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Title: The Runner by Cynthia Voigt ISBN: 0-590-48380-3 Publisher: Scholastic Pub. Date: March, 1997 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.92 (36 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: One of the finest books ever written
Comment: Cynthia Voigt is one of the best writers we have today; the only reason she hasn't won Pulitzers and National Book Awards is that she writes for young adults, and most critics can't imagine any writer for that audience producing anything of literary merit. "The Runner" is the book I'd show anybody who ever put down young adult novels. By Cynthia Voigt's own estimation, "The Runner" is her best novel. She's right. I first read the novel five years ago; since then, I've taught it almost thirty times in that period of time, and it just keeps getting better. Every semester, some student points out some corner of the novel I'd missed. "The Runner" tackles serious subjects in a serious way: racism, war, growing up, friendship, principles, parental conflicts. Each and every one of these issues is dealt with thoroughly and seamlessly in the life of Bullet Tillerman, Dicey's uncle. My students love the rebellious Bullet; they are aghast when they realize he's a racist. They read with absolute fascination to find out what happens next. The novel's cast of characters are unique and original: Bullet's father and mother, his best friend Patrice, and his teammate Tamer are unforgettable. This is a novel that I think will come to be remembered as the best novel ever written for young adults, but even more, one of the finest novels of the last 50 years.
Rating: 5
Summary: Boy, oh boy
Comment: The first thing that came to mind when I read this book was that Voigt certainly has an unusual style. Voigt does have a knack of creating strong, addictive plots, and of course providing the unique, unforgettable characters to see the plot through. But till now, Voigt's most complex and unique character lies in "The Runner" -- Samuel / Bullet Tillerman. Reading about him sends you into a whirl. Bullet is a strong-willed, stubborn and hot-headed youth. He lives by his own rules , and that includes his domineering father, his prejudices towards the 'coloured' community,his love for cross-country running, and even his opinions towards the draft (This story was set at the time of the Vietnam Civil War). Having a mind of his own, Bullet finds himself really different, in his opinions and his thinking , and in the way he behaves. It's really simple, Bullet lives his life the way he wants to , and nobody can stop him. Nobody can make that change. Voigt's bold descriptions flesh out the characters in this book perfectly, especially Bullet. Voigt also tells this tale in a wildly original way. She sets her opinions down in this book, and argues about them at the same time. She pretty much covers up all the aspects of the issues she tackles in this book, which include family ties, teenage rebellion, racism, politics and war. In a way, she's arguing with the readers, challenging them to think, to look at matters in a different light. Voigt really understands young adults, I'll give her that much. This book has a tangy and refreshing aftertaste, and it is a must-read for all young adults and all parents who really want to understand their kids. "The Runner" is wonderfully entertaining, making education through this book outrageously fun. Trust me, Voigt only produces books of the finest quality.
Rating: 5
Summary: LOVE IT!
Comment: I have read many many books by Ms. Voigt. She is a very complex writer. It's obvious that she's experienced some of the things she writes about herself. She doesn't write with the viewpoint of many authors, treating kids like they have more to learn. Her main characters are almost always kids, and she simply tells things through the character's eyes, not her own eyes. I love this book, and all the others. However, I suggest reading Homecoming, Dicey's Song, and A Solitary Blue before taking on this one.
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Title: Seventeen Against the Dealer by Cynthia Voigt ISBN: 0689851332 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt ISBN: 0590471570 Publisher: Scholastic Pub. Date: May, 1993 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt ISBN: 0689851316 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt ISBN: 0689851324 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: When She Hollers by Cynthia Voigt ISBN: 0590467158 Publisher: Scholastic Pub. Date: February, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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