Clunk! From a financial perspective, it makes perfect sense that this book, originally published in 1992 under the title Gridzbi Spudvetch! , is being given a second life nearly twenty years later. Its author, Mark Haddon, has since achieved literary renown as the author of 2003’s book club favorite The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and the lesser known but equally enjoyable A Spot of Bother . It’s been nearly four year’s since the latter’s publication, and with no new adult novel on the horizon (for the time being), it makes sense to haul a title out of the archives before people forget about Haddon. Similar action was taken with Yann Martel after the roaring success of his Life of Pi , when The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios – an older collection of short stories – was repackaged for the public. Adult fans of Haddon’s ‘previous’ novels are bound to feel intrigued. Toss in the fact that Boom! was actually written for the young adult market, which is enjoying strong sales in a comparatively bleak market for books, and everything seems perfect. For both Haddon and the publisher, of course.The problem with repackaging these older titles is that they inevitably seem hopelessly amateur compared with the author’s current work. In Martel’s case, Facts was the work of an experimental author struggling to find a voice; essentially throwing ideas out on paper to see if they worked. Unfortunately, more often than not they didn’t. For Haddon, well, he had ten extra years of writing expertise by the time Curious Incident hit bookshelves, and boy does it show. Which is odd because in the forward Haddon claims to have extensively edited the old manuscript to fix all the wonky writing and plot holes (as well as to update the technology to incorporate cell phones and iPods). I say this claim is odd because the sound that would best describe Boom! is rather a deafening Clunk! Clunk goes the dialogue, stilted and unnatural (and oddly enough featuring dated references to Snakes on a Plane, among other pop culture dinosaurs, for something that was allegedly worked over to be up to the minute). Clunk goes the plot, which awkwardly lurches forward and still features an unseemly amount of plot holes. Clunk goes Haddon’s sense of humor, so sharp and biting in his two adult novels. Indeed, if Haddon intended to snatch some of the audience of the bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, then Jeff Kinney has absolutely nothing to fear, because this book lacks all of the wit and whimsy that makes those so enjoyable.Is Boom! an awful read? No. It’s harmless. But it’s also imminently forgettable; had the publisher left it out of print I doubt anyone would have missed it very much. Its major crime is that it won’t appeal to either Haddon’s adult audience or the young adult audience it aims for. Both sets are better served waiting for something new.
I decided to read this book because my little brother recommended it to me. We enjoy the same type of book, action packed and fiction.This book completes ‘recommended by a member of your family’ on my bingo board.I thought this was a good category because, knowing what books each other like is another way of getting to know each other, always a good thing in a family, (especially with siblings) it teaches us to share.My favourite quote from the book ‘Boom’ was “life is a cow pat sandwich, Jimbo” he sighed “with very thin bread and lots of filling”. James’ (Jimbo) Dad said this to him after he ruins a project he has been working on, and Jimbo nearly got a severe beating from his Big sisters Boyfriend- Craterface (Terry). I like this quote because it is very like reality and although life is a cowpat sandwich you just have to eat your way through it and disguise the taste as best you can. I also like this quote because it has humorous.In this book I learnt about Scotland. Scotland is where the aliens meet to travel seventy thousand light years from the centre of our Milky Way Galaxy, to the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy, a planet called ‘Plonk’ I learnt more about Scotland when Jimbo and his big sister Becky were travelling to Loch Coruisk, on the Isle of Skye. I learnt about the scenery and the village names.My favourite character in this book was Becky. She was a 16 yr old teenage girl that had matured into a make up-caked-face emo. This was, (believed by her family) influenced by her 19 yr old boyfriend Craterface. He was dark and violent. She was unsure what she wanted to do, and kept changing her mind. I think this character is interesting because I can relate to her situation, indecisive about life and her future. She has an adventurous little brother, Like me. We are around the same age apart as our brothers. My little brother Milo told me there is a teenage girl in this story that reminds him of our relationship together, They become very close towards the end of the novel. Although I don’t have a 19 yr old boyfriend, I am not an emo and I don’t smoke or drive, I still felt I was connected to Becky’s character. I think many teenagers feel like this- they don’t know who they are and are unsure of what is to come. It can be daunting to think of it. Lots of teenagers can make bad decisions like Becky and her boyfriend-who she dumps near the end of the novel.
What do You think about Boom! (2009)?
This was a strange little book featuring a very likeable young boy named Jim who discovers an alien plot to re-populate the Earth entirely with science fiction fans and who must, consequently, save the world. On the whole, great fun and a quick read. Easily 4 stars.However, this is intended as a children's lit, for ages 8-12, and as such it fails. Too many adult themes (violence, smoking, etc) and too many old nerd references (seriously, what 8-year-old knows what a Vogon is?) make this a less-than-ideal kids' book. Therefore, 2 stars in that department. Compromise, since Jimbo is such a great character, and the book presents a family in which the mother is a high-powered businesswoman and the father prefers gourmet cookery, reversing "traditional" gender roles in a very positive way (without being at all preachy or ironic). 3 stars.
—Jenny T
This is the story of a friendship and family disrupted by life on another planet. I enjoyed the first two-thirds of the book better, because they were less far-fetched, which is strange to say about a science fiction book about aliens. I think I enjoyed the mystery, quest and journey more than the discovery. I found it more interesting. I really liked the changes in Becca, including her relationship with her brother. It is well written and right from "go" grabs the reader's attention. I listened
—Kimberlee
This book is not comparable to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, but that doesn’t make it less readable. Haddon’s idea of the adventure of two young boys is seriously funny from beginning to end. Jim is just an ordinary kid who likes eating sandwiches with Leicester cheese and gooseberry jam and who is not very good at school. When Jim and his best friend Charlie listen in on a conversation of their teachers in a weird language they are interested in finding out what this is about. With their surveillance, they go a bit overboard. At first Charlie just follows Mr. Kidd and Mrs. Pearce to see what they do after school but then they both break into their teacher’s home. They discover a coded note and a metal wristband and their life all of a sudden goes boom!”Looking back, I reckon this was the moment when my whole life started to go pear-shaped.”Both teachers belong to a species from another planet called Plonk. When Charlie is kidnaped, everything goes topsy-turvy and Jim and his sister have to go to Scotland to rescue him.Haddon’s language use is brilliant. He draws up some good characters. The first person narrator seems prudent for his age in the way he talks. Combined with his cute childish behavior it is always a good laugh. It’s a quick read, it’s fun and boom! suddenly it was already over. review on my blog
—Sandra
