Home       About Me       Review Index

Thursday, February 10, 2011

My Thoughts: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

At age eleven, Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother. At fourteen, she ran away from boarding school, only to be tracked down and brought back by a mysterious stranger. Now seventeen, Taylor's the reluctant leader of her school's underground community, whose annual territory war with the Townies and visiting Cadets has just begun. This year, though, the Cadets are led by Jonah Griggs, and Taylor can't avoid his intense gaze for long. To make matters worse, Hannah, the one adult Taylor trusts, has disappeared. But if Taylor can piece together the clues Hannah left behind, the truth she uncovers might not just settle her past, but also change her future.



There are so many reviews floating around about Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. People talk about it, saying it's the best book they have ever read and so on. Even with the all the raving reviews I wasn't convinced; I've been deceived before. Novels that people have gushed over and then I read them find that they are really terrible. So I wasn't overly eager to read this. I was at the library this past Saturday looking for I Am Number Four (which I did not find), when I saw Jellicoe Road and decided that I'd pick it up.

It is not often that I regret not buying a book, usually I wish I would have just borrowed them from the library. However I really wish that I would have bought a copy of this book. This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time, and I have read some really good books. But there is something special about Jellicoe Road. Although while you are reading it, there is no way to tell what is so amazing about it. Even now trying to think about it, and express it, I am having a hard time.

Marchetta writes a truly amazing story about love and friendship. A story about trust and truth. It's magical. She has this amazing mix of humour and heartbreak. She has a perfect blend of fun and fights. There are three communities that have mini turf wars, but I really loved how when it really mattered they were able to put aside their differences and come together. Her writing is beautiful. There is a story within a story and in some cases this is annoying as you would much rather being reading about the other story. However the second story is very much a part of the initial story. It's a very smooth transition.

The characters, I think, are what make this story. They are unbelievable. They work so well with each other. Taylor the female protagonist is a fantastic character. She is strong and independent, but she's afraid to give herself. She has not had the easiest life, and she has ample reason to not trust people. There are so many great characters and I can't talk about them all of them, but you cannot talk about Jellicoe Road with out mentioning Jonah Griggs. He is so cool. He's absolutely perfect for Taylor. I was reading a post the other day about which YA characters you'd most want to date, and Griggs made the list and my reaction was, no way man he belongs to Taylor- I felt silly for thinking that the moment I thought it, but you get what I mean- He is truly an amazing character.

I don't have a single bad thing to say about this book. Nothing bugged me or made me roll my eyes, I laughed, I cried. It made me feel sad sometimes, but it added to it's greatness. I don't know. Read it. All of you. You will not be sorry.

Happy Reading Everyone!

20 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you liked i!!

    Marchetta always writes in a way that lingers, their books always stay with me for a very long time and I love that about them. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! What a beautiful review I love how you described the high points and low points of the book and what makes the books truly amazing :) I checked out the book and I think I might start reading it next

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gah. Really must read this. Your review is only one in a long line of highly positive reviews for this book. Though I do know what you mean about reading raving reviews for books and then being disappointed. Despite this, like you said I still really need to read this one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I keep seeing great reviews about this one; I really need to pick it up! I always say that books that can give you strong emotions (such as crying and laughing) are important one. I really need to get a copy of it for my shelves!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wasn't very excited about this book at all. But I am so glad I read it. All of you who still need to read this, hop on it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm a little afraid of Jellicoe Road since I've heard it's weird. I'm not good with weird. I like cut-and-dry, everything spelled out for me. Still, I think I need to read this book. EVERYONE in the YA world seems to adore it and who am I to deny the hype?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great review! I haven't read this book yet, but it sounds great!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The cover is so bright and colourful that I'm tempted to buy it just to display on my bookcase. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I loved this book too! I read Jellicoe Road and Melina Marchetta became one of my all time favorite authors. And of course, Jonah Griggs is awesome! Great review :) Glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've been wanting to read this one for ages. The storyline sounds great!

    ReplyDelete
  11. ooh. Another must-read! Great review! I'm putting this on my TBR shelf, now.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've heard that this is a fantastic book from basically everyone in the world, so I think I'll have to get it soon :) Thanks for the review, it sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yaya! I'm so happy when someone likes the book as much as me. This one is my all time fave book and I'm so happy that I have it on my shelf! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is one of those books that every good thing people say about it is absolutely true.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This book is on my wishlist, I only knew about it after one of my favourite book bloggers posted about it. It sounds amazing and I love when a book is all you hoped it would be and more.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sounds wonderful... If I can find it somewhere in S.Africa, I'll definitely read it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have a friend who gave a glowing review about this book. I love a book about love and friendship so maybe I'm gonna give this a try :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. A truly marvelous review. From what everyone says, I think I really must read this book. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have this book and heard so many things about it. I have yet to pick it up but I don't think very soon! You did an awesome job reviewing it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I picked this book out at the library and the librarian said it would make me cry. So it's been sitting in a pile ever since because that kind of made me not want to read it! But I like that you said "It made me feel sad sometimes, but it added to it's greatness" so I'll have to give it a chance since you liked it so much! Thanks for the info!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! So please leave them and I will make every attempt to return the favor!

"So, please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall."
— Roald Dahl