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The Carnival at Bray
It's 1993, and Generation X pulses to the beat of Kurt Cobain and the grunge movement. Sixteen-year-old Maggie Lynch is uprooted from big-city Chicago to a windswept town on the Irish Sea. Surviving on care packages of Spin magazine and Twizzlers from her rocker uncle Kevin, she wonders if she'll ever find her place in this new world. When first love and sudden death simultaneously strike, a naive but determined Maggie embarks on a forbidden pilgrimage that will take her to a seedy part of Dublin and on to a life- altering night in Rome to fulfill a dying wish. Through it all, Maggie discovers an untapped inner strength to do the most difficult but rewarding thing of all, live.
235 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
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January 24, 2024
1/23/24: Reread for a YAL class, and a majority of the class really admired it, though they also quizzed me about the music that I grew up with, the concerts I attended, and so on. But that seems appropriate, in that music plays a central role in the book. Rock, grunge music. Funny that I had also been reading The Pole by J. M. Coetzee, that is also about music, but the music of Chopin. Both are equally passionate about the centrality of music, the arts, in living life.
2/15/20, update. Another reading for a class I call Growing Up, but this time in conjunction with three other Irish stories, "Eveline," by James Joyce, Milkman by Anna Burns, and Normal People by Sally Rooney featuring three protagonist women who are dealing with love, sex, romance, men of all kinds and are fairly traumatized in various ways (Joyce uses the word "paralysis") by all this. Foley's story is YA, Irish-American, set in both Chicago and Bray, Ireland and features maybe a less traumatized young woman, though she is still learning here about love, sex, romance, men of various kinds. This time because of the other texts I was struck by positive features here related to female desire.
10/15/18, update: Just reread with my Fall 2018 YA class, and the author--a friend and former student--came into the class! Awesome.
“That's what living people do. They shatter and rebuild, shatter and rebuild, shatter and rebuild until they are old and worn and stooped from the work of it.”
Original review of 4/5/15, slightly updated: I just now finished this fine novel as the semester concludes. This is a first novel (her second is Neighborhood Girls, and her third, Sorry For Your Loss, which I also read and reviewed), a fine YA work with some very strong writing in it for a first book. Others have recognized this, too; it was a William C. Morris YA Debut Award Nominee (2015), won the Helen Sheehan YA Book Prize, but then won the Big Prize: it was one of the five Michael L. Printz Award Nominees (2015), which makes it a runner-up (Honor book) for probably the most prestigious award in the YA world. Awards are subjective, like any other reading, of course, but in this case, I think the accolades are deserving. This might be described as a coming-of-age book, and maybe a YA romance, but to put it in that latter category could be dismissive, since the most popular ones are, from the perspective of older readers, at least, kind of badly written, smarmy, sap. This one doesn't suffer from those problems.
This book is about Maggie, and her love of three men: 1) her wild Uncle Kevin, who introduces her to rock and roll and specifically grunge rock, and maybe more specifically Nirvana, who play a central role in this tale in important ways; 2) 99-year-old Dan Sean of Bray, who befriends her and counsels her, and 3) a young man named Eoin, also from Bray. It is also about struggles with Maggie's family as she grows up--her tumultuous relationship with her mother Laura, her sister Ronny, a boyfriend, Colm, but it is mainly about her relationship with those three men, I think.
“Everything that ever happens to you only happens once, so you better never stop paying attention.”
The book is on one level all about music, and in particular for Maggie, nineties grunge rock music; it's about how music captures the soul and shapes the destinies of each/this young generation. Music as religion, for Maggie, and Kevin. For young people generally. It's also in part about Chicago, and since I live here, I liked that aspect of it a lot, the naming of clubs and neighborhoods, but it mostly takes place in Ireland (and a jaunt to Rome that figures in largely). It's also at its best about lovely description and edgy observations not typical of YA, which tends to soften and hide "bad language" and wild actions (i.e., sex, drugs and rock and roll). This surprised me in various places by being edgier than I expected, and because of this edge the tale will as coming of age/romance satisfy some different, maybe a little edgier YA readers, ones who don't see themselves in typical school-based YA.
Maybe especially this is for outsiders, those who live at the edge, as YA sometimes appeals to. When I put it in the hands of a young woman in Summit, IL, in the Argo HS library, as part of a visit to the school to tell them about cool YA books to read, relating that it was about a wild rocker uncle who was sneaking his niece into bars and introducing her to the Smashing Pumpkins, she said, "of all the books you showed me, that's the one I think I will be able to relate to; that's the one I'm going to read."
“Maggie nodded. She was more than okay. Not only was she no longer sick, she felt as if she'd just awoken from the long, safe torpor of her childhood. The night had blasted her free of that shell, and she had emerged new and raw and ready. She felt the ticket stub folded carefully in her pocket. How many kids in Bray would be able to say they'd stood just feet from Billy Corgan, that they'd been at the Metro for the "Siamese Dream" record release show, that they'd seen Lake Shore Drive on a Sunday morning through the prism of a concert comedown, the runners looking so silly with their skinny legs and their neon shorts, chugging along the footpath with their calorie counters and Gatorade?”
I highly recommend it to YA readers and those who live or lived for music or went through the nineties in love with this music. There's this carnival at Bray that is a central image in the book (of course!) that really works, I think. It's a carnival of a book in many ways.
2/15/20, update. Another reading for a class I call Growing Up, but this time in conjunction with three other Irish stories, "Eveline," by James Joyce, Milkman by Anna Burns, and Normal People by Sally Rooney featuring three protagonist women who are dealing with love, sex, romance, men of all kinds and are fairly traumatized in various ways (Joyce uses the word "paralysis") by all this. Foley's story is YA, Irish-American, set in both Chicago and Bray, Ireland and features maybe a less traumatized young woman, though she is still learning here about love, sex, romance, men of various kinds. This time because of the other texts I was struck by positive features here related to female desire.
10/15/18, update: Just reread with my Fall 2018 YA class, and the author--a friend and former student--came into the class! Awesome.
“That's what living people do. They shatter and rebuild, shatter and rebuild, shatter and rebuild until they are old and worn and stooped from the work of it.”
Original review of 4/5/15, slightly updated: I just now finished this fine novel as the semester concludes. This is a first novel (her second is Neighborhood Girls, and her third, Sorry For Your Loss, which I also read and reviewed), a fine YA work with some very strong writing in it for a first book. Others have recognized this, too; it was a William C. Morris YA Debut Award Nominee (2015), won the Helen Sheehan YA Book Prize, but then won the Big Prize: it was one of the five Michael L. Printz Award Nominees (2015), which makes it a runner-up (Honor book) for probably the most prestigious award in the YA world. Awards are subjective, like any other reading, of course, but in this case, I think the accolades are deserving. This might be described as a coming-of-age book, and maybe a YA romance, but to put it in that latter category could be dismissive, since the most popular ones are, from the perspective of older readers, at least, kind of badly written, smarmy, sap. This one doesn't suffer from those problems.
This book is about Maggie, and her love of three men: 1) her wild Uncle Kevin, who introduces her to rock and roll and specifically grunge rock, and maybe more specifically Nirvana, who play a central role in this tale in important ways; 2) 99-year-old Dan Sean of Bray, who befriends her and counsels her, and 3) a young man named Eoin, also from Bray. It is also about struggles with Maggie's family as she grows up--her tumultuous relationship with her mother Laura, her sister Ronny, a boyfriend, Colm, but it is mainly about her relationship with those three men, I think.
“Everything that ever happens to you only happens once, so you better never stop paying attention.”
The book is on one level all about music, and in particular for Maggie, nineties grunge rock music; it's about how music captures the soul and shapes the destinies of each/this young generation. Music as religion, for Maggie, and Kevin. For young people generally. It's also in part about Chicago, and since I live here, I liked that aspect of it a lot, the naming of clubs and neighborhoods, but it mostly takes place in Ireland (and a jaunt to Rome that figures in largely). It's also at its best about lovely description and edgy observations not typical of YA, which tends to soften and hide "bad language" and wild actions (i.e., sex, drugs and rock and roll). This surprised me in various places by being edgier than I expected, and because of this edge the tale will as coming of age/romance satisfy some different, maybe a little edgier YA readers, ones who don't see themselves in typical school-based YA.
Maybe especially this is for outsiders, those who live at the edge, as YA sometimes appeals to. When I put it in the hands of a young woman in Summit, IL, in the Argo HS library, as part of a visit to the school to tell them about cool YA books to read, relating that it was about a wild rocker uncle who was sneaking his niece into bars and introducing her to the Smashing Pumpkins, she said, "of all the books you showed me, that's the one I think I will be able to relate to; that's the one I'm going to read."
“Maggie nodded. She was more than okay. Not only was she no longer sick, she felt as if she'd just awoken from the long, safe torpor of her childhood. The night had blasted her free of that shell, and she had emerged new and raw and ready. She felt the ticket stub folded carefully in her pocket. How many kids in Bray would be able to say they'd stood just feet from Billy Corgan, that they'd been at the Metro for the "Siamese Dream" record release show, that they'd seen Lake Shore Drive on a Sunday morning through the prism of a concert comedown, the runners looking so silly with their skinny legs and their neon shorts, chugging along the footpath with their calorie counters and Gatorade?”
I highly recommend it to YA readers and those who live or lived for music or went through the nineties in love with this music. There's this carnival at Bray that is a central image in the book (of course!) that really works, I think. It's a carnival of a book in many ways.
February 11, 2015
Objectively, this is a very, very, very good book.
But I loved it for a lot of subjective, emotional reasons, particularly because I lived in Ireland around the same time as the main character, which I was around the same age (I was a bit older) and this book took me right back to that time and place.
But I loved it for a lot of subjective, emotional reasons, particularly because I lived in Ireland around the same time as the main character, which I was around the same age (I was a bit older) and this book took me right back to that time and place.
Read
December 28, 2014This had the set up of everything I dislike: a 90s setting that served the purpose of being so for the grunge music and to avoid the social media/mobile phone reality of today.
But I loved it.
This is a story about love and loss, about learning how to make a life and a living when everything that had been a part of your life is torn away, by forces you can never understand. It's about choices other people make and how deeply they impact you personally.
Maggie's mother remarried Colm, and they -- along with her younger sister Ronnie -- move to Bray, a small town on the Eastern shore or Ireland. It's a lonely time in a new place for Maggie, but she's buoyed by her uncle Kevin's letters and packages, as well as by the boy she's run into who she can't keep her eyes off of. For a short time, there's her new friend Aine, but it's not a great friendship, since Aine has little interest in Maggie as a person, but in Maggie as a way to spend time with her boyfriend Paddy. But when Maggie has to reassess her life as it is and figure out how to make a life in the place she's been planted best she can. There is
What was great: this wasn't about the music as portrayed in the book. It was about the power of music, period. It was about fulfilling that dream of seeing a band you love and being part of a crowd of other people who are sharing an experience with you, but not necessarily sharing the exact same experience you are. It's about friendship and about the challenges of meeting new people and learning to trust their intentions. It's about romance and finding someone who gets you, through thick and thin. It's, even more, about family. The relationship between Maggie and her mother is rendered so well and so painfully, and the relationship between Maggie and her sister Ronnie is so a relationship between a 16-year-old girl and her 11-year-old sister. But more, it was the Kevin-Maggie relationship I loved most.
Foley's use of setting is really great, and the use of third person was surprising and perfect for this story. The writing itself was smooth, and in the first sex scene, it was awkward and written in an honest manner that handled it better than many first-person narratives do. But it wasn't clinical nor was it over-the-top. I wouldn't say, though, this is a book where sex matters much. Rather, what makes it good is the longing we get from Maggie and how much she yearns and craves something physical
This isn't a big story, and it reads quickly, but there's a lot of story packed in here. And do I ever love a "bloom where you're planted" story.
Pair this one with Melina Marchetta's realistic fiction, as well as maybe Gayle Forman.
But I loved it.
This is a story about love and loss, about learning how to make a life and a living when everything that had been a part of your life is torn away, by forces you can never understand. It's about choices other people make and how deeply they impact you personally.
Maggie's mother remarried Colm, and they -- along with her younger sister Ronnie -- move to Bray, a small town on the Eastern shore or Ireland. It's a lonely time in a new place for Maggie, but she's buoyed by her uncle Kevin's letters and packages, as well as by the boy she's run into who she can't keep her eyes off of. For a short time, there's her new friend Aine, but it's not a great friendship, since Aine has little interest in Maggie as a person, but in Maggie as a way to spend time with her boyfriend Paddy. But when Maggie has to reassess her life as it is and figure out how to make a life in the place she's been planted best she can. There is
What was great: this wasn't about the music as portrayed in the book. It was about the power of music, period. It was about fulfilling that dream of seeing a band you love and being part of a crowd of other people who are sharing an experience with you, but not necessarily sharing the exact same experience you are. It's about friendship and about the challenges of meeting new people and learning to trust their intentions. It's about romance and finding someone who gets you, through thick and thin. It's, even more, about family. The relationship between Maggie and her mother is rendered so well and so painfully, and the relationship between Maggie and her sister Ronnie is so a relationship between a 16-year-old girl and her 11-year-old sister. But more, it was the Kevin-Maggie relationship I loved most.
Foley's use of setting is really great, and the use of third person was surprising and perfect for this story. The writing itself was smooth, and in the first sex scene, it was awkward and written in an honest manner that handled it better than many first-person narratives do. But it wasn't clinical nor was it over-the-top. I wouldn't say, though, this is a book where sex matters much. Rather, what makes it good is the longing we get from Maggie and how much she yearns and craves something physical
This isn't a big story, and it reads quickly, but there's a lot of story packed in here. And do I ever love a "bloom where you're planted" story.
Pair this one with Melina Marchetta's realistic fiction, as well as maybe Gayle Forman.
January 19, 2015
2015 Morris Finalist
When I read the back of this book, I thought, "Hmm." It felt like a (recent) historical fiction with its emphasis on '90s grunge music and the highlights of Kurt Cobain's life. Because my teen years spanned through part of the '90s, I was intrigued. My favorite aspect of this book was the fact that the writing felt effortless. Too often, books' messages or prose feel forced, and with this book, I felt as if I was whisked along for the (very bumpy) ride. As a former high school teacher, I enjoyed the myriad, richly realized themes. The reader feels a wild sense of adventure, the uneasiness that comes with living in a new environment, the loyalty that is tied with love, the heartbreak that emerges with loss and grief, and the utter purity that comes with finding oneself. At times, YA texts feature absent (or horrid) parents, but the complexity of Maggie's mother was realistic to many parents, I believe. This will leave teens (and adults!) pondering their own relationships with their parents. The intricacies of this text will allow for book groups, students, and readers to have much to ponder and discuss.
When I read the back of this book, I thought, "Hmm." It felt like a (recent) historical fiction with its emphasis on '90s grunge music and the highlights of Kurt Cobain's life. Because my teen years spanned through part of the '90s, I was intrigued. My favorite aspect of this book was the fact that the writing felt effortless. Too often, books' messages or prose feel forced, and with this book, I felt as if I was whisked along for the (very bumpy) ride. As a former high school teacher, I enjoyed the myriad, richly realized themes. The reader feels a wild sense of adventure, the uneasiness that comes with living in a new environment, the loyalty that is tied with love, the heartbreak that emerges with loss and grief, and the utter purity that comes with finding oneself. At times, YA texts feature absent (or horrid) parents, but the complexity of Maggie's mother was realistic to many parents, I believe. This will leave teens (and adults!) pondering their own relationships with their parents. The intricacies of this text will allow for book groups, students, and readers to have much to ponder and discuss.
July 24, 2015
I don't know man, I was all ready to love this one but it never clicked with me.
As far as contemporary plots go, setting a novel in 90s Ireland and filling it with grunge and teenage angst should be everything I need. In theory, at least, because despite sounding like my kind of book I never fell in love with it. Never connected to Maggie or her family despite a fair amount of potential character depth. Never fell in love with the town of Bray despite Ireland being full of gray, salty, barebones atmosphere. Never felt the thudding, sweaty excitement of a goddamn Nirvana concert.
I think it was the writing that let me down. Because everything was there, in theory. I just never felt any of it.
As far as contemporary plots go, setting a novel in 90s Ireland and filling it with grunge and teenage angst should be everything I need. In theory, at least, because despite sounding like my kind of book I never fell in love with it. Never connected to Maggie or her family despite a fair amount of potential character depth. Never fell in love with the town of Bray despite Ireland being full of gray, salty, barebones atmosphere. Never felt the thudding, sweaty excitement of a goddamn Nirvana concert.
I think it was the writing that let me down. Because everything was there, in theory. I just never felt any of it.
October 11, 2019
Egészen jó ifjúsági regény. Bár grunge nem áll hozzám annyira közel, az alternatív rock igen, Írország meg pláne. Abszolút rajongó típus vagyok, így aztán vénségemre is jól tudtam azonosulni a főszereplőkkel. Van feelingje, van mondanivalója, szerethető szereplői. Maggie és Eoin karaktere lehetett volna sokkal kidolgozottabb, ez levon az értékéből. Sem az eredeti, sem a magyar cím nem túl találó – pláne nagybetűsen –, a borító viszont tetszik.
July 6, 2015
3.5 stars
Reminded me A LOT of Gayle Forman's One Day/One Year books.
Reminded me A LOT of Gayle Forman's One Day/One Year books.
July 30, 2016
Danke an NetGalley und ONE für das Rezensionsexemplar.
Inhalt
»Es ist das Jahr 1993. Bill Clinton wird Präsident der USA und Nirvana veröffentlichen ihr drittes Album »In Utero«. In diesem Jahr zieht Maggie mit ihrer Familie von Chicago nach Bray, einen verschlafenen Ort an der irischen Küste. Sie muss viel zurücklassen, besonders aber vermisst sie ihren chaotischen Onkel Kevin: nur zehn Jahre älter, seines Zeichens Rockmusiker und größter lebender Nirvana-Fan.
Aller Anfang ist schwer. Immerhin ist das Eoin, der Maggie mit seinem unergründlichen Lächeln ziemlich durcheinanderbringt. Doch während die beiden sich näherkommen, erreicht Maggie eine furchtbare Nachricht: Onkel Kevin ist gestorben! Alles, was Maggie von ihm bleibt: Zwei Tickets für ein Nirvana-Konzert in Rom. Und ein Brief, in dem er Maggie auffordert, sich unbedingt auf den Weg zu machen und dabei den Jungen mitzunehmen, den sie liebt. Und Maggie? Setzt sich über alle Verbote hinweg und wagt den Trip nach Rom. Zusammen mit Eoin ...«
Meine Meinung:
Ich liebe Nirvana, eine der, meiner Meinung nach, besten Bands, die es jemals gab. Daher hat mich der Titel und die Beschreibung dieses Buches sofort angesprochen. Ich hatte gehofft hier eine Geschichte zu bekommen, in der mein viel über Musik, u. a. eben Nirvana, und den Weg von Maggie & Eoin zu dem Konzert in Rom erfährt, aber hier wurde ich leider enttäuscht. Es wurden nur wenige Musiker und Titel genannt und auch der 'Trip nach Rom' nimmt nur ca. 15-20 % des kompletten Buches ein. Da habe ich mir wesentlich mehr erhofft. Der Klappentext weckt Erwartungen, die so während des Buches nicht erfüllt werden.
Ich hatte über das komplette Buch hinweg Probleme mit der Geschichte. Es lies sich zwar relativ schnell lesen, aber ich bin einfach nicht richtig in die Geschichte reingekommen und ich konnte auch überhaupt keine Verbindung mit den Charakteren aufbaut, was das Lesen echt schwierig machte.
Bewertung:
★★☆☆☆
Inhalt
»Es ist das Jahr 1993. Bill Clinton wird Präsident der USA und Nirvana veröffentlichen ihr drittes Album »In Utero«. In diesem Jahr zieht Maggie mit ihrer Familie von Chicago nach Bray, einen verschlafenen Ort an der irischen Küste. Sie muss viel zurücklassen, besonders aber vermisst sie ihren chaotischen Onkel Kevin: nur zehn Jahre älter, seines Zeichens Rockmusiker und größter lebender Nirvana-Fan.
Aller Anfang ist schwer. Immerhin ist das Eoin, der Maggie mit seinem unergründlichen Lächeln ziemlich durcheinanderbringt. Doch während die beiden sich näherkommen, erreicht Maggie eine furchtbare Nachricht: Onkel Kevin ist gestorben! Alles, was Maggie von ihm bleibt: Zwei Tickets für ein Nirvana-Konzert in Rom. Und ein Brief, in dem er Maggie auffordert, sich unbedingt auf den Weg zu machen und dabei den Jungen mitzunehmen, den sie liebt. Und Maggie? Setzt sich über alle Verbote hinweg und wagt den Trip nach Rom. Zusammen mit Eoin ...«
Meine Meinung:
Ich liebe Nirvana, eine der, meiner Meinung nach, besten Bands, die es jemals gab. Daher hat mich der Titel und die Beschreibung dieses Buches sofort angesprochen. Ich hatte gehofft hier eine Geschichte zu bekommen, in der mein viel über Musik, u. a. eben Nirvana, und den Weg von Maggie & Eoin zu dem Konzert in Rom erfährt, aber hier wurde ich leider enttäuscht. Es wurden nur wenige Musiker und Titel genannt und auch der 'Trip nach Rom' nimmt nur ca. 15-20 % des kompletten Buches ein. Da habe ich mir wesentlich mehr erhofft. Der Klappentext weckt Erwartungen, die so während des Buches nicht erfüllt werden.
Ich hatte über das komplette Buch hinweg Probleme mit der Geschichte. Es lies sich zwar relativ schnell lesen, aber ich bin einfach nicht richtig in die Geschichte reingekommen und ich konnte auch überhaupt keine Verbindung mit den Charakteren aufbaut, was das Lesen echt schwierig machte.
Bewertung:
★★☆☆☆
March 22, 2015
There's almost a subgenre in YA of books were girls take off with just a few things in a backpack and go to see the world. They usually end up in a youth hostel, making new friends, possibly getting robbed, but ultimately having a life-changing experience. Think 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES or WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN. And in many ways, this is another addition to that subgenre, but it's also something more. It's gritty, and dark, and has a lot to say about mothers and daughters, about growing up, about love and hate and music and identity. It's really quite a stunning debut, and I agree whole-heartedly with the Printz Honor that it was awarded. I never would have found this book without that, and that would have been a shame.
This book made me wonder if I hadn't been almost too straight as a teen. I never ran away, crashed in a youth hostel, and backpacked across Europe! I think I may have missed out on some transformative experience . . . but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to have some of these experiences! Perhaps it's better to read about some things! That's why, if you're wondering, that this is four stars and not five. At times it was almost too gritty, too harsh, and it was hard to read. But I never even thought about putting it aside, because I loved all the characters too much. Maggie, and Eoin, and Dan Sean, and all of them. And Sister Geneve! *heart breaks*
This was definitely a great year for the Printz Award!
This book made me wonder if I hadn't been almost too straight as a teen. I never ran away, crashed in a youth hostel, and backpacked across Europe! I think I may have missed out on some transformative experience . . . but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to have some of these experiences! Perhaps it's better to read about some things! That's why, if you're wondering, that this is four stars and not five. At times it was almost too gritty, too harsh, and it was hard to read. But I never even thought about putting it aside, because I loved all the characters too much. Maggie, and Eoin, and Dan Sean, and all of them. And Sister Geneve! *heart breaks*
This was definitely a great year for the Printz Award!
July 11, 2016
Geschichten, die in den Neunzigern spielen und dazu noch gute Musik thematisieren, sind bei mir immer sehr gerne gesehen, von daher habe ich mich sehr gefreut, dass ich "Das Jahr, in dem sich Kurt Cobain das Leben nahm" bereits vor dem Erscheinungstag lesen durfte. Hier habe ich mir eine melancholische Geschichte voller Musik gewünscht und ich muss leider sagen, dass ich letztendlich doch ein wenig enttäuscht bin.
Dabei hat die Geschichte durchaus Potential, denn die Autorin besitzt einen sehr angenehmen Schreibstil, der sich leicht und flüssig lesen lässt und auch die Liebe zur Musik wird hervorragend rüber gebracht. Mein Problem war jedoch, dass mir bei der Geschichte der ganz große Kracher, bzw. die Besonderheit gefehlt hat. Hier liest sich alles nett, aber irgendwas fehlte, um mich komplett an die Geschichte zu fesseln.
Ein weiteres Problem waren die Figuren. Ich hätte sie gern gemocht, allerdings habe ich auch nach Beendigung des Buches nicht das Gefühl gehabt, als hätte ich Maggie, ihre Mutter, ihren Onkel Kevin oder auch Eoin großartig kennengelernt. Jessie Ann Foley beschreibt die Figuren leider nur sehr oberflächlich und viel zu distanziert, sodass ich leider niemanden von ihnen ins Herz schließen, bzw. mich großartig in sie hineinversetzen konnte. Dies ist unglaublich schade, denn hätte man den Figuren mehr Zeit gegeben und Maggie und Co. nicht so durch die Geschichte gehetzt, hätten sie mich möglicherweise mehr berühren können.
Dabei ist die Idee, ein solch schweres Schicksal wie Kevins Tod mit Musik zu verbinden, gar nicht mal schlecht. Auch die kleine Liebesgeschichte wirkt authentisch und wird von der Autorin nicht zu kitschig dargestellt, allerdings hat die Distanz für mich zu viel kaputt gemacht. Man erfährt hier zwar einiges über die Gefühle und Gedanken von Maggie, allerdings blieb sie mir dennoch fremd, da ihr Handeln manchmal nichts mit ihren Gefühlen zu tun hatte. Hätte man die Figuren ein wenig liebevoller ausgearbeitet und der Geschichte noch ein bis zwei Highlights verpasst, hätte ich wohl weitaus mehr Spaß an der Geschichte gehabt.
Das Cover ist nett anzusehen, passt aber meiner Meinung nach nicht zwingend zu der Geschichte. Hier wäre es besser gewesen, wenn man etwas im Bezug auf das Konzert, bzw. mehr mit Musik dargestellt hätte. Bei der Kurzbeschreibung habe ich leider auch so meine Probleme. Diese liest sich zwar an sich recht gut, allerdings verrät sie meiner Meinung nach viel zu viel, sodass man nicht mehr überrascht wurde.
Kurz gesagt: "Das Jahr, in dem sich Kurt Cobain das Leben nahm" hätte so gut werden können, allerdings hat mir insgesamt die Besonderheit gefehlt und auch die Figuren wirkten viel zu distanziert, um sich tatsächlich in sie hineinversetzen zu können. Es ist zwar insgesamt eine nette Geschichte, wird für mich aber wohl nicht allzu lange im Gedächtnis bleiben.
Dabei hat die Geschichte durchaus Potential, denn die Autorin besitzt einen sehr angenehmen Schreibstil, der sich leicht und flüssig lesen lässt und auch die Liebe zur Musik wird hervorragend rüber gebracht. Mein Problem war jedoch, dass mir bei der Geschichte der ganz große Kracher, bzw. die Besonderheit gefehlt hat. Hier liest sich alles nett, aber irgendwas fehlte, um mich komplett an die Geschichte zu fesseln.
Ein weiteres Problem waren die Figuren. Ich hätte sie gern gemocht, allerdings habe ich auch nach Beendigung des Buches nicht das Gefühl gehabt, als hätte ich Maggie, ihre Mutter, ihren Onkel Kevin oder auch Eoin großartig kennengelernt. Jessie Ann Foley beschreibt die Figuren leider nur sehr oberflächlich und viel zu distanziert, sodass ich leider niemanden von ihnen ins Herz schließen, bzw. mich großartig in sie hineinversetzen konnte. Dies ist unglaublich schade, denn hätte man den Figuren mehr Zeit gegeben und Maggie und Co. nicht so durch die Geschichte gehetzt, hätten sie mich möglicherweise mehr berühren können.
Dabei ist die Idee, ein solch schweres Schicksal wie Kevins Tod mit Musik zu verbinden, gar nicht mal schlecht. Auch die kleine Liebesgeschichte wirkt authentisch und wird von der Autorin nicht zu kitschig dargestellt, allerdings hat die Distanz für mich zu viel kaputt gemacht. Man erfährt hier zwar einiges über die Gefühle und Gedanken von Maggie, allerdings blieb sie mir dennoch fremd, da ihr Handeln manchmal nichts mit ihren Gefühlen zu tun hatte. Hätte man die Figuren ein wenig liebevoller ausgearbeitet und der Geschichte noch ein bis zwei Highlights verpasst, hätte ich wohl weitaus mehr Spaß an der Geschichte gehabt.
Das Cover ist nett anzusehen, passt aber meiner Meinung nach nicht zwingend zu der Geschichte. Hier wäre es besser gewesen, wenn man etwas im Bezug auf das Konzert, bzw. mehr mit Musik dargestellt hätte. Bei der Kurzbeschreibung habe ich leider auch so meine Probleme. Diese liest sich zwar an sich recht gut, allerdings verrät sie meiner Meinung nach viel zu viel, sodass man nicht mehr überrascht wurde.
Kurz gesagt: "Das Jahr, in dem sich Kurt Cobain das Leben nahm" hätte so gut werden können, allerdings hat mir insgesamt die Besonderheit gefehlt und auch die Figuren wirkten viel zu distanziert, um sich tatsächlich in sie hineinversetzen zu können. Es ist zwar insgesamt eine nette Geschichte, wird für mich aber wohl nicht allzu lange im Gedächtnis bleiben.
November 11, 2016
I'm always interested in reading the Printz award books, which I find usually have great writing, interesting (if controversial) topics, insightful themes and plots, or intriguing characters. But I have to be honest with you, this book, while not terrible, failed to meet any of those criteria. It was really just . . . meh. The writing wasn't bad, but it didn't stand out in any way. The characters weren't completely boring, but they didn't inspire any real interest or sympathy. Even the one character who was somewhat interesting, Maggie's Uncle Kevin, was never fully developed. We were only given a little glimpse of who he was and how he got there.
The setting could have been really interesting -- placed in 1994 Ireland. But we never really get a sense of the place. It could have been Anytown, USA. And a big disappointment for me was that we never got a true sense of the character or her family, either. We're told they're kind of a white trash, less than civilized crew, and we get a few details to support that, but they never actually feel that way. Not in the way that Heather Demetrios made me truly feel what it's like to be a part of a low-end, "white trash" family in I'll Meet You There.
Having said all that, though, I want to reiterate that it wasn't a terrible read. It was a nice little young-adult romance, but with nothing new to inspire or excite. I guess my expectations were high because of the Printz Award, so for me, it was a bit of a disappointment.
The setting could have been really interesting -- placed in 1994 Ireland. But we never really get a sense of the place. It could have been Anytown, USA. And a big disappointment for me was that we never got a true sense of the character or her family, either. We're told they're kind of a white trash, less than civilized crew, and we get a few details to support that, but they never actually feel that way. Not in the way that Heather Demetrios made me truly feel what it's like to be a part of a low-end, "white trash" family in I'll Meet You There.
Having said all that, though, I want to reiterate that it wasn't a terrible read. It was a nice little young-adult romance, but with nothing new to inspire or excite. I guess my expectations were high because of the Printz Award, so for me, it was a bit of a disappointment.
August 15, 2015
What a beautiful story—so good I read the final 50 pages twice. This is only Jessie Ann Foley's first novel, but she is absolutely on my watch list. A lot of YA novels deal with the power of music, but I don't think any came as close to capturing my experience of falling in love with song. Maybe it helps that the book takes place in the early 90s and the main character is indoctrinated in the rising grunge movement at a Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream album release show at the Metro in my hometown of Chicago (while I was visiting Chicago, surprisingly enough). Maybe it helps that, according to the interview with the author in the back of the book, Foley was listening to a lot of the same music I was listening to when I was 16. But there is no doubt there are some stunning passages in this book. Foley writes with an effortless, almost imperceptible third person perspective, and this is rare in YA. This is more than "just a YA novel"...it's a coming of age story that transcends genre.
The book has some unrealistic moments (and possibly uneven turns), but there is no denying that this one really resonated with me. It reminded me of Tell the Wolves I'm Home—which was one of my favourite books of the past 10 years. Definitely check this one out.
The book has some unrealistic moments (and possibly uneven turns), but there is no denying that this one really resonated with me. It reminded me of Tell the Wolves I'm Home—which was one of my favourite books of the past 10 years. Definitely check this one out.
July 16, 2016
Danke an Netgalley und One für das Rezensionsexemplar.
Ich hatte meine Teeniezeit in den 90er Jahren, daher war ich sehr gespannt das Buch und habe ich mich auf viele Assoziationen in dieser Richtung gefreut. Leider ist es bei der Nennung von ein paar Bandnamen und deren Songs geblieben.
Das Buch konnte mich ganz gut unterhalten, aber leider ist nicht wirklich viel passiert. Wir begleiten Maggie ein Jahr lang bei ihrem Umzug von den USA nach Irland, wie sie sich dort zurecht findet und allerlei erste Male des Teeniedaseins.
Es gab ein paar unterhaltsame und auch nachdenkliche Momente, aber leider auch Phasen, in denen eher Langweile beim Lesen aufkam.
Es kam leider auch erschwerend hinzu, dass ich mit den Charakteren nicht warm geworden bin. Maggie ist für mich sehr unnahbar und auch eher unsympathisch geblieben. Einzig ihr Onkel Kevin war für mich ein richtiger Charakter.
Der Schreibstil konnte mich leider auch nicht so richtig mitnehmen. Stellenweise fand ich ihn für ein Jugendbuch sehr derbe. Dies gilt auch für einige sexuellen Szenen, die für meinen Geschmack etwas zu viel waren.
Das Buch kann man lesen, ist für mich aber nicht das Highlight, das ich erwartet habe.
Ich hatte meine Teeniezeit in den 90er Jahren, daher war ich sehr gespannt das Buch und habe ich mich auf viele Assoziationen in dieser Richtung gefreut. Leider ist es bei der Nennung von ein paar Bandnamen und deren Songs geblieben.
Das Buch konnte mich ganz gut unterhalten, aber leider ist nicht wirklich viel passiert. Wir begleiten Maggie ein Jahr lang bei ihrem Umzug von den USA nach Irland, wie sie sich dort zurecht findet und allerlei erste Male des Teeniedaseins.
Es gab ein paar unterhaltsame und auch nachdenkliche Momente, aber leider auch Phasen, in denen eher Langweile beim Lesen aufkam.
Es kam leider auch erschwerend hinzu, dass ich mit den Charakteren nicht warm geworden bin. Maggie ist für mich sehr unnahbar und auch eher unsympathisch geblieben. Einzig ihr Onkel Kevin war für mich ein richtiger Charakter.
Der Schreibstil konnte mich leider auch nicht so richtig mitnehmen. Stellenweise fand ich ihn für ein Jugendbuch sehr derbe. Dies gilt auch für einige sexuellen Szenen, die für meinen Geschmack etwas zu viel waren.
Das Buch kann man lesen, ist für mich aber nicht das Highlight, das ich erwartet habe.
December 4, 2018
I think the main theme for this book is how friendship can take you through hard times, and how important friendship is. In this book, Maggie the main character just moved to Bray in Ireland. When she first arrived in school, she had no friends but her uncle. She was kind of depressed, but one day, her uncle Kevin gave her two tickets to her favorite artist's concert. Kevin also found her a boyfriend with his amazing social skills. She got really excited. When she decided to go to the concert, she was struck by bad news. Kevin died. So she decided to go to the concert to relieve her stress. Since she didn't have much money, she had to live in a backpacker's inn. This did not go well. Her roommates stole everything she had and just left. She immediately called Eon, her boyfriend when she found out. Eon came right away. They ended up finding the thieves and retrieving the tickets back. This is another piece of evidence of how friendship can be important when you are going through hard times. In the end, they had a great time together at the concert and this is why I think friendship is the main theme of this book.
October 9, 2014
Full disclosure: I was chosen a First Reads winner, and received a paperback copy of The Carnival at Bray in the mail. That in no way influenced the review that follows.
This coming-of-age novel may be considered YA, but it's captivating enough that adults will enjoy it, especially since it is set in 1993; someone in her teens then is, of course, in her thirties now. I also liked that choice of a time frame because Maggie, the 16-year-old protagonist, is uprooted from her home in Chicago and moves with her mother, younger sister, and mother's new husband to his home in Bray, a small town on the Irish Sea. In this era before skype, Maggie is forced to find new people she can rely on (as her grandmother and favorite young uncle are still in Chicago) and to fend for herself in many new ways. The relationships she forges are each unique and intriguing, some positive and some not so, and she definitely learns along the way.
I loved the characterizations and the descriptions of the locales, but also very much enjoyed the story and the writing style. This is Jessie Ann Foley's first book, but I hope it won't be her last. I am looking forward to seeing what she writes next!
This coming-of-age novel may be considered YA, but it's captivating enough that adults will enjoy it, especially since it is set in 1993; someone in her teens then is, of course, in her thirties now. I also liked that choice of a time frame because Maggie, the 16-year-old protagonist, is uprooted from her home in Chicago and moves with her mother, younger sister, and mother's new husband to his home in Bray, a small town on the Irish Sea. In this era before skype, Maggie is forced to find new people she can rely on (as her grandmother and favorite young uncle are still in Chicago) and to fend for herself in many new ways. The relationships she forges are each unique and intriguing, some positive and some not so, and she definitely learns along the way.
I loved the characterizations and the descriptions of the locales, but also very much enjoyed the story and the writing style. This is Jessie Ann Foley's first book, but I hope it won't be her last. I am looking forward to seeing what she writes next!
September 24, 2014
Such a great novel, a must read !!!!
I fell in love with the everything about this novel. Way to go Jessie Foley :)
I fell in love with the everything about this novel. Way to go Jessie Foley :)
February 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I really knew nothing of Nirvana or Kurt Cobain other than he had died in the 90's and lots of young people were devastated by his shocking suicide.. I listened to this book and I felt that the narrator did an excellent job with accents and singing. This story really drew me in - I loved the author's descriptions of Ireland and Rome and I could almost imagine being there.
July 26, 2016
Danke an NetGalley und One / Bastei Lübbe für das digitale Rezensionsexemplar.
„Das Jahr, in dem sich Kurt Cobain das Leben nahm“ spielt im Jahr 1993, in dem die 16 Jahre alte Maggie mit ihrer Familie von den USA nach Irland zieht. Maggie tut sich schwer ihren Onkel Kevin zurückzulassen – ihren Vertrauten, der ihr die Liebe zur Musik zeigte – und sich in ihr neues Umfeld einzufinden. Dann erreicht Maggie eine schlimme Nachricht und was ihr bleibt sind zwei Tickets für ein Nirvana Konzert in Rom.
Das Cover gefällt mir gut und erinnert mich stark an das Nirvana Album „Nevermind“. In Verbindung zum Titel und dem Buchinhalt ist eine musikbezogene Gestaltung gut gewählt. Besonders war für mich auch der Rahmen dieses Buches – Irland, Rom, die 90er und Nirvana. Das alles hebt das Buch ab von den vielen anderen Young Adult Büchern, die auch Themen wie den Umzug in eine neue Stadt, Verlust, Tragödien und das Finden von neuen, besonderen Personen ansprechen.
Die aus der dritten Person erzählten Geschichte lässt einen schnell in die Geschehnisse eintauchen, nur die Charaktere blieben mir bis zum Schluss fremd. Vielleicht lag das auch an der Erzählung in der dritten Person, die zwar flüssig war, aber durch die Perspektive eine gewisse Distanziertheit mitbrachte. Das war schade, denn so verfolgte ich zwar die Personen, fühlte aber leider gar nicht mit. Die schwache Handlung konnte das leider auch nicht wettmachen.
Die Autorin hat hier jedoch eine kurzweilige Geschichte für Zwischendurch geschrieben, die ein bisschen Nostalgie aufkommen ließ und mich dazu gebracht hat meine alten CDs wieder hervorzuholen.
„Das Jahr, in dem sich Kurt Cobain das Leben nahm“ spielt im Jahr 1993, in dem die 16 Jahre alte Maggie mit ihrer Familie von den USA nach Irland zieht. Maggie tut sich schwer ihren Onkel Kevin zurückzulassen – ihren Vertrauten, der ihr die Liebe zur Musik zeigte – und sich in ihr neues Umfeld einzufinden. Dann erreicht Maggie eine schlimme Nachricht und was ihr bleibt sind zwei Tickets für ein Nirvana Konzert in Rom.
Das Cover gefällt mir gut und erinnert mich stark an das Nirvana Album „Nevermind“. In Verbindung zum Titel und dem Buchinhalt ist eine musikbezogene Gestaltung gut gewählt. Besonders war für mich auch der Rahmen dieses Buches – Irland, Rom, die 90er und Nirvana. Das alles hebt das Buch ab von den vielen anderen Young Adult Büchern, die auch Themen wie den Umzug in eine neue Stadt, Verlust, Tragödien und das Finden von neuen, besonderen Personen ansprechen.
Die aus der dritten Person erzählten Geschichte lässt einen schnell in die Geschehnisse eintauchen, nur die Charaktere blieben mir bis zum Schluss fremd. Vielleicht lag das auch an der Erzählung in der dritten Person, die zwar flüssig war, aber durch die Perspektive eine gewisse Distanziertheit mitbrachte. Das war schade, denn so verfolgte ich zwar die Personen, fühlte aber leider gar nicht mit. Die schwache Handlung konnte das leider auch nicht wettmachen.
Die Autorin hat hier jedoch eine kurzweilige Geschichte für Zwischendurch geschrieben, die ein bisschen Nostalgie aufkommen ließ und mich dazu gebracht hat meine alten CDs wieder hervorzuholen.
September 14, 2014
The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley is a different kind of Young Adult novel. It's one of the few that is actually enjoyable and intellectually stimulating enough for an adult audience, while still carrying all the themes and conflicts that young adults crave.
I found that I couldn't put the book down, and I attribute that to the incredible characters. Maggie is the misfit girl we all were growing up, the one who discovers the power of music and is changed forever. Uncle Kevin gives Maggie the gift of music and teaches her things about life that her man crazy mother never could, even after Maggie is ripped away from him and forced to move to Ireland with her mother's newest husband. Then there are all the quirky people Maggie meets in her small town in Ireland, including the oldest man in the town who then becomes her confidant on everything including the boy she falls in love with.
It's Maggie's journey across Ireland and Europe, against her mother's wishes, to make it to the Nirvana concert where the real adventure plays out. The whole thing reads like a Nirvana song would: grungy and emotional with a strong sense of story.
This book is a nostalgic work of art for anyone who claims the '90s as their era.
I found that I couldn't put the book down, and I attribute that to the incredible characters. Maggie is the misfit girl we all were growing up, the one who discovers the power of music and is changed forever. Uncle Kevin gives Maggie the gift of music and teaches her things about life that her man crazy mother never could, even after Maggie is ripped away from him and forced to move to Ireland with her mother's newest husband. Then there are all the quirky people Maggie meets in her small town in Ireland, including the oldest man in the town who then becomes her confidant on everything including the boy she falls in love with.
It's Maggie's journey across Ireland and Europe, against her mother's wishes, to make it to the Nirvana concert where the real adventure plays out. The whole thing reads like a Nirvana song would: grungy and emotional with a strong sense of story.
This book is a nostalgic work of art for anyone who claims the '90s as their era.
May 5, 2015
This book was amazing.
To me, this book represents my entire generation. It was one of those reads that made me feel the magic of what it was to be a teenager. It made me feel like anything was possible. This book encompassed so many big topics. Things like death, suicide, sex (both the first awkward/terrible/unhealthy sexual experiences and the healthy sexual experiences) and what it means to be a teenager. This book was set in Ireland which made for such a fantastic back drop for the story.
Using Kurt Cobain as a pop culture figure in this book also really enhanced the reading. Nirvana had such a large cult following which made this book that much more believable.
I loved watching the main character grow and find confidence in herself. It reminded me of similar experiences I had growing up, which I think is what the author intended.
This book was edgy and inspiring. It definately made my wanderlust kick in again! If you love to travel, if you like coming of age stories, if you believe in love and loss and miss the magic of the teen years, this book is for you.
To me, this book represents my entire generation. It was one of those reads that made me feel the magic of what it was to be a teenager. It made me feel like anything was possible. This book encompassed so many big topics. Things like death, suicide, sex (both the first awkward/terrible/unhealthy sexual experiences and the healthy sexual experiences) and what it means to be a teenager. This book was set in Ireland which made for such a fantastic back drop for the story.
Using Kurt Cobain as a pop culture figure in this book also really enhanced the reading. Nirvana had such a large cult following which made this book that much more believable.
I loved watching the main character grow and find confidence in herself. It reminded me of similar experiences I had growing up, which I think is what the author intended.
This book was edgy and inspiring. It definately made my wanderlust kick in again! If you love to travel, if you like coming of age stories, if you believe in love and loss and miss the magic of the teen years, this book is for you.
January 22, 2016
I was surprised by how much I actually ended up enjoying this book. I put it off for so long that I really wasn't sure what to expect. I liked the relationship that Maggie had with her uncle even though her uncle was super toxic.
It is definitely something that I would only recommend to upperclassmen because of one of the situations that happened earlier on in the book. I'm surprised in the review that I saw from SLJ that they didn't mention this at all.
I'm not a fan of the cover of the book. I wish they had done something else with it.
I feel like now I need to go find my Nirvana unplugged album.
It is definitely something that I would only recommend to upperclassmen because of one of the situations that happened earlier on in the book. I'm surprised in the review that I saw from SLJ that they didn't mention this at all.
I'm not a fan of the cover of the book. I wish they had done something else with it.
I feel like now I need to go find my Nirvana unplugged album.
May 29, 2015
2.5 stars. The book was okay, but it read to me like a an ode to a decade that the author just missed as a kid and so she idealized it in a way that didn't ring quite true. It didn't capture the nineties in an authentic way for a book so much about the music of the nineties. Younger readers probably won't have an issue with it.
October 1, 2024
Gorgeous, wistful, nostalgic deliciousness: a perfect Gen X lovesong.
May 12, 2024
The Carnival at Bray was chosen for our YA Book Club for March due to its Irish connections. And what a choice it was. The Carnival at Bray was an excellent novel. A lovely coming-of-age story about an American teenage girl being forced to move to Bray, Ireland after her mom marries an Irishman, the book gave me vibes of kin to The Perks of Being a Wildflower. It's a novel that well captures the feeling of isolation one often feels as an adolescent and having to adjust to new experiences.
Foley works in great detailed character arcs as we follow Maggie throughout her journey. Firmly set in the 90's, the details of Nirvana being a cultural force and Smashing Pumpkins inform the growth Maggie goes through. She navigates love, identity, and more while dealing with adjustment to Irish culture.
The book works really well due to the details of the relationships. Maggie has a rocker uncle she idolizes as a mentor, and also forms a friendship with an elderly Irish gentleman. The details of these character breathes life into the whole story and help show us more of Maggie. She also has a complicated relationship with her mom, which is one of those great ones where the flaws are there and on display but there's also a great love hidden beneath it all.
While the book certainly becomes a lot, especially when Maggie sneaks off to Rome with a boy she likes, it dances just enough on the edge of realism to be exciting and still grounded. It captures that feeling of being young and burdened by all that lack of experience and trying to find one's place in the world.
Blending together an immigrant story with a coming-of-age story is just a smart move. The film Brooklyn did the reverse of this quite well. And Foley's book does it quite well and stands up as one of the best YA novels I've read in a long while.
Foley works in great detailed character arcs as we follow Maggie throughout her journey. Firmly set in the 90's, the details of Nirvana being a cultural force and Smashing Pumpkins inform the growth Maggie goes through. She navigates love, identity, and more while dealing with adjustment to Irish culture.
The book works really well due to the details of the relationships. Maggie has a rocker uncle she idolizes as a mentor, and also forms a friendship with an elderly Irish gentleman. The details of these character breathes life into the whole story and help show us more of Maggie. She also has a complicated relationship with her mom, which is one of those great ones where the flaws are there and on display but there's also a great love hidden beneath it all.
While the book certainly becomes a lot, especially when Maggie sneaks off to Rome with a boy she likes, it dances just enough on the edge of realism to be exciting and still grounded. It captures that feeling of being young and burdened by all that lack of experience and trying to find one's place in the world.
Blending together an immigrant story with a coming-of-age story is just a smart move. The film Brooklyn did the reverse of this quite well. And Foley's book does it quite well and stands up as one of the best YA novels I've read in a long while.
June 10, 2019
For as many years as she could remember, Maggie's life was constantly being disrupted so her mother could follow her latest love interest. It was an endless cycle of watching her mother fall in and out of love, and Maggie, inevitably, was left picking up the pieces. This time, Maggie was forced to relocate across the Atlantic, to the small Irish town of Bray. It was in these new surroundings that Maggie experienced some wonderful and devastating firsts, while also finding herself.
Another emotional read courtesy of Jessie Ann Foley. From the onset of this novel, I felt nothing by empathy for Maggie. My heart broke for her, when she was forced to leave her Nanny Ei, the most stable person in her life, and her Uncle Kevin, who she adored, to start anew in Bray. It's hard enough moving to a new place, but then she had the additional challenge of learning the cultural norms of her new home. The loneliness and isolation she felt was remarkable.
But she did find a friend in Dan Sean, the almost centenarian of Bray. It was lovely seeing her appreciation for all the years he had spent on the earth and the wisdom he had gathered during that time. They sat, and passed time together, but she sometimes sought his assistance in matters of the heart, which I found terribly sweet.
I also adored, Eoin. Eoin was a little bit broken due to his past with his mother, but he had the most tender heart. His love and loyalty to Maggie was a thing of beauty. He was key for Maggie. Knowing him, and being known by him, helped Maggie unlock a lot of things about herself.
I know from reading an interview, that Foley had not selected this time period in order to exploit the grunge scene, but I loved the way she wove the music and events of the era into the story. For Maggie, her love of music was knitted with her love for her Uncle Kevin. It was him, who brought her to her first club show, sent her care packages of Spin magazine, and tasked her with seeing Nirvana live in Rome.
This book was equal parts family drama and teen drama, which was heartfelt, emotional, messy, and realistic.
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Another emotional read courtesy of Jessie Ann Foley. From the onset of this novel, I felt nothing by empathy for Maggie. My heart broke for her, when she was forced to leave her Nanny Ei, the most stable person in her life, and her Uncle Kevin, who she adored, to start anew in Bray. It's hard enough moving to a new place, but then she had the additional challenge of learning the cultural norms of her new home. The loneliness and isolation she felt was remarkable.
But she did find a friend in Dan Sean, the almost centenarian of Bray. It was lovely seeing her appreciation for all the years he had spent on the earth and the wisdom he had gathered during that time. They sat, and passed time together, but she sometimes sought his assistance in matters of the heart, which I found terribly sweet.
I also adored, Eoin. Eoin was a little bit broken due to his past with his mother, but he had the most tender heart. His love and loyalty to Maggie was a thing of beauty. He was key for Maggie. Knowing him, and being known by him, helped Maggie unlock a lot of things about herself.
I know from reading an interview, that Foley had not selected this time period in order to exploit the grunge scene, but I loved the way she wove the music and events of the era into the story. For Maggie, her love of music was knitted with her love for her Uncle Kevin. It was him, who brought her to her first club show, sent her care packages of Spin magazine, and tasked her with seeing Nirvana live in Rome.
This book was equal parts family drama and teen drama, which was heartfelt, emotional, messy, and realistic.
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May 6, 2015
Maggie lives in Chicago with her loving Nana, annoying and precocious little sister (Ronnie), high-maintenance mom, and her godfather, Uncle Kevin. Ah, Uncle Kevin - only 10 years younger than Maggie. He’s the coolest of cool - plays guitar in a band, smokes and drinks, has tons of friends, and takes Maggie to epic concerts (well, one epic concert and I mean EPIC - the Smashing Pumpkins’ album release show for Siamese Dream at a small club in the city). Needlesstosay, Maggie worships Uncle Kevin. So, when Mom announces that she has fallen in love with Colm, the two of them are getting married, and Mom, Colm, Maggie, and Ronnie are leaving Nana and Uncle Kevin and moving to Ireland, Maggie is not thrilled. As it turns out, she doesn’t hate Ireland. She’s just lonely. Her only true friend is 99 years old - Dan Sean, the elder of Bray. Until one foggy night, stumbling home in the dark after a late night of drinking port with Dan Sean, she runs into Eoin. Oh, Eoin, you Irish cutie, you. Just as their friendship begins to develop into more, tragedy strikes Maggie’s family. And it leads Maggie on a rebellious pilgrimage to see Nirvana in Rome, where romance, grunge, and awesomeness ensue.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Throughout this two-sitting read, I found myself randomly crying - not at the family tragedy or even the expected death, but just at Foley’s phrasing and the way she totally captured what it feels like to be a teenager. She perfectly described what it feels like to fall in love for the first time. You know how everyone always told you, “you’ll just know,” when you asked how you’ll know when it’s really love? Well, Foley SHOWS (not tells) the reader what falling in love looks like. And feels like. And I can’t remember the last time a book did that. When Eoin tells Maggie, “I can be the person who won’t hurt you,” I melted. Foley also nails the mother/teenage daughter relationship. Maggie says, “It was exhausting, hating and loving her all at once.” Yep. I remember that. Foley created a character in Dan Sean whose friendship allowed Maggie to find herself. She made beautiful connections between Dan Sean’s Catholic religion and her grunge religion (or religion of Uncle Kevin). Finally, Jessie Ann Foley writes travel porn. Especially Roman travel porn. Two of my favorite descriptions: “It stood, gaping, half-crumbled and half-perfect, seeming to have burst forth from the past, a fist through the earth of this magic city” and “Rome was under their nails, in their hair, and Maggie knew that when they awoke, they would never be able to wash it out.” I could go on and on.
I am so excited to tell everyone I know about this book and to read everything else Jessie Ann Foley will write.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Throughout this two-sitting read, I found myself randomly crying - not at the family tragedy or even the expected death, but just at Foley’s phrasing and the way she totally captured what it feels like to be a teenager. She perfectly described what it feels like to fall in love for the first time. You know how everyone always told you, “you’ll just know,” when you asked how you’ll know when it’s really love? Well, Foley SHOWS (not tells) the reader what falling in love looks like. And feels like. And I can’t remember the last time a book did that. When Eoin tells Maggie, “I can be the person who won’t hurt you,” I melted. Foley also nails the mother/teenage daughter relationship. Maggie says, “It was exhausting, hating and loving her all at once.” Yep. I remember that. Foley created a character in Dan Sean whose friendship allowed Maggie to find herself. She made beautiful connections between Dan Sean’s Catholic religion and her grunge religion (or religion of Uncle Kevin). Finally, Jessie Ann Foley writes travel porn. Especially Roman travel porn. Two of my favorite descriptions: “It stood, gaping, half-crumbled and half-perfect, seeming to have burst forth from the past, a fist through the earth of this magic city” and “Rome was under their nails, in their hair, and Maggie knew that when they awoke, they would never be able to wash it out.” I could go on and on.
I am so excited to tell everyone I know about this book and to read everything else Jessie Ann Foley will write.
October 1, 2015
The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley is the quintessential coming-of-age tale. It centers on Maggie Lynch, a 16-year-old girl whose life has just been uprooted by a move to Ireland. Throughout the move, Maggie learns about herself and about the people around her. Her mother Laura, her stepfather Colm, her sister Ronnie, her grandmother Nanny Ei, her Uncle Kevin, and friends Dan Sean, Aíne, Eoin among others all play vital roles in Maggie’s self-development.
I enjoyed this book because I felt that it was deeply relatable for teenagers. Perhaps not everyone could relate to everything that Maggie went through, but everyone can relate to some aspect of Maggie’s life. Maggie had to deal with a big move across continents, missing home, feeling alone, a first love, an unhealthy relationship, death, suicide, and family antics as well as just teenage girl things, like make-up and acne. Surely, any reader can find something to relate to in the novel.
An interesting aspect of the book is that way that it is written. The novel is written in 3rd person; however, I frequently forgot that it was 3rd person and not 1st person. As a reader, I felt that I got a very clear picture of Maggie’s emotions, feelings, and thoughts. The book stayed true to focusing on her, rather than dipping into the minds of others, which is sometimes the case in 3rd person writing. I would have preferred the book to be written in 1st person because I felt such a connection when Maggie; however, whenever I read, “Maggie did this” or “Maggie did that,” I felt like my connection was broken and I had to rebuild it.
The setting was great and I loved the idea that it was set in 1993. Considering that I was only born in 1994, I found it interesting to read about. I liked learning about the time period that I lived in, but was just too young to remember. Unfortunately, for younger readers, sometimes I think they might miss some of the details and references to 1993-specific things.
Overall, it was a great read! Can’t wait to read more by this author.
I enjoyed this book because I felt that it was deeply relatable for teenagers. Perhaps not everyone could relate to everything that Maggie went through, but everyone can relate to some aspect of Maggie’s life. Maggie had to deal with a big move across continents, missing home, feeling alone, a first love, an unhealthy relationship, death, suicide, and family antics as well as just teenage girl things, like make-up and acne. Surely, any reader can find something to relate to in the novel.
An interesting aspect of the book is that way that it is written. The novel is written in 3rd person; however, I frequently forgot that it was 3rd person and not 1st person. As a reader, I felt that I got a very clear picture of Maggie’s emotions, feelings, and thoughts. The book stayed true to focusing on her, rather than dipping into the minds of others, which is sometimes the case in 3rd person writing. I would have preferred the book to be written in 1st person because I felt such a connection when Maggie; however, whenever I read, “Maggie did this” or “Maggie did that,” I felt like my connection was broken and I had to rebuild it.
The setting was great and I loved the idea that it was set in 1993. Considering that I was only born in 1994, I found it interesting to read about. I liked learning about the time period that I lived in, but was just too young to remember. Unfortunately, for younger readers, sometimes I think they might miss some of the details and references to 1993-specific things.
Overall, it was a great read! Can’t wait to read more by this author.
December 18, 2016
Wunderbar gefühlvoll und lebensnah
Maggie hat es grade nicht so leicht. Ihre Mutter hat nach zig wechselnden Freunden nun endlich einen Mann geheiratet. Aber der wohnt in Irland und sie nun auch. So ganz einleben kann sie sich nicht. Sie findet nur langsam Anschluss und zu ihrer Mutter wird der Abstand immer größer. Nur die Carepakete ihres coolen, 26 Jahre alten Rocker Onkels halten sie über Wasser. Doch sie lernt Eoin kennen und schon scheint alles weniger schlimm. Bis etwas Schreckliches passiert und sie sich fragen muss, was wirklich wichtig ist.
Ich bin wirklich begeistert von diesem Buch. Es ist genauso, wie ich es erwartet habe. Diese Geschichte erzählt feinfühlig wie Maggie mit 16 ihre ersten richtigen Erfahrungen im Leben macht und zeigt gut ihre Ängste, Wünsche und Gefühle. Obwohl es vor allem um die Teenies geht, ist dieses Buch nicht teeniehaft geschrieben. Klar verwenden Maggie und ihre Freunde altersgemäßen Sprachgebrauch aber trotzdem ist das Buch nicht zu jung geschrieben.
Gut gefallen hat mir, dass es an keiner Stelle super kitschig oder übertrieben war. Alle Schilderungen könnten aus dem echten Leben stammen. Ich denke, dass kommt nicht zuletzt durch diese wunderbar melancholische Stimmung die im kompletten Buch zu spüren ist. Manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, im Hintergrund leise die Musik von Nirvana hören zu können. Übrigens passt diese Musik hervorragend zu der Geschichte.
Auch wenn es mal Drama in dieser Geschichte gab, wurde diese nicht übermäßig hochgepusht oder zugespitzt. Es waren Handlungen, Gespräche und Gedanken wie sie bei jedem anderen auch passieren könnten. Das hat es für mich so lebensnah gemacht.
Dazu formt die Autorin sehr sensibel ihre Figuren und gibt jeder von ihnen einen eigenen Charakter. Denn auch die Personen haben zum Gelingen des Buchs beigetragen.
Maggie hat es grade nicht so leicht. Ihre Mutter hat nach zig wechselnden Freunden nun endlich einen Mann geheiratet. Aber der wohnt in Irland und sie nun auch. So ganz einleben kann sie sich nicht. Sie findet nur langsam Anschluss und zu ihrer Mutter wird der Abstand immer größer. Nur die Carepakete ihres coolen, 26 Jahre alten Rocker Onkels halten sie über Wasser. Doch sie lernt Eoin kennen und schon scheint alles weniger schlimm. Bis etwas Schreckliches passiert und sie sich fragen muss, was wirklich wichtig ist.
Ich bin wirklich begeistert von diesem Buch. Es ist genauso, wie ich es erwartet habe. Diese Geschichte erzählt feinfühlig wie Maggie mit 16 ihre ersten richtigen Erfahrungen im Leben macht und zeigt gut ihre Ängste, Wünsche und Gefühle. Obwohl es vor allem um die Teenies geht, ist dieses Buch nicht teeniehaft geschrieben. Klar verwenden Maggie und ihre Freunde altersgemäßen Sprachgebrauch aber trotzdem ist das Buch nicht zu jung geschrieben.
Gut gefallen hat mir, dass es an keiner Stelle super kitschig oder übertrieben war. Alle Schilderungen könnten aus dem echten Leben stammen. Ich denke, dass kommt nicht zuletzt durch diese wunderbar melancholische Stimmung die im kompletten Buch zu spüren ist. Manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, im Hintergrund leise die Musik von Nirvana hören zu können. Übrigens passt diese Musik hervorragend zu der Geschichte.
Auch wenn es mal Drama in dieser Geschichte gab, wurde diese nicht übermäßig hochgepusht oder zugespitzt. Es waren Handlungen, Gespräche und Gedanken wie sie bei jedem anderen auch passieren könnten. Das hat es für mich so lebensnah gemacht.
Dazu formt die Autorin sehr sensibel ihre Figuren und gibt jeder von ihnen einen eigenen Charakter. Denn auch die Personen haben zum Gelingen des Buchs beigetragen.
September 29, 2015
When I saw this book was set in the 90s I rented it from my library and said get ready eyes, we're reading reading all night! Something about books set in the 80s or 90s makes my little Millennial heart totally pitter patter to the beat of my tight Tamagotchi, Giga Pet and Nano dawg!
This was no different. I picked it up with out really reading what is was about but from the set up of
I had to go back and read the synopsis because I had no clue what was going on. I should have read the synopsis from the start. It turned out to be a fun adventure Maggie went on with Eoin.
This was no different. I picked it up with out really reading what is was about but from the set up of
I had to go back and read the synopsis because I had no clue what was going on. I should have read the synopsis from the start. It turned out to be a fun adventure Maggie went on with Eoin.
May 16, 2015
Blazed through this in one sitting. It has everything: all the music I miss from the grunge era, the romance of Europe, the romance and intrigue of hot Irish boys, the days where a cellphone was not the Parental Leash of Doom (trust me on this, youths, you could get up to a lot more mischief without one)...
Part of the reason I loved this so much is because it describes "my" music, and it's hard to disentangle those feelings from the book. I don't know if anyone who didn't grow up with Nirvana, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, the Smashing Pumpkins, etc would find it as nostalgic and poignant as I did, but so many parts of it were like a punch to the gut. Both Maggie and I had a lot of "firsts" to that soundtrack.
Highly recommend. It's great YA, but Generation X/early millennials will especially relate.
FYA review here: http://foreveryoungadult.com/2014/09/...
Part of the reason I loved this so much is because it describes "my" music, and it's hard to disentangle those feelings from the book. I don't know if anyone who didn't grow up with Nirvana, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, the Smashing Pumpkins, etc would find it as nostalgic and poignant as I did, but so many parts of it were like a punch to the gut. Both Maggie and I had a lot of "firsts" to that soundtrack.
Highly recommend. It's great YA, but Generation X/early millennials will especially relate.
FYA review here: http://foreveryoungadult.com/2014/09/...
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