Westmark

Rating:
Summary: Westmark
Review: Westmark Dell Publishing, 1981, 190pp., $4.50
Lloyd Alexander ISBN: 0-440-9973-3

When was the last time you thought about whether or not it is right to kill someone? Is it ever right to kill someone? Yes? No? Are you sure? To help you with this difficult question, Westmark is an adventurous read that makes you think about the difference between right and wrong. Lloyd Alexander has realistically crafted a tale focusing on the struggles of one virtuous character, Theo.
The story begins with Theo working as a newspaper apprentice to his master named Anton. Theo is an orphan and had several other jobs before Anton took him in. These jobs consisted of ones such as a cooper, a person who repairs barrels. Eventually, he ended up being Anton's apprentice, Theo thinks of him as a father. It seems as if life is going well.
However, one day Theo accepts a request to write an article from a mysterious and wealthy character. With the offer of money, Theo could not refuse and agreed to have the article done by 9:00 AM the next day. Although he considered this task to be pretty impossible, he got himself pretty far along by the time Anton came home and began to help. The two worked diligently until interrupted by a visit from Militia Men. They had come to do a routine inspection, which had not gone as smoothly as planned. This, my fellow readers, is the start of it all. Don't know what "all" refers to? Then I suggest you get a move on and read the book. When you finally do find out, don't worry, because it doesn't end there.
During the story, Theo has two encounters with Las Bombas and Musket. The first was inside a coach after traveling from his hometown Dorning. Musket wanted Theo to leave and after pleading, Theo eventually managed to persuade Musket partially. Musket told him to wait and not go anywhere while he went to get Las Bombas. Las Bombas briefly spoke with Theo about his problems and suggested that he not go back to town. Las Bombas also hinted as to where Theo should go, which ended up being through the fields. Theo took his advice which lead to where they met up again.
During the second encounter, Las Bombas persuaded Theo to go with him. Afterwards, they traveled together and met up with Mickle. At the time she was an unhealthily skinny person. Mickle messed up one of Las Bombas' schemes by throwing her voice an object that was supposed to act as a fortune teller. They ended up making a lot of money which was enough to convince Las Bombas that she would be useful. Despite Las Bombas' scheming nature, Theo was fond of him. Musket would always mind his own business and went along with everything and Mickle is a sensitive girl who up front, pretends to be tough. Her and Theo became really close over time.
Westmark is told in third person and even though it may seem realistic, it is actually a science fiction/fantasy novel as well. The realness of the story connects mostly through Theo. Throughout the story as Theo worked with his friends and watched them trick people out of money, he realized for one of the first times that his own dignity is wavering. Later on, he observed one of his friends named Florian shoot people without hesitation and struggled even more. He found much conflict in his need to be virtuous and dignified. Unfortunately, since the world revolves around such dishonest acts, Theo had a lot coming to him.
I highly recommend Westmark by Lloyd Alexander. He has done an excellent job of weaving a quilt filled with adventure, personal conflict and moral. This book concentrates on realistic issues which helps bring the story to life before your very own eyes. I was captivated by the unfailing suspense, barely allowing me to put the book down. If you need guidance deciding between what's wrong and right in the world, Westmark is the book for you. Regret, you will not feel.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent beginning to an excellent series
Review: Westmark is a thought-provoking and powerfully told tale of decision and consequence. As a novel for young people, it carries its weight well by balancing hard-hitting moral and ethical issues with humor and action. While we hate Cabbarus, who has murdered people who would get in his way, how can he be any more evil than some other characters? Isn't Mickle, who steals, just as guilty? What about Florian, who rebels against the monarchy through violent means? How about Las Bombas, who uses deception and trickery to fill his pockets? Throughout the story, Theo (the main character) is forced to weigh his own ethical standards with these and other characters -- and make the decisions and judgments for himself.

The story is best reserved for late elementary (say 4-6 grade)or middle school students, as some of the situations may be too intense for younger readers. Lovers of Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles will not be disappointed by this series.

Rating:
Summary: Entering Westmark
Review: Westmark was a fairly enjoyable book. However, I often found myself skipping the parts of the intertwined plot. The reason I was confused at first, was that I could not really understand until everything else fell into place. The sections of the book that I felt were confusing were mainly the parts with Cabbarus, the King, and Dr. Torrens. I would not have thought these sections puzzling if they did not interrupt the first main story plot with them, but then again, this style is probably made this a most enjoyable story.

Rating:
Summary: Westmark review
Review: Westmark was an interesting story, however,I did not care for the author's style. When I arrived at the second chapter, I was confused for a time due to the simultaneous plots. Westmark had its roots in the fine detail, but I found it hard to concentrate on when the basic outline of the book was not obvious.

Rating:
Summary: Westmark
Review: WestmarkDell Publishing, 1981, 190pp., $4.50
Lloyd AlexanderISBN: 0-440-9973-3

When was the last time you thought about whether or not it is right to kill someone? Is it ever right to kill someone? Yes? No? Are you sure? To help you with this difficult question, Westmark is an adventurous read that makes you think about the difference between right and wrong. Lloyd Alexander has realistically crafted a tale focusing on the struggles of one virtuous character, Theo.
The story begins with Theo working as a newspaper apprentice to his master named Anton. Theo is an orphan and had several other jobs before Anton took him in. These jobs consisted of ones such as a cooper, a person who repairs barrels. Eventually, he ended up being Anton's apprentice, Theo thinks of him as a father. It seems as if life is going well.
However, one day Theo accepts a request to write an article from a mysterious and wealthy character. With the offer of money, Theo could not refuse and agreed to have the article done by 9:00 AM the next day. Although he considered this task to be pretty impossible, he got himself pretty far along by the time Anton came home and began to help. The two worked diligently until interrupted by a visit from Militia Men. They had come to do a routine inspection, which had not gone as smoothly as planned. This, my fellow readers, is the start of it all. Don't know what "all" refers to? Then I suggest you get a move on and read the book. When you finally do find out, don't worry, because it doesn't end there.
During the story, Theo has two encounters with Las Bombas and Musket. The first was inside a coach after traveling from his hometown Dorning. Musket wanted Theo to leave and after pleading, Theo eventually managed to persuade Musket partially. Musket told him to wait and not go anywhere while he went to get Las Bombas. Las Bombas briefly spoke with Theo about his problems and suggested that he not go back to town. Las Bombas also hinted as to where Theo should go, which ended up being through the fields. Theo took his advice which lead to where they met up again.
During the second encounter, Las Bombas persuaded Theo to go with him. Afterwards, they traveled together and met up with Mickle. At the time she was an unhealthily skinny person. Mickle messed up one of Las Bombas' schemes by throwing her voice an object that was supposed to act as a fortune teller. They ended up making a lot of money which was enough to convince Las Bombas that she would be useful. Despite Las Bombas' scheming nature, Theo was fond of him. Musket would always mind his own business and went along with everything and Mickle is a sensitive girl who up front, pretends to be tough. Her and Theo became really close over time.
Westmark is told in third person and even though it may seem realistic, it is actually a science fiction/fantasy novel as well. The realness of the story connects mostly through Theo. Throughout the story as Theo worked with his friends and watched them trick people out of money, he realized for one of the first times that his own dignity is wavering. Later on, he observed one of his friends named Florian shoot people without hesitation and struggled even more. He found much conflict in his need to be virtuous and dignified. Unfortunately, since the world revolves around such dishonest acts, Theo had a lot coming to him.
I highly recommend Westmark by Lloyd Alexander. He has done an excellent job of weaving a quilt filled with adventure, personal conflict and moral. This book concentrates on realistic issues which helps bring the story to life before your very own eyes. I was captivated by the unfailing suspense, barely allowing me to put the book down. If you need guidance deciding between what's wrong and right in the world, Westmark is the book for you. Regret, you will not feel.