Over the weekend I read Goodnight Mr Tom... I've had it on my bookcase for ages, and I've been meaning to read it for a while. I've never read a review, but it's just one of those books that you *know* is going to be good, because everyone else thinks so. Well. That's what I thought before the weekend. Now, I'm wondering how on earth it got so famous. On a technical note, the writing's not particularly good. I know, I know, it's a kids book- but still. Far too many declaratives, and it just seemed really disjointed. That wasn't helped by the way that it skipped bits, and gave the barest details of those times. But okay, let's put the writing aside. In terms of the plot and characters? It's a no from me. The plot was entirely unrealistic, and just really really tragic. I loved the idea of an old grumpy man learning to love again through caring for a boy with a difficult past. I thought that was beautiful. It was just really badly executed, largely because everything happened far too quickly. That would never happen in real life!! As well as that, it was really overly traumatic. A kids book? With all of *that* (avoiding spoilers!!) going on?! By the final tragic event, I was pretty much done with all the tragedy. In addition, Will was never really given time to react to it... And I felt that a key bit of character development was left out when his role in the Christmas play wasn't mentioned. This shy, painfully quiet child has just got a lead role, and the man who's notoriously reclusive has offered to lead the choir- and there was no actual description of either of those events. Big character development holes. The only good thing about it really was Carrie. And of course I'd say that. Woo for girls in education!!
Anyway, overall, I was heartily disappointed with it, and don't think it's worth the hype it's recieved over the years. According to my copy it's 'the best book about World War Two' (or some such). I think not!!
Anyone else read it?? Please do tell me what you thought!! Maybeit has some redeeming features I could grow to love?!