The Borrower
Rebecca Makkai
June 2011
336 nookish pages
Published by Penguin
********************
Lucy Hull is an underachieving, vaguely anti-social children’s librarian who is kidnapped by one of her favorite young patrons.
Ian Drake is a precocious, vaguely obnoxious, possibly gay boy of 10 who is kidnapped by his favorite librarian.
So which is it, you ask? Well, both. Sort of.
Ian’s very religious parents are convinced their son exhibits gayish tendencies (my words to best describe their narrow minded behavior), so they send him to anti-gay classes. Lucy is appalled and convinced Ian needs to be rescued. Ian, however, is pretty much oblivious to these undercurrents. All he wants to do is read. However, his controlling mother doesn’t like any of the books he wants to read. So Ian decides to run away. Ian sort of blackmails Lucy into helping out, and Lucy comes up with a bunch of convoluted lies and convinces herself that she really is kidnapping Ian.
I know, it sounds ridiculous. And it mostly is. Lucy makes a bunch of very bad decisions, and she’s really not that likeable of a person. Neither is Ian, for that matter. But this is a very likeable book, mostly because there is so much about books in it.
This is already on my wishlist. Any book about books is must have for me:)
sakura´s last [type] ..Literary Giveaway Blog Hop Winners!
Me, too…I’m a sucker for books like this.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
I’m really excited to read this book. It sounds so funny, but the library hold list is a million miles long.
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last [type] ..6 Lessons Learned from a Month of Blogging
I wish more books were lendable via e-readers!
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
This is the second time I’ve heard about this book in less than 48 hours. A sign from the gods? Perhaps. Perhaps I just read that many blogs.
Still it looks different, which is ALWAYS a plus in my book.
Sounds like a great book.
OMG this sounds good, Jill!! You’re totally getting a bad bloggers point for this!! And I like the “nookish pages” :p I’m stealing that :p
Woot! My life is complete…I’ve always wanted to be a bad blogger.
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
Sounds like a riot! Have to love a book with a lot about books in it. It’s like a law or something, I think.
Kerry´s last [type] ..Audiobook Review: West of Here by Jonathan Evison
Yay! Glad you read this and enjoyed it! The premise really does kind of sound ridiculous so the more reviews out there telling people it is NOT crazycakes the better!
Steph´s last [type] ..“One Day” by David Nicholls
You should be glad I liked it, since your review is the reason I read it!
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
I have been oddly intrigued by this book, and have been following the reviews with relish because I love a good book about books. I am glad to see that you had a pretty positive reaction to it, and am bumping it up further on my list. Thanks, Jill!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Spousonomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage, and Dirty Dishes by Paula Szuchman & Jenny Anderson — 352 pgs
Ridiculous premise for sure, but if it works and it is fun and entertains, then why not?
Sandy´s last [type] ..The House of Tomorrow – Peter Bognanni (Audio)
I just won an audio copy of this title from Library Thing. Maybe it will play out better on audio.
Ti´s last [type] ..Review: If I Stay
Hmm, so is it worth reading because it’s about books?
Amused´s last [type] ..Book Review: Sarah’s Key
Heck yeah!
softdrink´s last [type] ..Kamchatka
The plot on this one seemed a bit too fantastical for me and I passed on it, but you do make the case for it by mentioning all the book talk.
Nicole´s last [type] ..Three Act Tragedy: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie – Book Review
I had this on hold before I realized the whole anti-gay family runaway storyline…hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Unsure but we shall see.
Cass´s last [type] ..June Round-Up
Exactly – a book about books. What’s not to like?!
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Winner of *The Blind Contessa’s New Machine*
Interesting premise. I think? The bookish theme sounds good, at least.
stacy´s last [type] ..Sundays with Gage – Freedom
I’m not sure how I feel about this book after reading your review. I’m a bit confused. But I do enjoy a good book about books so that might be interesting …