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Het jaar dat de wereld op zijn kop stond
De moeder van de 15-jarige Pearl overlijdt bij de geboorte van Pearls halfzusje Rose. Pearl worstelt een jaar lang met zichzelf en haar omgeving.
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2014
40 people are currently reading
2987 people want to read
About the author
Clare Furniss
5 books88 followersFurniss grew up in London, and moved to Birmingham in her teens. After brief stints as a waitress, a shop assistant, and working at the Shakespeare Centre Library in Stratford-upon-Avon, she studied at Cambridge and Aberdeen. She went on to work in media relations for the homelessness charity Shelter and spent several years as a press officer for the then Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. She now lives in Bath.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
January 5, 2015
Featured on my 2014 favourites list!
Actual rating 4.5
This book… I don’t even know where to begin with this book.
I couldn’t put it down.
That’s a lie, I forced myself to put it down so I could get some work done, but inevitably picked it back up within the hour to read “just one more chapter.” (The book technically only has twelve chapters, one for each month of the year, but there were scene breaks within the twelve chapters.)
This book will break your heart, this book will remind you of your younger self, it’ll break your heart some more, and then it will put you back together.
Pearl’s mum died, leaving her alone in the world with just her dad, who isn’t biologically related to her, and her new baby sister. She goes through the typical emotions of any only child who’s suddenly not the only one anymore. But in this situation she also worries that she doesn’t “belong” anymore. Her dad has a real daughter now, a biological daughter, and she feels like she’s being edged out by the thing that killed her mother.
The rest of this review can be found here!
Actual rating 4.5
This book… I don’t even know where to begin with this book.
I couldn’t put it down.
That’s a lie, I forced myself to put it down so I could get some work done, but inevitably picked it back up within the hour to read “just one more chapter.” (The book technically only has twelve chapters, one for each month of the year, but there were scene breaks within the twelve chapters.)
This book will break your heart, this book will remind you of your younger self, it’ll break your heart some more, and then it will put you back together.
Pearl’s mum died, leaving her alone in the world with just her dad, who isn’t biologically related to her, and her new baby sister. She goes through the typical emotions of any only child who’s suddenly not the only one anymore. But in this situation she also worries that she doesn’t “belong” anymore. Her dad has a real daughter now, a biological daughter, and she feels like she’s being edged out by the thing that killed her mother.
I examine the photo carefully. Dad wasn’t there; he and Mum had been friends since before I was born, but they didn’t get together until a few months later. My real father hadn’t been there either. He and Mum had split up before I was even born. I think of how Dad looked at The Rat when he first saw her and I wish suddenly that someone had been there to look at me like that.
The rest of this review can be found here!
January 8, 2016
2.5 stars
The Year of the Rat is the story of Pearl. Pearl’s mum has just died in childbirth, leaving Pearl, her dad and The Rat, the charming name Pearl comes up with for her tiny, premature sister. Over the course of a year, the story shows how Pearl deals (or doesn’t) with the death of her mother and the change in the status quo at home.
I feel bad that I didn’t like The Year of the Rat more than I did. The thing that prevented this book from being a DNF was the author’s writing. It flowed really well and managed to be thoughtful without being flowery and gripping without being overly dramatic. I know I’ve only given this book 2.5 stars, but I would still be interested in reading other work by Clare Furniss, based on her writing alone.
The plot was paced quite well over the course of the year after Stella’s death, but the main plot points consisted of Pearl being mean to everyone who tried to help her. There was a little bit of romance but it seemed to have been included because someone turned to the author and said, ‘You’re writing a YA novel? Then you have to have romance in it. It’s the LAW!’ I have no idea why he stuck around, because Pearl was just nothing but mean to him.
So. Pearl. Pearl wasn’t a very sympathetic character and that was what really affected my enjoyment of the book. She was just so … whiny.
ARGH! *Clamps hands over ears* I know! I know! She’s just lost her mum! You’re entitled to be upset. God, you’re entitled to be tearing up the walls with grief, and I feel a horrible person for even bringing this up, but to me she didn’t sound like she was grieving, she just sounded narky. She didn’t sound sad, she didn’t sound angry, or grief-stricken or disbelieving or in denial. She just sounded like a pissed-off, sulky teenager, who mistakenly thinks the world owes her something.
Pearl was completely oblivious to what her dad might be going through or to the fact that her baby sister was going to grow up without a mum and I really didn’t like her very much. The overwhelming impression I got was that when her mum was alive, Pearl had been spoilt and was used to being an only child and that now her mum was dead she was furious at the spotlight being shifted from her.
***Spoiler Alert***
Seriously, even the scene near the end of the book where Pearl decides to run away from home (with loads of luggage), she doesn’t just slip out into the night like you do if you really mean it; she flounces into the living room and announces, ‘Right. I’m going. Bye.’ And then gets nasty when initially no one believes her and then tell her some home truths.
Mind you, her mum sounded like a right piece of work as well, so maybe Pearl took after her? Her mum was, in gaming terms, a vague NPC. Usually elves or mad people (or, in this case, a ghost) no one really knows why they’re there because they do nothing to move the story along and insist on talking in riddles and half-truths. I was never really sure whether she was a figment of Pearl’s grief or if she was actually a ghost, but she didn’t really seem to add anything, so I wasn’t bothered either way.
I’ll tell you who I did like, though, and that was Pearl’s granny. She completely calls Pearl out on all her selfish ways and seems to realise that when you’re dealing with a spoilt, immature child, the best thing is to pay them very little notice. In places it was really only Granny who rescued this book for me because she made me think that maybe the author didn’t really think that Pearl’s attitude was an acceptable
All in all this was an okay read, but it was only okay. I think if Pearl had been a bit less annoying it would have been quite a startling book, but as it was she was too irritating for me to care about her.
The Year of the Rat is the story of Pearl. Pearl’s mum has just died in childbirth, leaving Pearl, her dad and The Rat, the charming name Pearl comes up with for her tiny, premature sister. Over the course of a year, the story shows how Pearl deals (or doesn’t) with the death of her mother and the change in the status quo at home.
I feel bad that I didn’t like The Year of the Rat more than I did. The thing that prevented this book from being a DNF was the author’s writing. It flowed really well and managed to be thoughtful without being flowery and gripping without being overly dramatic. I know I’ve only given this book 2.5 stars, but I would still be interested in reading other work by Clare Furniss, based on her writing alone.
The plot was paced quite well over the course of the year after Stella’s death, but the main plot points consisted of Pearl being mean to everyone who tried to help her. There was a little bit of romance but it seemed to have been included because someone turned to the author and said, ‘You’re writing a YA novel? Then you have to have romance in it. It’s the LAW!’ I have no idea why he stuck around, because Pearl was just nothing but mean to him.
So. Pearl. Pearl wasn’t a very sympathetic character and that was what really affected my enjoyment of the book. She was just so … whiny.
ARGH! *Clamps hands over ears* I know! I know! She’s just lost her mum! You’re entitled to be upset. God, you’re entitled to be tearing up the walls with grief, and I feel a horrible person for even bringing this up, but to me she didn’t sound like she was grieving, she just sounded narky. She didn’t sound sad, she didn’t sound angry, or grief-stricken or disbelieving or in denial. She just sounded like a pissed-off, sulky teenager, who mistakenly thinks the world owes her something.
Pearl was completely oblivious to what her dad might be going through or to the fact that her baby sister was going to grow up without a mum and I really didn’t like her very much. The overwhelming impression I got was that when her mum was alive, Pearl had been spoilt and was used to being an only child and that now her mum was dead she was furious at the spotlight being shifted from her.
***Spoiler Alert***
Seriously, even the scene near the end of the book where Pearl decides to run away from home (with loads of luggage), she doesn’t just slip out into the night like you do if you really mean it; she flounces into the living room and announces, ‘Right. I’m going. Bye.’ And then gets nasty when initially no one believes her and then tell her some home truths.
Mind you, her mum sounded like a right piece of work as well, so maybe Pearl took after her? Her mum was, in gaming terms, a vague NPC. Usually elves or mad people (or, in this case, a ghost) no one really knows why they’re there because they do nothing to move the story along and insist on talking in riddles and half-truths. I was never really sure whether she was a figment of Pearl’s grief or if she was actually a ghost, but she didn’t really seem to add anything, so I wasn’t bothered either way.
I’ll tell you who I did like, though, and that was Pearl’s granny. She completely calls Pearl out on all her selfish ways and seems to realise that when you’re dealing with a spoilt, immature child, the best thing is to pay them very little notice. In places it was really only Granny who rescued this book for me because she made me think that maybe the author didn’t really think that Pearl’s attitude was an acceptable
All in all this was an okay read, but it was only okay. I think if Pearl had been a bit less annoying it would have been quite a startling book, but as it was she was too irritating for me to care about her.
July 25, 2016
Un 3,5 en realidad.
Dividido por meses, desde el fallecimiento de la madre de Pearl, vamos pasando los capítulos que conforman ese año desde el punto de vista de Pearl y somos partícipes de su dolor, de las etapas que va superando y sufriendo, en general de sus sentimientos y pensamientos, nos acerca mucho a ella y gracias a eso también somos muy conscientes de los errores que comete, de sus acciones egoístas y la desconexión con el mundo real, a la vez que va madurando para acabar siendo otra chica al finalizar el libro. Pero es un personaje que no me ha gustado mucho, es tan egoísta, hace tanto daño a su padre, a su abuela y a su amiga que me daba hasta coraje porque no había forma de que se abriera a los demás y se dejará ayudar, puedo entender que la pérdida de su madre la trastocará y algunas de las decisiones que toma seguramente serían las mismas que yo escogería en su situación pero otras me parecen de lo peor. Los demás personajes en cambio sí me han encantado porque son muy reales y muy auténticos.
Reseña completa: http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com....
Dividido por meses, desde el fallecimiento de la madre de Pearl, vamos pasando los capítulos que conforman ese año desde el punto de vista de Pearl y somos partícipes de su dolor, de las etapas que va superando y sufriendo, en general de sus sentimientos y pensamientos, nos acerca mucho a ella y gracias a eso también somos muy conscientes de los errores que comete, de sus acciones egoístas y la desconexión con el mundo real, a la vez que va madurando para acabar siendo otra chica al finalizar el libro. Pero es un personaje que no me ha gustado mucho, es tan egoísta, hace tanto daño a su padre, a su abuela y a su amiga que me daba hasta coraje porque no había forma de que se abriera a los demás y se dejará ayudar, puedo entender que la pérdida de su madre la trastocará y algunas de las decisiones que toma seguramente serían las mismas que yo escogería en su situación pero otras me parecen de lo peor. Los demás personajes en cambio sí me han encantado porque son muy reales y muy auténticos.
Reseña completa: http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com....
February 19, 2014
Review by Beth
The Year of the Rat looks at grief from the angle of a bereaved teenager stuck in the world with a new baby sister, her dad who is everything but her biological dad and a brand new baby sister, ‘the Rat’, blamed for the death of her mother.
What is so brilliant about Furniss’ novel is that the characters are real. So real it’s like I’m sitting amongst people I know. Pearl could be any sixteen year old so she doesn’t have an angelic mother who she idolises and believes was an angel, she just has her mum who has gone and she misses her. Before the death Pearl’s mum is the epitome of normality, annoying Pearl and just being the same as anyone’s mum would be. Then she’s gone and in her place is Rose, the Rat, a constant reminder of what’s happened.
It’s a fascinating look at one way of handling grief and how powerful it can be. Pearl builds herself a wall and doesn’t let it down, even to the ghost (imagination?) of her mother who occasionally appears to her. She alienates herself completely and finds herself unable to even consider her dad, who has always been there for her since she can remember, as hers anymore.
The Year of the Rat is heart breaking. It’s impossible not to wish you could do something to bring Pearl’s mum back. Furniss’ writing is so honest that Pearl feels like a real person and as she struggles it’s hard not to want to do something, anything, to help her – as her friends and family try and fail.
Pearl has to do it on her own and The Year of the Rat is the tale of how she makes it from grief stricken to a new place, the world without mum and the world with Rose.
I loved this novel. I’d recommend it to everyone. It’s real, there’s no airy fairy angels or talk of heaven and hell just honest grief explored in depth.
The Year of the Rat looks at grief from the angle of a bereaved teenager stuck in the world with a new baby sister, her dad who is everything but her biological dad and a brand new baby sister, ‘the Rat’, blamed for the death of her mother.
What is so brilliant about Furniss’ novel is that the characters are real. So real it’s like I’m sitting amongst people I know. Pearl could be any sixteen year old so she doesn’t have an angelic mother who she idolises and believes was an angel, she just has her mum who has gone and she misses her. Before the death Pearl’s mum is the epitome of normality, annoying Pearl and just being the same as anyone’s mum would be. Then she’s gone and in her place is Rose, the Rat, a constant reminder of what’s happened.
It’s a fascinating look at one way of handling grief and how powerful it can be. Pearl builds herself a wall and doesn’t let it down, even to the ghost (imagination?) of her mother who occasionally appears to her. She alienates herself completely and finds herself unable to even consider her dad, who has always been there for her since she can remember, as hers anymore.
The Year of the Rat is heart breaking. It’s impossible not to wish you could do something to bring Pearl’s mum back. Furniss’ writing is so honest that Pearl feels like a real person and as she struggles it’s hard not to want to do something, anything, to help her – as her friends and family try and fail.
Pearl has to do it on her own and The Year of the Rat is the tale of how she makes it from grief stricken to a new place, the world without mum and the world with Rose.
I loved this novel. I’d recommend it to everyone. It’s real, there’s no airy fairy angels or talk of heaven and hell just honest grief explored in depth.
February 1, 2019
hunting and real portrait of grief, loss and trying to find a way to understand.
This is -as all books handling the topic of death and greif- not for everyone since not everyone will see the similarities or understand the main characters Pearls behaviour. Some will find her spoiled and bratty, maybe even utterly selfish and uncaring for anyone beside herself and what she is going through.
For me her behaviour was very understandable, even reliable in some ways.
She was grieving. She was trying to understand what was happening and how it could have happened.
And as everyone human she tried to find ways to blame someone for what was happening.
And was with it always goes with blame... it never goes to the right people.
I loved how this book was split up in the 12 months and we get to experience Pearl's journey through the first year of her loss.
I also love that there are some elements of romance but that is in no way at all the main focus or becomes something important throughout the story.
I also loved how Pearl behaved with her baby sister.
I also really enjoyed that this book had a good focus on friendships of different kinds. between pearl and her best friend, between neighbours, between parents and old partners, and even between parents and their children.
I loved how this book made it so realistic and easy without mentioning how you are a parent if you love the kid and were the one being there seeing the kid grow up no matter if there is blood relation or not. Be it the actual parent or the grandparent.
This book had just a lot of layers for being many focused on the loss of a loved one.
For me it was just a very good portray of grief overall.
Very realistic and well paced.
And just a great book overall!
But that all being said if you don't like characters the behave irrationally, if you don't like characters that don't behave in ways that is "right" for the situation but actually human and with that reacts bad sometimes even horrendously bad this book is not for you.
If you want a good relatable and easy going family story... this is not the book for you.
I also wouldn't recommend it to anyone that recently experienced grief and is still dealing with it. Because this book can/will re-awaken all those feelings.
For me it was a great book and defiantly one i will keep on my shelves for years and if i need a book when i feel sad and just want something that fits my emotions? This will be my future re-read pick!
This is -as all books handling the topic of death and greif- not for everyone since not everyone will see the similarities or understand the main characters Pearls behaviour. Some will find her spoiled and bratty, maybe even utterly selfish and uncaring for anyone beside herself and what she is going through.
For me her behaviour was very understandable, even reliable in some ways.
She was grieving. She was trying to understand what was happening and how it could have happened.
And as everyone human she tried to find ways to blame someone for what was happening.
And was with it always goes with blame... it never goes to the right people.
I loved how this book was split up in the 12 months and we get to experience Pearl's journey through the first year of her loss.
I also love that there are some elements of romance but that is in no way at all the main focus or becomes something important throughout the story.
I also loved how Pearl behaved with her baby sister.
I also really enjoyed that this book had a good focus on friendships of different kinds. between pearl and her best friend, between neighbours, between parents and old partners, and even between parents and their children.
I loved how this book made it so realistic and easy without mentioning how you are a parent if you love the kid and were the one being there seeing the kid grow up no matter if there is blood relation or not. Be it the actual parent or the grandparent.
This book had just a lot of layers for being many focused on the loss of a loved one.
For me it was just a very good portray of grief overall.
Very realistic and well paced.
And just a great book overall!
But that all being said if you don't like characters the behave irrationally, if you don't like characters that don't behave in ways that is "right" for the situation but actually human and with that reacts bad sometimes even horrendously bad this book is not for you.
If you want a good relatable and easy going family story... this is not the book for you.
I also wouldn't recommend it to anyone that recently experienced grief and is still dealing with it. Because this book can/will re-awaken all those feelings.
For me it was a great book and defiantly one i will keep on my shelves for years and if i need a book when i feel sad and just want something that fits my emotions? This will be my future re-read pick!
June 30, 2014
Clare Furniss gets it. Pearl’s grief is real and Clare Furness’s writing has an understanding that doesn’t happen as often as it should with books dealing with death. Truthfully, The Year of the Rat made such an impact on me because I felt like the author knew what she was writing about.
The story begins with the funeral of Pear’s mother. We learn that Pearl’s “Dad” isn’t her real father but she has always seen him as such and that her mum died while pregnant. Pearl’s baby sister, The Rat, survived and Pearl hates her for it. Her dad goes to the hospital every day to see The Rat and Pearl feels abandoned and rejected.
Given that Pearl’s mother is dead she has an awful lot to say to her teenage daughter, their talks are such a wonderful part of this story. Apart from the writing (which of course is excellent) Clare Furniss provides characters that will stay with you. I loved Pearl but it was Dulcie that really got to me.
This is the moment I knew Clare Furniss understood:
Dulcie:
“They get quieter over the years. They still whisper to you sometimes, but the world gets louder. You can see is and hear it again. There’s a gap in it, where they used to be. but you get used to the gap so used to it that you hardly see it… And then some days, out of nowhere, you’re making the tea or hanging the washing or sitting on the bus and it’s there again: that aching, empty space that will never be filled.“
The Year of the Rat is marvellous, magnificent, superb, lovely, delightful, incredible, etc – in other words: Go read it NOW.
The story begins with the funeral of Pear’s mother. We learn that Pearl’s “Dad” isn’t her real father but she has always seen him as such and that her mum died while pregnant. Pearl’s baby sister, The Rat, survived and Pearl hates her for it. Her dad goes to the hospital every day to see The Rat and Pearl feels abandoned and rejected.
Given that Pearl’s mother is dead she has an awful lot to say to her teenage daughter, their talks are such a wonderful part of this story. Apart from the writing (which of course is excellent) Clare Furniss provides characters that will stay with you. I loved Pearl but it was Dulcie that really got to me.
This is the moment I knew Clare Furniss understood:
Dulcie:
“They get quieter over the years. They still whisper to you sometimes, but the world gets louder. You can see is and hear it again. There’s a gap in it, where they used to be. but you get used to the gap so used to it that you hardly see it… And then some days, out of nowhere, you’re making the tea or hanging the washing or sitting on the bus and it’s there again: that aching, empty space that will never be filled.“
The Year of the Rat is marvellous, magnificent, superb, lovely, delightful, incredible, etc – in other words: Go read it NOW.
February 18, 2015
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
I really enjoyed 'The Year of the Rat', it was a cute contemporary that dealt well with some difficult issues such as death, depression and bereavement.
The characters were all portrayed well, and I could really sympathise with Pearl and her difficult situation, you felt yourself on her side throughout when everything just seemed so unfair. I'm not embarrassed to admit Pearl's situation would be my worst nightmare and so I found it a difficult read, but in some ways that made me appreciate and connect with the story even more.
I liked that Pearl had to deal with feeling like the odd one out in her family with her step dad now having a biological daughter and his mum coming to help out. This gave a unique modern family aspect I haven't seen in books similar to this before, and helped you understand Pearl's bereavement when no one else seemed to.
One of the elements of this book I really enjoyed was it's chapters structured as months; something I haven't come across before and which helped you understand the time frame and bereavement process more effectively. I also enjoyed a contemporary where one of the main story points wasn't romance, something I tend to read a lot of!
All in all a cute, quick evening read, but perhaps slightly too simplistic
I really enjoyed 'The Year of the Rat', it was a cute contemporary that dealt well with some difficult issues such as death, depression and bereavement.
The characters were all portrayed well, and I could really sympathise with Pearl and her difficult situation, you felt yourself on her side throughout when everything just seemed so unfair. I'm not embarrassed to admit Pearl's situation would be my worst nightmare and so I found it a difficult read, but in some ways that made me appreciate and connect with the story even more.
I liked that Pearl had to deal with feeling like the odd one out in her family with her step dad now having a biological daughter and his mum coming to help out. This gave a unique modern family aspect I haven't seen in books similar to this before, and helped you understand Pearl's bereavement when no one else seemed to.
One of the elements of this book I really enjoyed was it's chapters structured as months; something I haven't come across before and which helped you understand the time frame and bereavement process more effectively. I also enjoyed a contemporary where one of the main story points wasn't romance, something I tend to read a lot of!
All in all a cute, quick evening read, but perhaps slightly too simplistic
January 29, 2024
2.5 stars
September 9, 2019
Para mi sorpresa, este libro que me llevé casualmente de la sección juvenil, corriendo porque me estaban cerrando la biblioteca, me gustó ene, ENE. Me pareció perfecto, y como pasa con los libros perfectos, no tengo nada que comentar al respecto.
Bueno, excepto una cosa, y es que sí, la protagonista a veces es bien insoportable, pero... es una adolescente y además pucha que ha sufrido.. Creo que la manera en que se describe su camino, y también el duelo... tiene la compasión suficiente como para ayudar activamente a quienes han pasado experiencias parecidas y a los que están alrededor de ellos. Porque la autora no tuvo problema en retratar las partes más mezquinas y... abrazarlas. Y de alguna manera, logró que uno sintiera amor y ternura en cada momento por la protagonista, pese a que a veces daban ganas de cachetearla (es una forma de decir, no a la violencia). Hizo que uno pensara y reaccionara y sintiera de todas las formas correctas.
O al menos así fue conmigo.
Con tal que me pareció lindo. Sensible, amable y justiciero. Pese a las partes duras... es un libro muy dulce y además con muchos matices. Aunque encontré que tenía ciertos guiños bastante descarados a otros de tema parecidos, como "El monstruo viene a verme", pero buéh, también es difícil hacer algo completamente original hoy en día.
Muy recomendado. Me gustó mucho. Mucho mucho. Pese a que es un libro sencillo, sin mayores pretensiones o aspavientos. O quizá justamente por eso.
Bueno, excepto una cosa, y es que sí, la protagonista a veces es bien insoportable, pero... es una adolescente y además pucha que ha sufrido.. Creo que la manera en que se describe su camino, y también el duelo... tiene la compasión suficiente como para ayudar activamente a quienes han pasado experiencias parecidas y a los que están alrededor de ellos. Porque la autora no tuvo problema en retratar las partes más mezquinas y... abrazarlas. Y de alguna manera, logró que uno sintiera amor y ternura en cada momento por la protagonista, pese a que a veces daban ganas de cachetearla (es una forma de decir, no a la violencia). Hizo que uno pensara y reaccionara y sintiera de todas las formas correctas.
O al menos así fue conmigo.
Con tal que me pareció lindo. Sensible, amable y justiciero. Pese a las partes duras... es un libro muy dulce y además con muchos matices. Aunque encontré que tenía ciertos guiños bastante descarados a otros de tema parecidos, como "El monstruo viene a verme", pero buéh, también es difícil hacer algo completamente original hoy en día.
Muy recomendado. Me gustó mucho. Mucho mucho. Pese a que es un libro sencillo, sin mayores pretensiones o aspavientos. O quizá justamente por eso.
January 15, 2018
Definitivamente no es el mejor libro que haya leído en mi vida, pero no estuvo taan mal. Al menos me dejo un lindo sentimiento al terminarlo :)
October 26, 2019
Bardzo dobrze zobrazowane, ze każdy na swój własny sposób przeżywa żałobę. Powrót do normalnego życia po stracie bliskiej osoby. Kalejdoskop uczuć i zmian na przestrzeni czasu.
„Czas leczy rany” to powiedzenie jest tutaj bardzo obecne i trafne. Pogodzenie ze śmiercią nie zawsze jest łatwe i szybkie.
„Czas leczy rany” to powiedzenie jest tutaj bardzo obecne i trafne. Pogodzenie ze śmiercią nie zawsze jest łatwe i szybkie.
January 24, 2015
** I received this book for free from Bookworld in exchange for an honest review. **
This is a wonderfully written debut novel that managed to portray a teenage Pearl's struggle with the death of her mother very realistically. The pace of this story is a little slow at times, and it didn't necessarily have a stand-out storyline. However, the writing, characterisation and shifting relationship dynamics between a variety of characters really drew me in.
Pearl's response to the loss of her mother was heartbreakingly real. Although some of her decisions aren't smart and she shut out a lot of important people in her life, I understood why she felt that she needed to do or say certain things. I really felt that her choices were a believable reaction when considering her mindset and emotional state, whether or not they were reasonable.
In terms of the romance, I liked that it was quite a minor and subtle element, it never threatened to overtake the main plot. I was a little confused as to where the attraction initially started, seeing as the first few occasions where Pearl and Finn met and communicated were full of awkwardness, a bit of attitude aaaaaand some vomit-stench.
Overall, a very touching read that explores the struggles of dealing with devastating loss and grief. And I'll admit, it made me tear up a little.
This is a wonderfully written debut novel that managed to portray a teenage Pearl's struggle with the death of her mother very realistically. The pace of this story is a little slow at times, and it didn't necessarily have a stand-out storyline. However, the writing, characterisation and shifting relationship dynamics between a variety of characters really drew me in.
Pearl's response to the loss of her mother was heartbreakingly real. Although some of her decisions aren't smart and she shut out a lot of important people in her life, I understood why she felt that she needed to do or say certain things. I really felt that her choices were a believable reaction when considering her mindset and emotional state, whether or not they were reasonable.
In terms of the romance, I liked that it was quite a minor and subtle element, it never threatened to overtake the main plot. I was a little confused as to where the attraction initially started, seeing as the first few occasions where Pearl and Finn met and communicated were full of awkwardness, a bit of attitude aaaaaand some vomit-stench.
Overall, a very touching read that explores the struggles of dealing with devastating loss and grief. And I'll admit, it made me tear up a little.
June 8, 2015
This book is about Pearl. A year of her life after tragically losing her mother and gaining a little sister 'The Rat'.
I loved this book and cried when I finished it.
This book deals with grief and so I had reservations as I find this can often be poorly written. However it was written beautifully, perfect for the age group (and older - I'm 23!).
As someone who has some experience with grief I felt it really captured the essence of not only losing someone you love at that age but also the revelation of how "the world may tip at any moment". I know I had that moment of realising how fragile and uncertain life is during my teenage years and I think that is another reason this book will resonate so strongly with so many readers.
I really enjoyed the writing. I had a few "THAT SPEAKS TO ME I NEED TO QUOTE IT" moments and got out my post-its. I really liked the characters, they felt very real, they developed well over the year the book is written and were perfectly imperfect. Especially Pearl who I felt very close to and sad to say goodbye to by the end.
In a nutshell: Brilliant. I laughed and cried and then cried some more at the end. Read it - you won't be disappointed.
I loved this book and cried when I finished it.
This book deals with grief and so I had reservations as I find this can often be poorly written. However it was written beautifully, perfect for the age group (and older - I'm 23!).
As someone who has some experience with grief I felt it really captured the essence of not only losing someone you love at that age but also the revelation of how "the world may tip at any moment". I know I had that moment of realising how fragile and uncertain life is during my teenage years and I think that is another reason this book will resonate so strongly with so many readers.
I really enjoyed the writing. I had a few "THAT SPEAKS TO ME I NEED TO QUOTE IT" moments and got out my post-its. I really liked the characters, they felt very real, they developed well over the year the book is written and were perfectly imperfect. Especially Pearl who I felt very close to and sad to say goodbye to by the end.
In a nutshell: Brilliant. I laughed and cried and then cried some more at the end. Read it - you won't be disappointed.
May 26, 2020
Was soll ich sagen... was für ein wundervolles Buch! Durch Zufall bin ich in das Buch reingestolpert, und konnte nicht mehr aufhören zu lesen. In nur zwei Tagen durchgelesen, das will schon echt etwas heißen.
Die Welt von Pearl bleibt stehen, als ihre Mutter stirbt. Was bleibt, ist eine Frühchen-Schwester, die sie "Ratte" nennt, und ein Vater, der nicht ihr leiblicher ist. Wie sie sich immer mehr in ihren Kummer verrennt, ihre beste Freundin vergrault, die Schwester nicht lieben will und dem Vater seine Liebe zu ihr nicht mehr zutraut... Das alles hat mich sehr berührt und am Ende mit Tränen in den Augen zurückgelassen.
Ein Buch über die Trauer, die Liebe und das Erwachsenwerden - und ein neues Lieblingsbuch!
Die Welt von Pearl bleibt stehen, als ihre Mutter stirbt. Was bleibt, ist eine Frühchen-Schwester, die sie "Ratte" nennt, und ein Vater, der nicht ihr leiblicher ist. Wie sie sich immer mehr in ihren Kummer verrennt, ihre beste Freundin vergrault, die Schwester nicht lieben will und dem Vater seine Liebe zu ihr nicht mehr zutraut... Das alles hat mich sehr berührt und am Ende mit Tränen in den Augen zurückgelassen.
Ein Buch über die Trauer, die Liebe und das Erwachsenwerden - und ein neues Lieblingsbuch!
January 24, 2015
I received this book from my dad for my birthday earlier this month, and it was something quite a bit different for me. I don't normally buy books like this, so as a contemporary family drama this was something new. I was happy to receive it though - I'm trying to vary my reading more this year, and I was surprised that I warmed to it as much as I did.
This book deals with the emotional area that is the unexpected death of a parent, and the inner turmoil it can leave you in. Sixteen year old Pearl's mother dies, after giving birth to her incredibly premature baby. Pearl resents this baby, and particularly her stepfather who dotes on her, naming her The Rat. The book takes place over a year (obviously) and shows the journey Pearl makes in that year to come to terms with the loss of her mother and her purpose in a world without her.
This was quite a sad read, although I didn't really feel all that emotional reading it. I did find numerous points however that made me sit up straighter and react with shock. At times I was frustrated with Pearl and her behaviour towards others, but I felt overall that made her a much more realistic and believable character - an honest, true portrait of a teenager in strife.
Although the pace was not particularly fast, I really enjoyed the structure of the novel - each chapter was a month in the 'year of the rat', and it made me read the book a lot quicker. I was always eager to see what happened next, and see how certain events would turn out. Overall I think this was a well-written, entertaining debut novel from Clare Furniss, and I would definitely recommend it if you think it's something you would like.
This book deals with the emotional area that is the unexpected death of a parent, and the inner turmoil it can leave you in. Sixteen year old Pearl's mother dies, after giving birth to her incredibly premature baby. Pearl resents this baby, and particularly her stepfather who dotes on her, naming her The Rat. The book takes place over a year (obviously) and shows the journey Pearl makes in that year to come to terms with the loss of her mother and her purpose in a world without her.
This was quite a sad read, although I didn't really feel all that emotional reading it. I did find numerous points however that made me sit up straighter and react with shock. At times I was frustrated with Pearl and her behaviour towards others, but I felt overall that made her a much more realistic and believable character - an honest, true portrait of a teenager in strife.
Although the pace was not particularly fast, I really enjoyed the structure of the novel - each chapter was a month in the 'year of the rat', and it made me read the book a lot quicker. I was always eager to see what happened next, and see how certain events would turn out. Overall I think this was a well-written, entertaining debut novel from Clare Furniss, and I would definitely recommend it if you think it's something you would like.
November 21, 2014
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/05/y...
Year of The Rat was an emotional read, and reminded me of Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott. Same concept, in which the main character loses her mother and cannot cope with the introduction of the new baby left behind. I felt for Pearl, she carries so much anger and guilt and doesn't know how to let it out and begin to allow herself to heal. The storyline is told over a period of a year and begins at her mother's funeral. Pearl is a likable character, but copes with her loss with only her own feelings being considered. She's only fifteen, and I can't even begin to imagine how it feels to lose your mother at such a young age. She retreats within herself, refuses the call Rose by her name and believes that now her step father has his own biological child, she's no longer needed. But hope springs in the form of Finn.
Finn isn't her savior, he's barely a romantic interest, but for the first time since her mother passed, Pearl finds a reason to smile again. It's beautifully written, and first time author Clare Furniss takes the reader on an emotional journey following Pearl and how she needs to rediscover herself and her place in the world. I loved seeing Rose grow, the babbling baby noises and smiles as she grows is simply magic and holds a realism that we rarely see in contemporaries. The last page reduced me to tears, it was an emotional and heartwarming ending that endeared me to Pearl even further. I simply loved it.
Year of The Rat was an emotional read, and reminded me of Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott. Same concept, in which the main character loses her mother and cannot cope with the introduction of the new baby left behind. I felt for Pearl, she carries so much anger and guilt and doesn't know how to let it out and begin to allow herself to heal. The storyline is told over a period of a year and begins at her mother's funeral. Pearl is a likable character, but copes with her loss with only her own feelings being considered. She's only fifteen, and I can't even begin to imagine how it feels to lose your mother at such a young age. She retreats within herself, refuses the call Rose by her name and believes that now her step father has his own biological child, she's no longer needed. But hope springs in the form of Finn.
Finn isn't her savior, he's barely a romantic interest, but for the first time since her mother passed, Pearl finds a reason to smile again. It's beautifully written, and first time author Clare Furniss takes the reader on an emotional journey following Pearl and how she needs to rediscover herself and her place in the world. I loved seeing Rose grow, the babbling baby noises and smiles as she grows is simply magic and holds a realism that we rarely see in contemporaries. The last page reduced me to tears, it was an emotional and heartwarming ending that endeared me to Pearl even further. I simply loved it.
July 16, 2016
This book is beautiful. It's poignant in the beginning yet warm-hearted in the end. Firstly, I really want to slapped Pearl for being so selfish and annoying. A sixteen year old teenager who lost her mom after maternity of her newborn sister, Rose (the one she called The Rat). Pearl was angry to the world, to her Dad, to her sister and off course -- her mother. The whole story is about Pearl and how she coped with her loss. The interesting part, there also her mother ghost (?) with a good sense of humor. The story went predictable, actually. But in the end, it was hard to say that I don't like this book. This is about family, loss and love, and I'm weak with any kind of family subject.
One thing unusual for me, this book have something that I can't find in other books, especially in Young Adults genre. I think every man has his own way to love his daughter. For those who love family drama with slightly part of romance, this great book could be a good choice.
January 6, 2016
4.5 stars. My book of the month for April. This was a lot better than I was expecting it to be; contemporaries in the same vein as this very rarely do it for me, but this one was very well-written and felt very genuine and emotive. The characters were enjoyable to read about, even if they were not likeable, and I was truly caught up in the story for the two and a half hours it took for me to read it. Not the best book I have ever read by a long shot, but worth a recommendation.
Taken from https://emdoesbookreviews.wordpress.c...
Taken from https://emdoesbookreviews.wordpress.c...
July 27, 2016
14/20
Un joli roman sur la perte d’une maman, sur la vie sans elle, sur ce bébé responsable de sa mort et sur le refus d’être sa soeur. Clare Furniss raconte une année de deuil impossible, une année pendant laquelle la vie va finalement faire irruption plus que jamais.
Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...
Un joli roman sur la perte d’une maman, sur la vie sans elle, sur ce bébé responsable de sa mort et sur le refus d’être sa soeur. Clare Furniss raconte une année de deuil impossible, une année pendant laquelle la vie va finalement faire irruption plus que jamais.
Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...
September 2, 2016
Ugh I really hated this. Like, it started so so so well! It was a achingly sad and moving.
And then it stopped. The writing stopped moving so fast and Pearl's attitude towards her Dad and her sister was terrible. I wanted so badly to read this but it was atrocious! I'm sorry eek.
And then it stopped. The writing stopped moving so fast and Pearl's attitude towards her Dad and her sister was terrible. I wanted so badly to read this but it was atrocious! I'm sorry eek.
October 10, 2021
Pearl’s mother has just died giving birth. Pearl is full of grief and anger and all that’s left is The Rat, the baby her mother left behind. Over the course of the next year, Pearl learns to cope with her grief and maybe even love The Rat.
I don’t generally like books like this, the ones with loss and tears but I was pleasantly surprised. The book showcases depression and grief in such a way that it touches your heart.
Pearl has this level of depth that makes her very human. She is full of this anger that drags her away from the people she loves. Not only that but she mourns her mother greatly in a way that makes it easy to feel her pain. I also really liked the addition of Finn, he adds to the story but he doesn’t take over it. Dulcie was also so very sweet but the short story about her at the end didn’t do anything for the book.
I wouldn’t have liked the addition of Pearl’s mother’s ghost but it tied into the story nicely. I think Clare Furniss did a really good job creating this atmosphere that draws you into Pearl’s world. The only thing was that I found it hard to like some of the backing characters and some of the things Pearl did were very questionable. Either way, I did enjoy this book a lot more than I expected.
Also, I finished it in a day! 💕
I don’t generally like books like this, the ones with loss and tears but I was pleasantly surprised. The book showcases depression and grief in such a way that it touches your heart.
Pearl has this level of depth that makes her very human. She is full of this anger that drags her away from the people she loves. Not only that but she mourns her mother greatly in a way that makes it easy to feel her pain. I also really liked the addition of Finn, he adds to the story but he doesn’t take over it. Dulcie was also so very sweet but the short story about her at the end didn’t do anything for the book.
I wouldn’t have liked the addition of Pearl’s mother’s ghost but it tied into the story nicely. I think Clare Furniss did a really good job creating this atmosphere that draws you into Pearl’s world. The only thing was that I found it hard to like some of the backing characters and some of the things Pearl did were very questionable. Either way, I did enjoy this book a lot more than I expected.
Also, I finished it in a day! 💕
July 13, 2025
The book presented one of my greatest fears, losing a loved one. I lost a loved one a few years ago and it did feel like my world had tipped over. So, I thought that I’d be able to relate and sympathize with the book’s main character, pearl.
I was incredibly frustrated with her character when I first started going through the chapters. She was being unhelpful and stubborn towards every single person in her life. Then I remembered that she was just a kid. A kid with so much anger towards life. It all made sense after that. I thought back to my own frustration years back and realized that I didn’t act so different from Pearl after all. By the end of it, I enjoyed the characters in the story and how the book didn’t present grief as one straight path.
I was incredibly frustrated with her character when I first started going through the chapters. She was being unhelpful and stubborn towards every single person in her life. Then I remembered that she was just a kid. A kid with so much anger towards life. It all made sense after that. I thought back to my own frustration years back and realized that I didn’t act so different from Pearl after all. By the end of it, I enjoyed the characters in the story and how the book didn’t present grief as one straight path.
January 15, 2022
4,5. Ciekawa książka dla nastolatków pokazująca zetknięcie z szarą rzeczywistością, problemami, z którymi nie łatwo się zmierzyć.
August 21, 2017
Un libro muy lindo y especial que te enseña que la vida puede dar un giro inesperado en cualquier momento y que por ahora simplemente hay que disfrutar cada momento de la vida
February 26, 2014
I was really looking forward to reading The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss. I heard that it's a very emotional and beautiful story and I didn't want to let all of my expectations ruin my experience of reading this book... and The Year of the Rat was everything that I was hoping it to be. It is beautiful and emotional and I love that it's a debut book as well. It just means we have so much more amazing to come from Clare Furniss.
The Year of the Rat is such a simple and very fitting title for this book. It does span an entire year and the rat of the title refers to our main character, Pearl's little sister, Rose, who when she is born at the beginning of the story resembles (in Pearl's eyes) a shriveled little rat. And 'rat' as a nickname is pretty indicative of how Pearl really feels about her new little sister. And that is because Pearl's mother has died in childbirth and Pearl is so sad and angry about the loss of her mother that she needs someone to blame. If not the Rat herself then possibly her dad who she feels might have forced her mother into having another baby.
The thing that I loved the most about this book is how complicated Pearl's feelings are. She's dealing with so much during the course of the novel and it was hard not to really sympathise with her and want to give her a hug. She's 15 and suddenly, unexpectedly motherless. While she's never had any doubts about her relationship with her dad, it suddenly becomes painfully obvious that actually he is only her step-father and not biologically related to her and she starts questioning if he will love the new baby more than he loves her or he wants her around at all. My heart broke for this entire family.
I love Pearl's anger and her attitude. You can tell that the death of her mother has changed Pearl in this major way and Pearl starts deciding that things that have mattered to her before like her school and her friendship with her best friend just aren't as important when she's so wrapped up in grief. One of my favourite scenes in the whole book is when Pearl is in the garden shouting obscenities at her dead mother. It felt really honest and raw and important.
Another one of my favourite things about this book is how Pearl relates to Rose in the beginning. There's this great bit in the book in which Pearl is left to babysit. And during this time Pearl is going through all these thoughts about how she's supposed to feel about a newborn - like she should love and protect her and have all these overwhelmingly positive feelings about her - and Pearl doesn't. She feels kind of a disconnect to her and finds it hugely overwhelming looking after a baby. And what I loved about this is how Clare Furniss has shown a little glimpse of another side to the story that a lot of women go through.
This year in Pearl's life is full of its ups and downs and I'm so glad to have read this book and experienced it with her. There are some really wonderful and honest portrayals of families of different kinds, grief and bereavement, and coming to terms with loss but also about friendship and the first hint of falling in love. I really loved this book and I highly recommend that you pick it up!
The Year of the Rat is such a simple and very fitting title for this book. It does span an entire year and the rat of the title refers to our main character, Pearl's little sister, Rose, who when she is born at the beginning of the story resembles (in Pearl's eyes) a shriveled little rat. And 'rat' as a nickname is pretty indicative of how Pearl really feels about her new little sister. And that is because Pearl's mother has died in childbirth and Pearl is so sad and angry about the loss of her mother that she needs someone to blame. If not the Rat herself then possibly her dad who she feels might have forced her mother into having another baby.
The thing that I loved the most about this book is how complicated Pearl's feelings are. She's dealing with so much during the course of the novel and it was hard not to really sympathise with her and want to give her a hug. She's 15 and suddenly, unexpectedly motherless. While she's never had any doubts about her relationship with her dad, it suddenly becomes painfully obvious that actually he is only her step-father and not biologically related to her and she starts questioning if he will love the new baby more than he loves her or he wants her around at all. My heart broke for this entire family.
I love Pearl's anger and her attitude. You can tell that the death of her mother has changed Pearl in this major way and Pearl starts deciding that things that have mattered to her before like her school and her friendship with her best friend just aren't as important when she's so wrapped up in grief. One of my favourite scenes in the whole book is when Pearl is in the garden shouting obscenities at her dead mother. It felt really honest and raw and important.
Another one of my favourite things about this book is how Pearl relates to Rose in the beginning. There's this great bit in the book in which Pearl is left to babysit. And during this time Pearl is going through all these thoughts about how she's supposed to feel about a newborn - like she should love and protect her and have all these overwhelmingly positive feelings about her - and Pearl doesn't. She feels kind of a disconnect to her and finds it hugely overwhelming looking after a baby. And what I loved about this is how Clare Furniss has shown a little glimpse of another side to the story that a lot of women go through.
This year in Pearl's life is full of its ups and downs and I'm so glad to have read this book and experienced it with her. There are some really wonderful and honest portrayals of families of different kinds, grief and bereavement, and coming to terms with loss but also about friendship and the first hint of falling in love. I really loved this book and I highly recommend that you pick it up!
April 23, 2014
The Year of the Rat and I did not at any point gel or get along, we didn't become best friends and I doubt I will even remember this book in a few weeks time. I appreciated the cover, it does look beautiful with the colours used and the relativity of a baby, and even that little touch on each chapter, each month was really sweet, but it couldn't at all make up for how disconnected I felt from the story and how much I really wanted to slap Pearl, numerous times.
My biggest problem with this book was Pearl. To start with, it didn't feel as though Pearl was as old as she was, she constantly sounded much younger, around twelve or thirteen and whether this was because the author wanted her to appear young and naive or whether it was just a mistake, I don't know, but that seriously frustrated me throughout. Add that to the fact I couldn't connect with her at all, the story was pretty much a whitewash for me. I could fully understand what she was going through, the affects her mother dying had on her and how she resented the baby that took her Mothers place, but being spiteful, difficult and forgetting just how much that loss affected other people was just unacceptable. If it wasn't for the fact that this story was a very easy and a very quick read, I probably would have DNF'd it completely because of Pearl; because of her voice, for the first time in months, I felt like I was just reading a book and not getting anything out of it, no emotions, no feelings, no nothing.
My second problem with this book was Pearl's mother. Now, I don't want to give anything away, but I seriously could not and still cannot understand what made the author think that the route she took in creating the relationship between Pearl and her mother was a good one. It generally felt like it didn't fit with the story whatsoever; it completely threw the entire 'grieving for your loss' out of the window. Put that snugly with her mothers personality, attitude and choices and well, I'm not surprised I didn't like either of them, especially if it's Mother like Daughter.
I really felt like I missed the entire point behind this book. The romance was pretty naff, with no believability involved whatsoever, the connection or lack there of of one with 'The Rat' was pretty poor and the entire exaction of the story was quite disappointing. I can't help but think if I hadn't read another 'grief' styled book, Me Since You so close beforehand, I may have felt a little better about The Year of the Rat, but I doubt it would been much of an improvement. In the end, there's not a lot I can say about my experience with this book, because as the saying goes, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, and it's difficult to try and pinpoint and single feature and area I enjoyed. I have a feeling this book just missed the mark with me and to someone else, it could be fantastic, so if you're interested, do check out other reviews too and get a more balanced opinion.
My biggest problem with this book was Pearl. To start with, it didn't feel as though Pearl was as old as she was, she constantly sounded much younger, around twelve or thirteen and whether this was because the author wanted her to appear young and naive or whether it was just a mistake, I don't know, but that seriously frustrated me throughout. Add that to the fact I couldn't connect with her at all, the story was pretty much a whitewash for me. I could fully understand what she was going through, the affects her mother dying had on her and how she resented the baby that took her Mothers place, but being spiteful, difficult and forgetting just how much that loss affected other people was just unacceptable. If it wasn't for the fact that this story was a very easy and a very quick read, I probably would have DNF'd it completely because of Pearl; because of her voice, for the first time in months, I felt like I was just reading a book and not getting anything out of it, no emotions, no feelings, no nothing.
My second problem with this book was Pearl's mother. Now, I don't want to give anything away, but I seriously could not and still cannot understand what made the author think that the route she took in creating the relationship between Pearl and her mother was a good one. It generally felt like it didn't fit with the story whatsoever; it completely threw the entire 'grieving for your loss' out of the window. Put that snugly with her mothers personality, attitude and choices and well, I'm not surprised I didn't like either of them, especially if it's Mother like Daughter.
I really felt like I missed the entire point behind this book. The romance was pretty naff, with no believability involved whatsoever, the connection or lack there of of one with 'The Rat' was pretty poor and the entire exaction of the story was quite disappointing. I can't help but think if I hadn't read another 'grief' styled book, Me Since You so close beforehand, I may have felt a little better about The Year of the Rat, but I doubt it would been much of an improvement. In the end, there's not a lot I can say about my experience with this book, because as the saying goes, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, and it's difficult to try and pinpoint and single feature and area I enjoyed. I have a feeling this book just missed the mark with me and to someone else, it could be fantastic, so if you're interested, do check out other reviews too and get a more balanced opinion.
November 30, 2016
El foco central es Pearl, todo gira entorno a ella, a sus sentimientos, a veces justificados por la temprana perdida de su madre pero otros completamente egoístas, logra cerrarse tanto que termina haciéndose daño a ella misma y a sus seres más queridos, su padrastro Alex, su abuela, su mejor amiga Molly y hasta a su pequeña hermana a la cual la llama "la Rata".
Pearl vuelca toda su rabia con su padrastro ya que piensa que él ahora querrá más a "la rata" y se olvidará de ella, su madre murió y ahora es solo pasado, la idea de que se borre su recuerdo la destroza y se torna caprichosa, altanera, discute por todo, nada le viene bien y no quiere ayudar en la casa y menos a cuidar a su hermanita. La entrada de su abuela paterna tampoco la satisface y la casa se torna insoportable, las discusiones están a la orden del día.
Contándolo de esta manera parece un dramon insoportable pero la verdad es que disfruté mucho esta historia, aparte tenemos los diálogos que Pearl tiene con su madre, imaginarios o no habla con ella y le presenta sus reproches aunque no abre sus sentimientos completamente. Lo cierto es que Pearl logra sacarte de tus casillas por sus pensamientos y actitudes, sabemos que es muy joven y esta pasando por un momento super doloroso pero que eso en mi opinión no justifica que se cierre completamente con el mundo y con sus seres queridos que solo tratan de ayudarla de la mejor manera posible. Prefiere encerrarse en su cuarto y ser la victima sin pensar en que los demás también están sufriendo y la necesitan. Los meses van pasando y Pearl continua igual, su evolución es muy lenta pero puedo decir que luego de variadas situaciones ella logra madurar y aceptar lo que a pasado y asumir sus propios errores.
Pensé que me iba a costar adentrarme a la historia, con un titulo así más la sinopsis , me daba la sensación de que sufriría de principio a fin, pero sin embargo la disfrute mucho. Los personajes secundarios están muy bien desarrollados y logras quererlos de inmediato, comprendes sus decisiones y actitudes, logras ponerte en el lugar de ellos. Pearl al ser joven tiene una revolución de sentimientos encontrados a los que le cuesta ponerlos en orden y acomodar sus pensamientos, más de uno errado pero que al menos va recapacitando y abriéndose a la nueva vida que tiene que asumir.
La historia no te hace llorar pero hace que te pongas en el lugar de los personajes, sufrirás por ciertas situaciones pero lo bueno es que de a poco se va saliendo, por más que nos duela la perdida, sabemos que el recuerdo permanecerá y con él la vida y el futuro que nos espera. La superación es el hilo fundamental de todo, cuesta, siempre habrá un vacío en nuestros corazones pero con amor, comprensión, apoyo y amistad y mucha fuerza de voluntad, podemos lograrlo.
Mi reseña original en : http://zonaexentrica.blogspot.com.uy/...
February 21, 2014
At first, I didn't think that I was going to enjoy this book but it really surprised me. It's not very often that I will pick up a modern day YA novel, I've always been more interested in stories that have a fantasy edge to them but I decided to give this book a go.
I can honestly say I have never read anything quite like it. It broke my heart. As a brief summary, Pearl, the main character, has just lost her mother after the birth of her new baby sister, Rose, whom she compares to a rat. The book follows Pearl as she tries to cope with the grief of her loss and her hatred of 'The Rat', who is blamed for it.
Clare Furniss does an amazing job of writing emotion realistically, especially from the point of view of a teenager, and creating scenes that can catch you off guard and have you in tears at the drop of a hat. There is plenty of dry, sarcastic humour between these dramatic scenes which is an exceptional representation of English humour. It keeps the book flowing nicely and, in scenes where there isn't really much happening, it keeps you reading while chuckling to yourself.
The only reason I didn't rate this 5/5 is because I did find elements of the narrator's voice quite enfuriating. There are parts in the book where Pearl comes across as an impertinent child, which is perfectly understandable considering that she is trying to deal with the fact that her mother has died and is left with this baby that constantly reminds her of this. The problem here is that I don't particularly want to find myself getting angry at a character that I sympathise with, much less, that I have cried with.
Overall, this is a fantastic book that looks into the idea of grief, honest and simple. As I said, I've not read anything like this before and I anticipate rereading this at a later date. Good job, Clare Furniss! A fantastic debut!
I can honestly say I have never read anything quite like it. It broke my heart. As a brief summary, Pearl, the main character, has just lost her mother after the birth of her new baby sister, Rose, whom she compares to a rat. The book follows Pearl as she tries to cope with the grief of her loss and her hatred of 'The Rat', who is blamed for it.
Clare Furniss does an amazing job of writing emotion realistically, especially from the point of view of a teenager, and creating scenes that can catch you off guard and have you in tears at the drop of a hat. There is plenty of dry, sarcastic humour between these dramatic scenes which is an exceptional representation of English humour. It keeps the book flowing nicely and, in scenes where there isn't really much happening, it keeps you reading while chuckling to yourself.
The only reason I didn't rate this 5/5 is because I did find elements of the narrator's voice quite enfuriating. There are parts in the book where Pearl comes across as an impertinent child, which is perfectly understandable considering that she is trying to deal with the fact that her mother has died and is left with this baby that constantly reminds her of this. The problem here is that I don't particularly want to find myself getting angry at a character that I sympathise with, much less, that I have cried with.
Overall, this is a fantastic book that looks into the idea of grief, honest and simple. As I said, I've not read anything like this before and I anticipate rereading this at a later date. Good job, Clare Furniss! A fantastic debut!
April 27, 2014
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The Year of the Rat is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that discusses themes of grief and dealing with the death of a parent and how one goes about leading a normal life after that.
After hearing Furniss talk at an event, and hearing part of The Year of the Rat being read, I couldn’t wait to start it. I didn’t know an awful lot about it, but I had an inkling that I would love it, and I really did.
Losing somebody close to you must be one of the worst feelings in the world. For Pearl there is the added factor of a baby sister to look after, a sister who reminds her of her mother who died in pregnancy with ‘The Rat.’
The Year of the Rat is going to be a book I recommend to a lot of people because of it’s emotional depth and ability to hook the reader into Pearl’s story. There are psychological themes within The Year of the Rat – the reader unsure whether Pearl is actually seeing her mother’s ghost or if she is fabricating her to deal with the grief she is going through. The emotional depth really makes the novel stand out because it all felt so real; it was as if Pearl was living inside me and voicing the thoughts I’ve had in the past.
I feel as if there isn’t anything quite like The Year of the Rat released at the moment so if you’re looking for originality this is definitely for you.
Pearl isn’t always a likeable character and I often found myself questioning why she did particular things, but this is what makes the book so magic and, if this even makes sense, makes Pearl even easier to like.
The Year of the Rat is such a good book, and Furniss an author you really need to watch out for. If her debut is this stunning, I can’t wait to read her future novels.
The Year of the Rat is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that discusses themes of grief and dealing with the death of a parent and how one goes about leading a normal life after that.
After hearing Furniss talk at an event, and hearing part of The Year of the Rat being read, I couldn’t wait to start it. I didn’t know an awful lot about it, but I had an inkling that I would love it, and I really did.
Losing somebody close to you must be one of the worst feelings in the world. For Pearl there is the added factor of a baby sister to look after, a sister who reminds her of her mother who died in pregnancy with ‘The Rat.’
The Year of the Rat is going to be a book I recommend to a lot of people because of it’s emotional depth and ability to hook the reader into Pearl’s story. There are psychological themes within The Year of the Rat – the reader unsure whether Pearl is actually seeing her mother’s ghost or if she is fabricating her to deal with the grief she is going through. The emotional depth really makes the novel stand out because it all felt so real; it was as if Pearl was living inside me and voicing the thoughts I’ve had in the past.
I feel as if there isn’t anything quite like The Year of the Rat released at the moment so if you’re looking for originality this is definitely for you.
Pearl isn’t always a likeable character and I often found myself questioning why she did particular things, but this is what makes the book so magic and, if this even makes sense, makes Pearl even easier to like.
The Year of the Rat is such a good book, and Furniss an author you really need to watch out for. If her debut is this stunning, I can’t wait to read her future novels.
December 18, 2016
I run into this book will I was looking for some bargains on book depository (where if you don't know I buy most of my book), it was cheap, I liked the cover and I was in need of a depressing teenage story. What I did not expect was the laughing out loud while reading it. It is in fact a depressed story but it's full of bittersweet humor!
The story tell us about fifteen years old Pearl, and her world that suddenly crumble to the ground when her mum dies after after giving birth to her baby sister, Rose. Rose, the "RAT" ugly, wrinkled, reddish and super annoying. It is her fault her mum died, it's her fault the wonderful relationship Rose had with her step dad, the Rat's biological father, was destroyed, it's her fault for been the constant reminder of her mother's death. A mum that though is dead, seems not to have disappeared completely, but keeps on popping out of nowhere smoking, cursing, guiding.
The story is told across the year following Pearl's mum, drowns us in her inability to move on, in her constant search of an exterior enemy to let the guilt fell upon. It told with a bittersweet taste, quite realistic, following her in her process of grieving. The writer did wholly picture the hasty sentiment of the protagonist, she didn't try to embellish them, but they were put out there in their raw essence. I liked this fact the most, making the grieving process slowing pointing to a resolution of the events, did surely make it more realistic.
The writing style, the plot, and the character were all well made. I rather liked it!
4/5 STARS
Blog review:
http://bookscrumbles.blogspot.it/2016...
The story tell us about fifteen years old Pearl, and her world that suddenly crumble to the ground when her mum dies after after giving birth to her baby sister, Rose. Rose, the "RAT" ugly, wrinkled, reddish and super annoying. It is her fault her mum died, it's her fault the wonderful relationship Rose had with her step dad, the Rat's biological father, was destroyed, it's her fault for been the constant reminder of her mother's death. A mum that though is dead, seems not to have disappeared completely, but keeps on popping out of nowhere smoking, cursing, guiding.
The story is told across the year following Pearl's mum, drowns us in her inability to move on, in her constant search of an exterior enemy to let the guilt fell upon. It told with a bittersweet taste, quite realistic, following her in her process of grieving. The writer did wholly picture the hasty sentiment of the protagonist, she didn't try to embellish them, but they were put out there in their raw essence. I liked this fact the most, making the grieving process slowing pointing to a resolution of the events, did surely make it more realistic.
The writing style, the plot, and the character were all well made. I rather liked it!
4/5 STARS
Blog review:
http://bookscrumbles.blogspot.it/2016...
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