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"If you take a bad boy and make him dig a hole every day in the hot sun, it will turn him into a good boy. That what was what some people thought."
Is that what you think? I'm not sure. The palindromic Stanley Yelnats, in any case, is not a bad boy. Victim of a miscarriage of justice, Stanley has been sent to Camp Green Lake. Stanley is from a poor family and he's never spent a summer at camp before. But while thousands of other young Americans are having fun, Stanley is digging holes at a juvenile correction centre. Camp Green Lake isn't fun. Digging holes that are precisely five feet wide, five feet long and five feet deep isn't fun either. Up at 4.30am, the boys at Green Lake must each dig such a hole, out in the heat of the desert, before he can return to camp and rest. It's thirsty, exhausting work. And Stanley does wonder what good it does in rehabilitating Green Lake's young inmates. But he does his best. He does his best to fit in, too, although it is difficult, and no one believes in his innocence.
There are no fences at Camp Green Lake. The doors
aren't locked at night. Instead, the boys are contained by fear. Fear of the yellow-spotted lizard, "You don't want to be bitten by a yellow-spotted lizard. You will die a slow and painful death. Always." Fear of the desert, "We've got the only water for a hundred miles. You want to run away? You'll be buzzard food in three days." Fear of the Warden, an elegant, manicured woman with who paints her fingernails with the venom of a rattlesnake. So Stanley, the innocent inmate, doesn't waste his time in devising plans of escape. He observes quietly, and tries to get by as best he can. Soon, it is obvious to Stanley that character building is not the only reason behind the digging of all these holes. What is it the Warden is looking for? It's certainly not redemption for the boys in her care. What is she hoping they will find? And why are there so many strange coincidences?
Running in counterpoint to Stanley's woeful time at the camp are alternate narratives which go back in time to the days of Kissin' Kate Barlow, feared outlaw. Kissin' Kate is also a victim of circumstance. She embarked upon a mixed-race relationship and her lover was murdered by the townsfolk. She spent the rest of her life exacting revenge. Kissin' Kate lived at Green Lake too, but way back then Green Lake was a lake. Since her lover's murder, no rain has fallen, and the lake has become the desert in which Stanley must dig. As the tales begin to converge, Stanley's questions begin to be answered.
I guess you could call Holes a great big tall story. It's certainly wrapped like that. Part comic delivery, part mystery story, part rumination on the justice system, part larger-than-life fable, it's a fabulous little book. According to the back cover The Independent on Sunday said, "There is not one false sentence." They were quite right. Louis Sachar has an admirable writing style, full of short sentences, accurate vocabulary and a wonderfully dry wit. Holes is spattered with the kind of delightfully surreal fatalism you find in the work of the Beat writer Richard Brautigan. It has a life-enhancing optimism which reminds me of such books as The Little Prince and Jonathon Livingstone Seagull. And it has the lightness of heart, deftness of touch and laugh-out-loud humour of Jim Dodge in Fup. Scenes in Holes remind me vividly of scenes in Catch 22. And yet… it's a children's book.
It's not just for children, though. Holes is that rare thing: a book which has found approval from critics, adults and children alike. I found it irresistible. So did my mother. So did my husband. And so did just about every reviewer out there. And if that weren't enough, it won the Newbery Medal. It's wonderfully abrupt prose made it easy enough for my son, Conor, aged 8 but reading a couple of years ahead, to enjoy thoroughly. He's since devoured the sequel, Camp Green Lake Survivor's Guide, and both books remain on his top shelf of favourite books, to be dipped in and out of often. That same pointed style made it a breeze to read aloud to Kieran, my younger son, aged six. He was able to appreciate the jokes and enjoy second-guessing the mystery. So it's suitable for the young ones. Yet the maturity of the sentiments and the poker-faced, humorous way of making serious points that Sachar has, made Holes an equally enjoyable read for Olivia and Sophie, my nieces, aged twelve and fourteen when I bought it for them. I think it would be perfect also for the older reluctant reader. Holes is one of those wonderful books which create a domino effect. When you read it, you like it so much that you buy it for someone else, and they like it so much they buy it for someone else, and they like it so much they buy it for someone else…
The more cynical of adults may perhaps be left very slightly unfulfilled by the unashamedly happy ending, but those of us who like to be touched will join with the children – who always like to see justice served – and not mind at all. It's a joyous two hundred and thirty three pages, and you should read it.
Amazon - £4.79 ISBN - 074754459X
(Title courtesy of the punmeister Jiminy Jim Jim Jim, aka 29th_Candidate. A jolly good chap and a wonder with words. People, we are in his debt. Grin!)
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You are the first review writer whose review of this book I have read so far who has noticed the palindromic nature of Stanley yelnatS' name - it was the first thing I noticed when I read the first review that called him by name! (But, then, many dyslexics DO read as readily backwards as frontwards!) I am seriously considering this book now - and apparently there is another book out now in hardback "Small Steps" which also promises to be a treat. . . . - .................................................................................................... ~ ♥ ~ jes ≈≈≈≈{; -)-{{::::: |||||< ♥♥
Plymyphil 06.11.2003 23:43
This sounds like one of those fascinating reads that really changes viewpoints. I can't wait to get this book. I'm putting it on my Christmas list now as we speak.
ElizaF 14.10.2003 15:49
this sounds wonderful, shall buy it for the midget and ahem...vet it myself :) xx E.
Advantages: A skillful mix of styles and influences, memorable characters. Disadvantages: The narrative reaches great heights, but can't quite keep them up.
Puggers 24.03.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Holes - Louis Sachar
Advantages: A real imagination trip!It makes you believe in children's books again. Disadvantages: If you don't like a few subplots in a story then you may get a little confused with 'Holes'.
bubbletown 03.11.2003 (09.11.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Holes - Louis Sachar
Advantages: Well written and engaging with excellent characterisation and a good plot Disadvantages: Over too quickly! Abrupt ending which is not altogether satisfying
Spiderkid 24.11.2009 (25.11.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Small Steps - LouisSachar
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