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Summary: 97-page Wonder
Review: Although the picture on the cover is of a soldier, this is far from a "traditional" war novel. While World War II is the turning point of the main character, John's, life, comparitively little of the book deals with John's life as a soldier. Instead, the book focuses on the period between Pearl Harbor (when John is 17), and when John turns 18 and can enlist. The author paints an excellent picure of John as a young man doing normal, ordinary things. He meets a girl (who is against the war), falls in love with her and makes plans of the future, when he is discharged. THe war, however, changes John forever; he is not changed because of a physical wound or anything similar, but in ways I think it's best to let Cynthia Rylant explain. Have I given away too much of the story? I don't think so. Like "Romeo and Juliet," the joy in this book is not the suspense that comes with the unfolding of the plot, but rather the prose and feelings evoked by the author. Highly recomended!
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Summary: I Had Seen Castles
Review: At first I saw a book lying around in my house and I grabbed the book a day before I had to bring it to class or I would've got in trouble. During the time I was reading my book I enjoyed it because it showed another point of view during World WarII. It showed how a soldier suffered in the War mentally and physically.
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Summary: I Had Seen Castles
Review: At first I saw a book lying around in my house and I grabbed the book a day before I had to bring it to class or I would've got in trouble. During the time I was reading my book I enjoyed it because it showed another point of view during World WarII. It showed how a soldier suffered in the War mentally and physically.
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Summary: this book is simply powerful
Review: I can't count the number of times I've read "I Had Seen Castles" since I first picked it up at age 14. For a confused adolescent or a pondering adult, the emotional tale of John Dante strikes a beautiful chord. The book is not long. But its simplicity and honest detail of conflict strikes one powerfully. As a teenager, Dante's remembrances of love, conflict and war introduced me to the ethically and emotionally complicated world of adulthood. His solemn tone makes real the cold realities of obligation and pain and regret. He tells of going to a war that his first love, Ginny, insists will destroy him and it turns out Ginny is right. The story is without flair, and it sounds as if it was plainly spoken by a dejected old man. But the simple words strike the reader powerfully as Rylant taps into some truths about war and life that can bring early wisdom to sensitive youngsters.
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Summary: Don't let this book be forgotten!
Review: I discovered this book last summer and was instantly thrown under its spell. Rylant has, to my knowledge, never written such a truly literary YA novel before, or since. Some of the most lush, touching, haunting and beautiful wordings and phrases appear here, from the very title alone to the final punch ending. A true masterpiece...depicitng maleness in all its contradictory slendor, with compassion and tenderness. Simply unforgettable.
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Summary: Must Read
Review: I had enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. Its antiwar message is one that must be read by all and especially young adults. I caught myself looking up to the sky quite a few times!
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Summary: If you read only one book this year, let it be this one!
Review: I have not read many books until recently and this is one that I am glad I had the opportunity to read. The book expresses such a powerful antiwar message at such a time when war war was encouraged. It was very easy for me to slip into John's shoes throughout the book and often times found myself looking to the sky.
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Summary: Short but Deep
Review: One word came to me when I finished this short novel: profound. It switched from the present tense: a 67 year old man in Toronto, writing his memoirs, to the memoirs themselves: the man as a 17 year old boy preparing to fight in WWII. It was written in sparse prose, but the brief words easily conveyed the feelings of the boy as he faced the reality of war. It was a quick read but one that I know will stay with me for a long time. I would strongly suggest this novel to anyone interested in WWII, or anyone in the mood for a profound read.
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Summary: Michelle's Review
Review: The book I Had Seen Castles is probably one of the best books i've ever read. The author definitely gave you a feelin that you were right there with the characters. This short novel is waht i will absolutely call good literature. Cynthia Rylant was giving he inside message of the war. She made it feel like the main caharacter, John, took your hand and brought you through a journey of his life in the 1940's. How he grew up in Pittsburgh, to his first love, and to the war. This book may not be that long, but youn get very descriptives visions of the war. The main characters said while he was in war, " The pictures in Life may have shown suffereing and death to the people back home, but they never showed dismemberment." This book takes you farther than what you see in the news and books, it takes you to the point you get a chill down your spine. When my friend gave me this bok, i thought it was going to be another boring war book, but i was way off. This is definately a book you never want to stop reading. The character seem so real and their emotions are so intense. You actually feel for the characters, thei pain, suffereing, and loss. I never would expect such a short novel would be this good. I would definately recomend this to anyone whoe wants to read a book that isn't too long, and tos oembody who never knew what war was beyond Life and Time magazine.
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Summary: If you read only one book this year, let it be this one!
Review: The emotions of a time period and the journey of adulthood begins in one brief moment for John as war and love surround him. If you are fascinated by WWII, or believe in first love then this is the book you've always waited to read. Short and concise, yet more powerful than any other story I've read. I'm buying copies for all the readers in my family! You won't be disappointed.
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