When we reviewed this book I hadn't finished reading it so couldn't participate in the discussion - I've now read it so will!
Albert Pullman - known as Aggie, is the hero of the story. What makes him different is his hideous facial abnormality caused by a gene defect. As even he says "I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse." After many operations he still looks freakish. The book describes peoples reactions to him, or rather how he looks not his personality which is charming and intelligent. It skillfully shows how little actions of adults hurt more than the direct reactions of children. Using first person narratives from friends and family the book describes Aggie's 5 year at a private school, from different perspectives, after being previously home schooled. How the children react, how the head master sensitively and adroitly deals with the issues that rise, illustrating how it affects his sister Via, who lives almost entirely in his shadow, lost amongst the clamor of Aggie's issues. A clever book that manages a complex subject in simple language appropriate for the age group it's aimed at.
Our discussion centered around the the various points of view. Some felt it rather 'trite' and too simplistic, the advice from his teacher "When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind." – Dr. Wayne Dyer, we thought was perhaps too banal - should you lie to be kind? The chapter with no punctuation or capitals some found difficult to read.
Words used to describe it:
simplistic, nothing profound, made me feel kinder, innocent, slightly predictable, sweet
We marked this book twice:
as adults between 5 - 7
If we were marking it as young adults between 6 - 8
Next book
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
by Ken Kesey
Next Meeting
23 April at 130 Harbord St
