Far, Far Away by Tom McNeal
- Pleasure rating: 4/5
- Critical rating: 3/5
- Would I buy this for a child I know? Knowing kids in the YA range, I feel that this book appeals more to adults.
In a word, this book was...magical.
McNeal's novel has a unique narrative p.o.v. I don't even know what to call it, but it's the selling point:
"Let's see, students, there is first person, third person limited, third person omniscient...oh, and first person ghost omniscient-y."
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| Image taken from Amazon.com |
The narrator is sort of a Nick Carraway - an off-to-the-side observer - but this guy, unlike good old Nick, is dead. During his life on Earth, he was one of the Brothers Grimm.
Since the narrator is a ghost, he can see every characters' actions, like an omniscient narrator. On the other hand, his deepest desires are the only ones we are entirely privy to, which makes the narrative p.o.v. more like first person or third limited. He is also very, very close to Jeremy, the protagonist, and so we often get glimpses into Jeremy's wishes and dreams. Confusing, but so cool and creepy.
I now feel that I need a new category for point-of-view lessons: "Let's see, students, there is first person, third person limited, third person omniscient...oh, and first person ghost omniscient." I can see the blank stares now.
At first I felt put off by this removed-yet-intimate narration, but after a few pages, I was hooked. If you are looking for a unique voice, look no further, and I'll even provide a link to purchase: Purchase FAR FAR AWAY on Amazon here!
I fell in love with the ghost character himself - his loneliness, his other-worldliness, and his longing to understand "the thing undone"(the thing from his human lifetime preventing him from passing to the other side) kept me in the story. Maybe it says something about me that I was most drawn to the ghost? Hmmm...
While the ghost's narrative arc is pure perfection, the fleshy characters' stories leave something to be desired. Jeremy and Ginger are both too cookie-cutter for me. Ginger is the ever so played out gorgeous, slender chick who helps Jeremy find himself (oh but she is smart! and strong!), and Jeremy is so passive and predictable that at times, it is hard to root for him. Double yawn for the protagonist and leading lady. The peripheral mortals do not leap off the page and surprise me either. I could have predicted most of the fully human characters' endings from far, far away.
Nonetheless, this book is a winner. It put me to sleep every night for a few weeks, and I mean that as a compliment. It sort of soothes you, like a fairy tale or a lullaby. Magical. The Brothers Grimm would approve.
