... The symbolism of this final 'game' is perfectly fitting and seems to suggest that Tulip is destined for an unhappy and unloved future. Even Natalie's dad, whose comments reveal a good understanding of Tulip's predicament, fails to help her and, collectively, these failures highlight and challenge ... Read review
Advantages: simple story, convincing characters, interesting ideas Disadvantages: path of story predictable
...for them to play. As the story develops, it becomes increasingly clear that Tulip's home life is an unhappy one that drives her to spend as much time as possible away from home. Gradually, Natalie realises that everyone is aware of Tulip's situation but nobody seems to be trying to help her; instead, even Natalie's own mother labels her as 'evil'. Ultimately, the novel makes for uncomfortable reading: the final word, 'guilty' is set apart to emphasise ... ...her final chilling act destroys the link between herself and Natalie. The symbolism of this final 'game' is perfectly fitting and seems to suggest that Tulip is destined for an unhappy and unloved future. Even Natalie's dad, whose comments reveal a good understanding of Tulip's predicament, fails to help her and, collectively, these failures highlight and challenge our own reluctance to get involved. ... more
After arriving in a new town, Natalie becomes friends with Tulip, who invents strange games for them to play. As the story develops, it becomes increasingly clear that Tulip's home life is an unhappy one that drives her to spend as much time as possible away from home. Gradually, Natalie realises that everyone is aware of Tulip's situation but nobody seems to be trying to help her; instead, even Natalie's own mother labels her as 'evil'. Ultimately, the novel makes for uncomfortable reading: the final word, 'guilty' is set apart to emphasise that, ultimately, we all have some shared responsibility in how other members in our society turn out.
It is a tribute to Fine's skills as a writer that when Natalie finally breaks free of Tulip's mesmerising hold we are not satisfied. We wish that Natalie had somehow been able to save Tulip, or at least be involved in trying to do so. We wish even more strongly that someone adult, powerful and responsible had done 'something' 'sooner'. Fine's simple, clear writing style allows us, through Natalie, to see how isolated and unhappy Tulip is.
Once she is friendless, Tulip's behaviour worsens until her final chilling act destroys the link between herself and Natalie. The symbolism of this final 'game' is perfectly fitting and seems to suggest that Tulip is destined for an unhappy and unloved future. Even Natalie's dad, whose comments reveal a good understanding of Tulip's predicament, fails to help her and, collectively, these failures highlight and challenge our own reluctance to get involved.
Advantages: keeps it's pace and you wont get bored. Disadvantages: some things are hard to understand.
The Tulip Touch is a very well wrote book about a girl who befriends another girl who is deeply disturbed. This is a really good read and keeps you interested throughout. Sadly it is hard to imagine yourself in the same position like in other books where you can relate to certain situations and events. I wouldn't recommend this to a younger audience because there are a few incidents that even i found a little disturbing. The storyline gets a little ... ...out what happens to the girl's friendship. As well as The Tulip Touch, Anne Fine has wrote 'The Road Of Bones', 'Flour Babies' and many more. She has also written for other age groups including: adults, young children and middle readers.
This book has a few moments where you will get confused but it then explains them later, for example, the games the 2 girls play have strange names that will baffel you but the writer goes on to explain them soon ...
nicky91 31.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Tulip Touch - Anne Fine
...and has writtin some of the best books around .i always love reading her books most witch have a really imaginitive side with childish points but when i picked up her latest book the tulip touch at a school book fair i could tell it was going to be diffrent from all her other books as i read it it did come more complicated i could tell it was for the older fans of ann fine not really for the kids but the teens it was suckh a touching book a real ...
superwoman 09.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Tulip Touch - Anne Fine
Advantages: its good Disadvantages: it would be good if you heard it from tulips point of view
...to people for no reason.in the end natalie ends the friendship with tulip- but obviosly its not that simple as she is just really making natalies life hell. so much happens that you cant remember it all. what i think would be good however is if you heard some of the story from tulips point of view. i would definatly recomend this book. so to anyone who is thinking of buying it i would say absolutly yes!!! ...
jadey12 14.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Tulip Touch - Anne Fine
Product Information for "The Tulip Touch - Anne Fine" »
Product details
Type
Fiction
Genre
Children's
Title
The Tulip Touch
Author
Anne Fine
ISBN
0140378081; 0241135788
Manufacturer's product description
Nobody wants Tulip in their gang. She skives off school, cheeks the teachers, and makes herself unpopular with her classmates by telling awful lies. None of this matters to Natalie who finds her exciting, but as Tulip's games become dangerous, Natalie realises that she is going too far.
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