Click: 08/09/08

Reading Click: One Novel Ten Authors is easier than writing a review about it. This ten chapter young adult novel has ten chapters each written by a different well-known author. The chapters could just as easily stand alone as short stories except that they all build on each other.

The novel , the brain child of Arthur Levine, is centered around the life and legacy of photographer George "Gee" Keane. After his death, his granddaughter, Maggie receives a box containing seven sea shells with the instructions: "Throw them all back." Her brother, Jason is given a collection of photographs, including one of Mohamed Ali, and a camera. Those gifts go on to influence the rest of their lives.

Some of the chapters are flashbacks to Gee's life. There is one set in Japan after the war, and one in Ireland that explains how Gee got Ali's photograph. As a side detail, there is also a chilling view of the future after the seas have risen.

Although the book flows well together and there are surprisingly few loose ends for a book written by so many authors, one can still the individual authors' personalities shining through. My favorite chapters were the first one by Linda Sue Park, Vincent by Roddy Doyle and Afela by Margo Lanagan.

Click is one of those rare books where I wished for more when it ended. It was just the right mix of easy to read and though provoking. I finished the book a week ago and I am still actively thinking about it.

Comments (4)

Comment #1: Sunday, August, 10, 2008 at 06:26:51

Rhinoa

I really want to find time to read this soon. It has lots of authors I like and sounds like a really intersting concept. "

Comment #2: Sunday, August, 10, 2008, at 20:09:15

Pussreboots

It's also an interesting story, well worth reading."

Comment #3: Sunday, August, 10, 2008 at 18:11:10

Lucky Girl
"This sounds like a terrific book--I've just added it to my reading list. Thanks!"

Comment #4: Sunday, August, 10, 2008, at 20:13:01

Pussreboots

Yay! Happy reading. Thanks for stopping by."