Style Reader: April 2014

In Hamamatsu, Japan

Japan: Day 8

4Comments

, by Arra A.

In 5 stars, Fantasy

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

(Started: November 10, 2012 - November 21, 2012)

Summary/Description:

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows. (From Goodreads)

Review: 5 stars, Favorite

Release Date: June 7, 2011

Shelf: Goodreads, Shelfari

Available on: Amazon

I wrote my review two years ago and I thought it's the perfect time to share it since Ransom Riggs is currently in the country. Starting off with its cover, the photo actually adds a very creepy and mysterious feel to the book. You would want to pick it up and at the same time, you are scared on what will unfold before you.

The plot was very engaging. I love how you can easily relate to Jacob's narration, whether its his reactions, emotions, or just about the events that were happening around him. The psychological aspect actually twisted things a little bit--it played mind games to the reader, which actually made me crazy for a little while. For some, reality and fantasy cannot go together in harmony. Usually adults tend to think it is preposterous when unconventional ideas or stories emerge from a young one's mouth. But sometimes, the key is just to be open-minded and to not just listen, but to understand. At times, things might sound or even look shallow but as the old saying goes, "there's more to it than it than meets the eye." That's why I commend Jacob for taking a stand despite people contradicting him and thinking that he has a deranged mind. Once you read the book, you will witness his character's development which I really admire.

Hats off also to the collection of photographs that Ransom included in his book. It made the whole novel unique and strange, like the characters. Aside from appreciating the story, the reader can also admire art through the vintage photographs. It made the book have a creepier aura which is one of the reasons why I fell in love with it. To be honest, I don't find the book frightening but as you read it and see the photos in the process, it teased my imagination with a terrorizing pleasure, allowing myself to give in to the freaky ambiance in my sister's bedroom, and made me imagine things in the dark. The images were stuck in my mind, which made me afraid of what horror I will be facing on the next page. Come to think of it, it is actually the paranoia kicking in but the thrill and excitement that came from each disturbing image made every single turn of the page definitely worthwhile.

What really struck me and left me mind blown was the fact that the story were based on the images. Imagine putting different puzzle pieces together in order to create and complete the whole picture. My jaw literally dropped when I read this revelation on the last few pages of the book. Ransom Riggs was able to create his debut novel, a work of art, out of these peculiar photographs. I salute you! Now, I want to be peculiar, too!

For the quotes I got from the book, please visit my Tumblr:

http://arraabella.tumblr.com/

Happy Reading Everyone!