|
|
|
Évaluation du client type
Partagez votre opinion avec les autres clients
|
|
|
Le commentaire favorable le plus utile
Le commentaire critique le plus utile
Poignant New Series for Teens
Fifteen-year-old, Alexander Cold, is given the opportunity of a lifetime, when his fearless Grandmother, a magazine reporter for INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, invites him to tag along on her journey through the Amazon. Bidding his family and ill Mother goodbye, Alexander takes the chance, and ends up exploring, not only with his Grandmother, but with a Doctor, a celebrated...
Publié le Avril 24 2004 par Erika Sorocco
|
› Voir plus de commentaires 5 étoiles, 4 étoiles |
 |
A NEW DIRECTION IN A RIGHT WAY.
Isabel Allende's "City Of The Beasts" it's an entertaining book about adventures a-la-Jones, Isabel Allendes master description and turn twisting writing still here but with a heart for the mystical and suspense. I won't describe the plot because is unfair to tell the whole story if your going to read it, wich I recommend, because first it's an entertaining book, second...
Publié le Mai 16 2004 par S. Quinto
|
› Voir plus de commentaires 3 étoiles, 2 étoiles, 1 étoiles |
|
|
Magical!, Juil 20 2007
I read this novel as my friend and I toured Central America. The setting and the landscapes were very comparable and definately added to the novel. The supernatural and magical nature that Allende portrays is unique and really brings out the culture of the Amazonian Indigenous peoples as compared to North Americans...love of the land, cherish what Mother Nature has given us. The whole idea that these natives have never been into contact with other human beings also gave the novel an eerie mysteriousness that captivates the imagination of its audience. Alex and Nadia definately come to life even in the English translation, which I found awkward at some moments, but don't let it bother you as the scenery and imagery are stellar.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Magical and Exciting, Juil 9 2007
I read this novel as my friend and I toured Central America. The setting and the landscapes were very comparable and definately added to the novel. The supernatural and magical nature that Allende portrays is unique and really brings out the culture of the Amazonian Indigenous peoples as compared to North Americans...love of the land, cherish what Mother Nature has given us. The whole idea that these natives have never been into contact with other human beings also gave the novel an eerie mysteriousness that captivates the imagination of its audience. Alex and Nadia definately come to life even in the English translation, which I found awkward at some moments, but don't let it bother you as the scenery and imagery are stellar.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beastly, Mars 4 2007
Quite a few straight-fiction authors have taken to writing children's fantasy -- Neil Gaiman, Michael Chabon, Carl Hiaasen. But Isabel Allende struck out in "City of the Beasts," an excruciatingly dull, preachy, awkwardly written fantasy with some of the most obnoxious characters imaginable. While Allende is a talented writer of magical realism, straight-out fantasy seems beyond her.
Alexander Cold's mother is suffering from cancer, and while she is in Texas for chemotherapy he is sent to stay with his grandmother Kate. Not only is Kate unstable and weird, but also is heading off on an expedition into the Amazon jungle to find a sort of jungle yeti called "the Beast."
Though initially disliking the expedition, Alexander befriends Nadia, the daughter of the guide, who teaches him about the wildlife and the natives of the Amazon. Alexander quickly falls in step with Nadia, learning all about his totem animal and magic. But soon they discover that the jungle and the mysterious "People of the Mist" are in danger of destruction -- by someone in their group.
One of the worst things about this book is the fact that Allende seems to keep in mind constantly that she is writing for kids. A good book can be appreciated by adults and children alike. You don't have to dumb it down. But dumb it down she does -- she seems to think that not only is her audience young, but also too unintelligent to appreciate good literature.
While Allende gives great care to her regular novels, here she seems sloppy, having her heroes magically develop powers whenever they are needed. For example, there's a language barrier between Alexander and the People. No problem -- he just "listens with his heart" and the language thing isn't a problem.
Part of the book's dullness is the extreme detail that Allende throws in, apparently to show that she did her research. Enormous stretches are devoted to life on the Amazon, justifying ritual cannibalism and interbreeding polygamy. In other words, when she wants to lecture readers about piranha, expect the plot to grind to a halt. Unfortunately, that focus on detail also kills all sense of urgency -- when someone is murdered, the others don't get upset. Instead they argue about funerary rites.
Moreover, Allende's attention seems to wander halfway through the book -- she seems to forget all about the "conspiracy" and Alexander's dying mother, only to yank up the plot threads a few hundred pages later. The backhistory of the mysterious "Beasts" is both boring and silly, as is the frantic conspiracy that Allende rigs up near the end.
Alexander Cold is a ridiculously boring character, especially since halfway through the book, he sheds all his doubts and fears. Nadia is portrayed as a quirky, magical girl, but her New-Age preaching and preening make her seem like a mouthpiece. Kate comes across as abusive rather than strong, and the professor is so absurdly racist, sexist and boorish that he's impossible to take seriously. All "modern" people are evil or whiny, while the Indians are noble -- in other words, Allende opted to write cliches rather than characters.
And most unforgivably: The preachiness. On every other page Allende reminds us how wonderful nature is, despite portraying the Amazon as a nightmare hole, and having a seemingly sympathetic character murder an animal to "set it free." She never makes us feel any awe or love for nature, or any real urgency to conserve the wild places of the world.
The beauty of nature -- and human nature -- are lacking in "City of the Beasts," a sloppy and poorly thought-out excuse for a fantasy. Allende should stick to magical realism.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
A NEW DIRECTION IN A RIGHT WAY., Mai 16 2004
Isabel Allende's "City Of The Beasts" it's an entertaining book about adventures a-la-Jones, Isabel Allendes master description and turn twisting writing still here but with a heart for the mystical and suspense. I won't describe the plot because is unfair to tell the whole story if your going to read it, wich I recommend, because first it's an entertaining book, second Allende's description's gave you the whole idea, like if you're watching a movie, third the characters are well define and every one has a part in the story, and the end is somehow what you expected but with some curious twists, in fact this is the most easy to follow book from Allende, it will satisfy your need for some chill-out reading afternoon, after this you can also follow up with The Kigdom of the Golden Dragon, with the same people from this book but in a different adventure in a differente place.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poignant New Series for Teens, Avril 24 2004
Fifteen-year-old, Alexander Cold, is given the opportunity of a lifetime, when his fearless Grandmother, a magazine reporter for INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, invites him to tag along on her journey through the Amazon. Bidding his family and ill Mother goodbye, Alexander takes the chance, and ends up exploring, not only with his Grandmother, but with a Doctor, a celebrated anthropologist, a local guide, and his young daughter, Nadia. Their journey will take them where no man (or woman) has gone before, to document the legendary Yeti that just so happens to survive in the Amazon, and is better known as "the Beast." Under the canopy of the rain forest, and with his newly acquired friend, Alexander and Nadia are led on an adventure that will change their lives forever, by the invisible People of the Mist. A woman I know at the local Barnes & Noble has been recommending this book to me since it was released. However, it seemed like something that I probably wouldn't be interested in. Boy was I wrong. Being very interested in the field of cryptozoology, I found all of the talk about "the Beast" absolutely fascinating, and was extremely mesmerized by the descriptions of the rain forest. Alexander is a likeable character that will appeal greatly to male readers, while Nadia is a brave character who will appeal greatly to female readers. A must have for all ages, especially teens interested in adventurous YA literature. Great job, Ms. Isabel Allende! Erika Sorocco
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not up to Allende's standards, Avril 14 2004
Par Un client
Okay, even the great writers have lapses so Allende should be forgiven for this one. It reads as if she threw it together to appeal to all the Harry Potter fans and I mentally cast the actors from Smallville as the main characters.There are great descriptions of people and places in the Amazon backwaters and anyone willing to plow through the endless plot will learn how the native peoples suffer horrific exploitation. But the dialog is so stilted it makes you wonder if Allende or her intrepid translator hired out the writing/translating to interns. And the Grandmother character is so unlikely, even though we're expected to admire her unconventional ways, she annoys the reader whenever she shows up on the page. Too bad--I love so much of what Allende writes.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
The second book was much better, Mars 11 2004
I read first El Reino del Dragon de Oro and I like that book very much, then I read this one and the first part is very good, but the second half of the book is just boring, when Alex and Nadia went with the natives and they want to make you feel that they live better than any civilization is just pathetic, and I won't tell anything about the "invisible Nadia" the last 100 pages could be written in 50 or less pages. If I read first this book I would never read the second one.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
A good read for young readers, Janv. 29 2004
There is an age all young readers get to where their reading abilities and interests don't mesh well. Capable of reading full sized adult novels, they find them boring. Most books directed at people their age are ridiculously simple. City of the Beasts is a perfect fit for those in betweeners. In case you're wondering, I'm an adult, but am reviewing this with my 11 year old in mind. For myself, it was a quick read, and a little silly. But for readers around 10-14, I would highly recommend it.
Alexander's family is in complete disarray with his mother very ill with cancer and his dad barely holding things together. In order for his mother to get treated, the family must split up and go off to the rellies for awhile. Alex draws the short straw and winds up with his paternal Grandmother, Kate. While I've seen her described as "cold, quirky, and eccentric" I found her interesting. Her interpretation of love includes helping you learn to take care of yourself. Alex's forced independence is something that will appeal to young readers. Kate agreed to take Alex provided he would accompany her on a trip to the Amazon. Alex meets a new friend, Nadia, and the two of them embark on an incredible journey of discovery---of people, "beasts", nature, human nature and greed, and most importantly, self reliance. All life knowledge they will need to survive in the Amazon, and back home in California.
The characters are amusing and appealing with a few evildoers thrown in. The plot is a bit messy, but clear enough for most readers, while providing a great backdrop for everything these two teenagers need to discover. The ending winds up a bit neatly, but most young readers would be incredibly disappointed with any late plot twists. Readers will come away from this book with a new appreciation for different kinds of love, different kinds of people, different countries, different lifestyles, and all the similarities that tie us together.
Highly recommended.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
honest and unusual, if a bit out of control at the end, Déc 23 2003
Alex's mother has cancer, so he is shipped off to the east coast to spend time with his grandmother, who turns out to be a reckless adventuress. She drags him off to Brasil, where they travel up the Amazon in search of a mythical beast supposed to be real. Allende writes with psychological insight and honesty. I also liked how she dealt with the language logistics in the novel. The climax got a bit too airy-fairy fantasy environmentalist for me, but not bad.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allende is no J.K. Rowling...., Oct. 14 2003
I deeply respect allende but she really messed up with this one. To me, this is a vulgar attempt at a latinamerican Harry Potter-ish novel of adventure. You want to know what's even worse? There's a sequel out. I saw it and I couldn't believe it.I guess Allende acted like those rock stars that reach their peak and then think they can sell any garbage they put out....and sometimes do.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Les clients qui ont vu cet article ont aussi vu
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Accueil Amazon
