature of humanity and the indelible impact of our histories on our present selves.

For those drawn to stories that venture into the shadows to find the light, I encourage you to join my Reader’s Club newsletter. Here, we explore tales that, much like Picoult’s narrative, navigate the intricate dance between darkness and redemption, offering insights into both the fantastical and the all-too-real aspects of our existence. Together, let’s explore the stories that shape us, haunt us, and ultimately, heal us.

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Book Review: Doll Bones by Holly Black

April 6, 2024Journal, ReviewsE.S.O. Martin

The Last Adventure: Tackling the Threshold of Adulthood in ‘Doll Bones’

In the enchanting realm of middle-grade literature, Holly Black’s Doll Bones emerges as a hauntingly beautiful narrative that transcends the boundaries of imagination and reality. This Newbery Award-winning novel is a testament to the bittersweet journey of growing up, told through the eyes of three inseparable friends: Zach, Poppy, and Alice.

The Heart of Childhood Adventures:

Zach, Poppy, and Alice have shared countless adventures, animating their toys and action figures with rich, fantastical stories. But as the cusp of adolescence looms, their friendship faces the inevitable tides of change. Zach grapples with his father’s expectations to abandon child’s play, Alice confronts the bewildering changes of puberty, and Poppy fears losing her friends and being left behind.

A Haunting Quest:

The narrative takes a compelling turn when Poppy reveals that a porcelain doll, locked away in her home, whispers of its haunted past. This revelation sets the trio on an unexpected journey, a final adventure that weaves the threads of friendship with the eerie lore of the doll’s ghostly origins. Their quest to unravel the mystery of a girl’s disappearance and to lay the doll’s spirit to rest is as much about confronting their personal demons as it is about solving the enigma.

A Creepy, Captivating Tale:

Doll Bones strikes a perfect balance between the eerie and the profound, making it a page-turning read for middle graders and adults alike. Holly Black’s mastery in crafting a story that is creepy yet not overly graphic is commendable. The novel delves deep into the essence of friendship, the pain of letting go, and the courage to step into the unknown.

The characters, with their distinct fears and dreams, are brought to life with such empathy and depth that readers of all ages will find echoes of their own childhoods within these pages.

Doll Bones is more than a story; it’s a reflection on the thresholds we cross from childhood to adolescence, marked by the relics of our innocence and the strength we muster to face the unknown. Holly Black has indeed woven a tapestry rich with the hues of nostalgia, friendship, and the thrilling chill of a ghostly tale.

For those enchanted by the allure of Doll Bones and the exploration of friendships tinged with the supernatural, I invite you to join my Reader’s Club newsletter. Dive deeper into the world of enchanting reads, stay updated on my works in progress, and explore the Slavic Spirits series, where I unravel the myths and legends of the Slavs. Let’s embark on this journey of storytelling together, where magic knows no bounds, and every tale is a doorway to a new adventure.

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Book Review: The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony Diterlizzi

March 30, 2024Journal, ReviewsE.S.O. Martin

Where Fairies Lurk: A Journey into the Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicle is a captivating series that invites readers into a world where the line between the mundane and the magical is blurred. Written by Holly Black with enchanting illustrations by Tony Diterlizzi, the series is divided into two parts: the original quintet and a sequel trilogy titled Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles.

This series will captivate readers who revel in tales where the real and the fantastical intertwine, especially appealing to middle-grade readers who appreciate a darker, more authentic take on childhood adventures.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

The original series follows the Grace children – Jared, Simon, and Mallory – as they uncover a hidden world of faeries and other fantastical beings upon moving into the decrepit Spiderwick Estate.

1. The Field Guide: The siblings discover Arthur Spiderwick’s field guide and the unseen world it reveals.

2. The Seeing Stone: With a magical stone, Jared sees the invisible world, leading to a daring rescue.

3. Lucinda’s Secret: The Graces seek their great-aunt Lucinda’s wisdom, delving deeper into the mystery.

4. The Ironwood Tree: A kidnapping at school drags the siblings into a deeper, darker adventure.

5. The Wrath of Mulgarath: The ultimate confrontation with Mulgarath to save their mother and the guide.

Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles

This sequel-series to the Spiderwick Chronicles follows eleven-year-old Nick Vargas, his big brother Julian, and their new step-sister Laurie as they discover giants, mermaids, and fire-breathing salamanders who threaten their Florida home. Jared, Simon, and Mallory from the original series also make guest appearances.

1. The Nixie’s Song: A new adventure with a nixie’s cry for help, introducing new characters and challenges.

2. A Giant Problem: The children face off against a destructive giant, testing their courage and ingenuity.

3. The Wyrm King: The thrilling conclusion, where the siblings confront the serpent king to restore balance.

Storyteller and Artist Complement Each Other in The Spiderwick Chronicles:

Holly Black’s writing in “The Spiderwick Chronicles” stands out for its acknowledgment of the darker, more perilous aspects of childhood. The series does not shy away from showing that children can and do face real dangers, adding a layer of authenticity to their encounters with the fairy realm.

Tony Diterlizzi’s art breathes life into this shadowy world. His black-and-white illustrations are a window into the eerie and the whimsical, perfectly capturing the essence of each character and creature. The slightly unsettling depiction of goblins adds a tangible sense of danger, complementing Black’s narrative beautifully.

If you’ve been enthralled by the adventures of the Grace children and the magical world they navigate, I invite you to join me on a similar journey into the heart of Slavic folklore. I’m currently working on a collection of Slavic fairy tales for children, where the mystical and the monstrous coexist in stories that are as inspiring as they are instructive. By subscribing to my email list, you’ll gain insight into a world where “the sight” might reveal Baba Yaga’s hut on chicken legs or a domovoi guarding the hearth. Let’s explore these enchanting tales together and discover the magic hidden in plain sight.

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Book Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series by Ransom Riggs

March 23, 2024Journal, ReviewsE.S.O. Martin

From Vintage Photos to Vivid Fantasies: The Art of Being Peculiar

Ransom Riggs’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a series that stands out in the young adult genre, weaving a tapestry of eerie vintage photographs into a narrative teeming with supernatural powers and hidden sanctuaries. What sets this series apart is not just its unique storytelling method, but its exploration of what it means to be special in a world that fears the extraordinary.

One of the interesting features of this series is that its writing was inspired by eerie vintage photographs, which Ransom Riggs has woven into the books.

This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite young adult series.

In 2016, the first book in the series was made into a movie by Tim Burton.

Series Overview:

1. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children — Introduces Jacob, who discovers the reality behind his grandfather’s tales of a home sheltering children with extraordinary abilities, upon visiting a mysterious island which has a time loop that takes Jacob back to the 1940s.

2. Hollow City — Jacob and his peculiar friends embark on a journey across war-torn Europe, seeking to cure Miss Peregrine, who is stuck in bird form.

3. Library of Souls — The peculiars face a formidable foe and uncover new aspects of the peculiar world, leading to a thrilling quest for liberation and identity.

4. A Map of Days — The peculiars venture into America, exploring new time loops and confronting the challenges of a vastly different world.

5. The Conference of the Birds — Jacob’s story takes a turn as he follows clues that might lead to a powerful new ally.

6. The Desolation of Devil’s Acre — The series concludes with a climactic battle, testing the peculiar’s strength, resolve, and the very nature of their peculiarities.

Tales of the Peculiar — A short story collection of fairy tales set in the world of the peculiar. Throughout the series, Jacob and his friends keep referencing a book called “Tales of the Peculiar,” which has stories about imbrins, children who can remove nightmares from people’s dreams, and stories of boys turning into birds, and stories of cannibals. This is that book. It is a sort of “Grimm’s Book of Fairy Tales” for the Peculiar World.

Jacob’s journey from grief to the discovery of his own peculiarities is both a thrilling adventure and a chillingly eerie tale of self-discovery. Riggs masterfully crafts a narrative that is as haunting as it is beautiful, making “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” a series that will resonate deeply with any reader who has ever felt out of place. Although these book were written for a young adult audience, I definitely felt like they had an emotional depth that would resonate with adults as well.

What I adored the most about this series is its ability to transport readers into a world where the peculiar is celebrated, and the boundaries of reality are expanded by the power of imagination. Riggs doesn’t talk down to his audience. These books are a poignant reminder of the magic that lies in accepting our own peculiarities and in how empowering it is to find a tribe of your own, even if your family of origin rejects you.

If you liked this review, feel free to share it with a friend and/or sign up for my VIP Reader’s Club so that you can get blog posts like these straight to your inbox. Members of my Reader’s Club also get updates on my works in progress, and exclusive offers.

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