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Nostromo the Dwarf
A young father gets lost in the mountains and meets a mysterious stranger and his dog. Nostromo the Dwarf is a rough man with good manners, a bad temper, and the ability to talk to animals. He tells the young father the wondrous tale of his perilous trip to the mountains in the colonial past, of a ghost and storms and deserted islands and abandoned riches and creating a new life in the New World. But where is he from and why is he here?
120 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 21, 2015
"In that way, Nostromo will never leave here. In that way, Nostromo can't ever leave here. I think he knew that, because he knew the legends of the old world so well, and understood them very deeply, and he understood that legends often begin as stories that might or might not be true. But when they become legends they are true in a way that is truer than anything else."
Bold words, Sam Carr. You have my attention. But you're also setting yourself a pretty high bar to clear, invoking myth and legend in such a way; and my review might look a little bit different if you hadn't poked that bear, as it were. Because I think this is a lovely book... but I can't say I feel like it achieves the level of Classic to which the above quoted mission statement aspires. (In the lingo of Cameron Crowe's epic dichotomy, it's really more of a memo.)
If you were lucky enough to have someone who told you many stories when you were a child, I think you might find that this book captures that sensation really nicely (and it is framed self-consciously as a parent telling bedtime stories to a child, which obviously enhances the sensation of it being a personal experience to hear or read them), but that includes what I would say is a realistic reflection of being told a variety of extemporaneous tales -- some of the stories are inevitably rather forgettable and even feel a bit trivial (Nostromo Eats Dinner or Nostromo Goes Fishing, or some such) while some of them approach "Tell It To Me Again and Again!" levels of creativity or excitement (the one where Nostromo almost dies in a shipwreck and a violin-playing ghost saves him, or when he and his crow companion rescue a kitten in a flood and make a family, for example.)
The book definitely grew on me significantly as I read it. I think the first few chapters aren't very strong, and you might find yourself giving up on Nostromo if you only browsed the first chapter or two, feeling like there's a bit of the "I'm going to tell you a story.... I'm going to tell you a story.... I'm going to tell you a story.... So, that was my story about how I was going to tell you a story! Goodnight and good luck" phenomenon trying to happen here. (Okay, I don't know if that happens often enough to be an officially recognized phenomenon, but it's certainly something a writing instructor would tell you to try to avoid because lots of unformed writers seem prone to making that mistake.) But slowly the chapters started feeling more like they were telling the story instead of just telling you that there is a story to tell. But there are still passages such as "Each trip could take months. One trip even lasted for a whole spring and summer. On each trip they had many adventure, and Nostromo saw many new things." I find that highly unsatisfying as a reader. If things were exciting and interesting, TELL ME ABOUT THEM, don't just taunt me with the equivalent of "Nyah nyah nyah nyah boo boo, it's super cool but I ain't gonna tell you."
The guy who recommended this book to me used to word 'gritty," which I found intriguing prior to picking up the book. What's the last fun-yet-gritty (or gritty-yet-fun) children's book you read? I couldn't even imagine what that would be like... Ultimately I'm not sure I'd use that exact word, but I would note the gruffness of Nostromo as a trait that I think might be surprisingly appealing to some children. Nostromo's default response to meeting someone new (crow, seagull, ghost, etc) is to be a grouch first and only manage to work out a charmingly cantankerous coexistence after airing his default grievances. I know several children who would find that funny. (My personal favorite line in the whole book is "'What are you doing on my boat? I don't want a haunted boat.' He finally managed to grumble.")
I can see using the descriptor "gritty" once in a while, though, because a lot of Nostromo's life is touched by hardships which might historically have led to rough times -- for example, at one point Nostromo is trekking through an area touched by plague, so no one will give him shelter or speak to him because, for all they know, he might be carrying the disease. There's also a rather "gritty" section of the book where Nostromo's house is washed away by a flood -- and though the book doesn't going into a ton of detail, the ultimate effect of this is that Nostromo has to suffer a bit, work hard, and survive. There's no fairy tale wish granting or magical new house or anything. Nostromo just... keeps on doing what he Has To Do -- and it's not always easy, and could be considered a flavor of grit. (Well then, Ad-rock... I suppose you are vindicated. ;) )
The only other thing I feel critical about in this novel is a bit of convention-subversion that I find obtrusive as opposed to greatly inspired. For example, the conventions of novel writing (especially children's lit) would lead you to expect Cicero to be a main character given his prominence in early chapters.... while it's understandable that Cicero can't be present for most of the book (as the book flashes back over Nostromo's life, which has been quite a lot longer than Cicero's), it does feel unbalanced. I also wish Carr were a little more consistent about featuring talking animals. My choice would be more, rather than less - but that's purely subjective. The more objective point is just that sometimes the story shifts a bit too abruptly for my taste, going from passages with talking animals and ghosts, to extremely literal sections about trading with Native Americans and Dutch merchants, or planting crops.
The book is described in the catalogue as Children's, History, Fantasy.... and I will confess that I did not really process what I thought that would mean until having read the book and come to review it and make that point. This book is indeed a children's book with a unique combination of history and fantasy. I really like and appreciate much of the concept that emerges as Carr navigates his way through this historical and fanciful world... yet I never really settled into the world so completely that I wanted to live there, which would be a significant line of demarcation between this book and some of my other children's favorites.
My ultimate feeling about this book is a rather gentle recommendation, especially as a book to read aloud to a child anywhere from about 4 on up through early elementary school. I think the best thing about Nostromo the Dwarf is that it's unique, even though I'm saying some of its more uncommon attributes are not necessarily entirely successful.
**
I got a chance to check out an advance copy of Nostromo the Dwarf from the publisher, via Net Galley, in return for an honest review. As always, feel free to ask questions or chat if you're interested.
Bold words, Sam Carr. You have my attention. But you're also setting yourself a pretty high bar to clear, invoking myth and legend in such a way; and my review might look a little bit different if you hadn't poked that bear, as it were. Because I think this is a lovely book... but I can't say I feel like it achieves the level of Classic to which the above quoted mission statement aspires. (In the lingo of Cameron Crowe's epic dichotomy, it's really more of a memo.)
If you were lucky enough to have someone who told you many stories when you were a child, I think you might find that this book captures that sensation really nicely (and it is framed self-consciously as a parent telling bedtime stories to a child, which obviously enhances the sensation of it being a personal experience to hear or read them), but that includes what I would say is a realistic reflection of being told a variety of extemporaneous tales -- some of the stories are inevitably rather forgettable and even feel a bit trivial (Nostromo Eats Dinner or Nostromo Goes Fishing, or some such) while some of them approach "Tell It To Me Again and Again!" levels of creativity or excitement (the one where Nostromo almost dies in a shipwreck and a violin-playing ghost saves him, or when he and his crow companion rescue a kitten in a flood and make a family, for example.)
The book definitely grew on me significantly as I read it. I think the first few chapters aren't very strong, and you might find yourself giving up on Nostromo if you only browsed the first chapter or two, feeling like there's a bit of the "I'm going to tell you a story.... I'm going to tell you a story.... I'm going to tell you a story.... So, that was my story about how I was going to tell you a story! Goodnight and good luck" phenomenon trying to happen here. (Okay, I don't know if that happens often enough to be an officially recognized phenomenon, but it's certainly something a writing instructor would tell you to try to avoid because lots of unformed writers seem prone to making that mistake.) But slowly the chapters started feeling more like they were telling the story instead of just telling you that there is a story to tell. But there are still passages such as "Each trip could take months. One trip even lasted for a whole spring and summer. On each trip they had many adventure, and Nostromo saw many new things." I find that highly unsatisfying as a reader. If things were exciting and interesting, TELL ME ABOUT THEM, don't just taunt me with the equivalent of "Nyah nyah nyah nyah boo boo, it's super cool but I ain't gonna tell you."
The guy who recommended this book to me used to word 'gritty," which I found intriguing prior to picking up the book. What's the last fun-yet-gritty (or gritty-yet-fun) children's book you read? I couldn't even imagine what that would be like... Ultimately I'm not sure I'd use that exact word, but I would note the gruffness of Nostromo as a trait that I think might be surprisingly appealing to some children. Nostromo's default response to meeting someone new (crow, seagull, ghost, etc) is to be a grouch first and only manage to work out a charmingly cantankerous coexistence after airing his default grievances. I know several children who would find that funny. (My personal favorite line in the whole book is "'What are you doing on my boat? I don't want a haunted boat.' He finally managed to grumble.")
I can see using the descriptor "gritty" once in a while, though, because a lot of Nostromo's life is touched by hardships which might historically have led to rough times -- for example, at one point Nostromo is trekking through an area touched by plague, so no one will give him shelter or speak to him because, for all they know, he might be carrying the disease. There's also a rather "gritty" section of the book where Nostromo's house is washed away by a flood -- and though the book doesn't going into a ton of detail, the ultimate effect of this is that Nostromo has to suffer a bit, work hard, and survive. There's no fairy tale wish granting or magical new house or anything. Nostromo just... keeps on doing what he Has To Do -- and it's not always easy, and could be considered a flavor of grit. (Well then, Ad-rock... I suppose you are vindicated. ;) )
The only other thing I feel critical about in this novel is a bit of convention-subversion that I find obtrusive as opposed to greatly inspired. For example, the conventions of novel writing (especially children's lit) would lead you to expect Cicero to be a main character given his prominence in early chapters.... while it's understandable that Cicero can't be present for most of the book (as the book flashes back over Nostromo's life, which has been quite a lot longer than Cicero's), it does feel unbalanced. I also wish Carr were a little more consistent about featuring talking animals. My choice would be more, rather than less - but that's purely subjective. The more objective point is just that sometimes the story shifts a bit too abruptly for my taste, going from passages with talking animals and ghosts, to extremely literal sections about trading with Native Americans and Dutch merchants, or planting crops.
The book is described in the catalogue as Children's, History, Fantasy.... and I will confess that I did not really process what I thought that would mean until having read the book and come to review it and make that point. This book is indeed a children's book with a unique combination of history and fantasy. I really like and appreciate much of the concept that emerges as Carr navigates his way through this historical and fanciful world... yet I never really settled into the world so completely that I wanted to live there, which would be a significant line of demarcation between this book and some of my other children's favorites.
My ultimate feeling about this book is a rather gentle recommendation, especially as a book to read aloud to a child anywhere from about 4 on up through early elementary school. I think the best thing about Nostromo the Dwarf is that it's unique, even though I'm saying some of its more uncommon attributes are not necessarily entirely successful.
**
I got a chance to check out an advance copy of Nostromo the Dwarf from the publisher, via Net Galley, in return for an honest review. As always, feel free to ask questions or chat if you're interested.
August 26, 2015
Synopsis: "A young father gets lost in the mountains and meets a mysterious stranger and his dog. Nostromo the Dwarf is a rough man with good manners, a bad temper, and the ability to talk to animals. He tells the young father the wondrous tale of his perilous trip to the mountains in the colonial past, of a ghost and storms and deserted islands and abandoned riches and creating a new life in the New World. But where is he from and why is he here?"
My Review: I requested this book on Netgalley and received a copy in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed everything about this book. I loved the format as to how the story is told (like it was being told by the father to the child), some chapters gave a perfect end point if you were reading to your own children. I also really enjoyed the characters, they were all so vivid and fully developed. The little bit of realism and little bit of fantasy together made a really fun story. This is the type of book I can't wait to start reading to Munchkin when he gets a little older and can appreciate the story.
My Review: I requested this book on Netgalley and received a copy in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed everything about this book. I loved the format as to how the story is told (like it was being told by the father to the child), some chapters gave a perfect end point if you were reading to your own children. I also really enjoyed the characters, they were all so vivid and fully developed. The little bit of realism and little bit of fantasy together made a really fun story. This is the type of book I can't wait to start reading to Munchkin when he gets a little older and can appreciate the story.
August 29, 2015
This is a great read aloud from a parent to their child when they are 6 or older. In this book, a father gets lost and stumbles upon Nostromo the dwarf playing his violin by the fire. Nostromo eventually invites him in to his home to spend the night and feeds him. An unlikely friendship is formed and over time, Nostromo shares his stories which are in turn shared with the father's child. Each chapter is another story so could be read easily over time as a bedtime book. Nostromo is a great book about kindness and deep friendship.
I would not recommend this book to early readers as there is a lot of vocabulary, but certainly the stories themselves are easy to comprehend and definitely hold your attention. The characters were all so vivid and fully developed, including the animals. The little bit of realism and little bit of fantasy together made a really fun story.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I would not recommend this book to early readers as there is a lot of vocabulary, but certainly the stories themselves are easy to comprehend and definitely hold your attention. The characters were all so vivid and fully developed, including the animals. The little bit of realism and little bit of fantasy together made a really fun story.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2015
Upon getting lost in the woods, our narrator meets a strange Dwarf named Nostromo and his dog, Cicero. Many more dinners and lunches later, the trio become great friends.
Told to his children, Nostromo is a great book about kindness and deep friendship. Stories told by the strange dwarf are filled with interesting characters and could easily be broken down to a nightly read for kids. The plot is fairly easy to understand so ever young ones would enjoy listening to these tales.
I really liked this story. It captivated me and kept me interested through its entirety. A little wordy for those starting chapter books, this should be revised for a more confident reader or a family project. Wonderful!!
Told to his children, Nostromo is a great book about kindness and deep friendship. Stories told by the strange dwarf are filled with interesting characters and could easily be broken down to a nightly read for kids. The plot is fairly easy to understand so ever young ones would enjoy listening to these tales.
I really liked this story. It captivated me and kept me interested through its entirety. A little wordy for those starting chapter books, this should be revised for a more confident reader or a family project. Wonderful!!
September 17, 2015
This is a tender bed time story for Young children told by a father to his young kid about a character, Nostromo, full of kindness and a high sense of loyalty, also making reference to the family dog, Cicero and the story behind his rescue.
As the story develops, we can see how Nostromo the Dwarf lived his adventures since the departure from his original home in search of the perfect place to settle down. A kind soul helped by animals and a ghost along his long journey across the sea.
It’s very simple and entertaining for young children, and reminds me of the old tales that we read as kids, where life was simple and the world was full of innocence.
Note: I received this title free from Netgalley for an honest review.
As the story develops, we can see how Nostromo the Dwarf lived his adventures since the departure from his original home in search of the perfect place to settle down. A kind soul helped by animals and a ghost along his long journey across the sea.
It’s very simple and entertaining for young children, and reminds me of the old tales that we read as kids, where life was simple and the world was full of innocence.
Note: I received this title free from Netgalley for an honest review.
September 27, 2015
For full review please go to: 5girlsbookreviews.blogspot.com, Twitter @camartinez and Facebook "5 Girls Book Reviews"
REVIEW BY: Arianna, age 12 years, 9 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This book was great because it took me on a wonderful journey! I really like all of the characters and couldn't pick just one favorite. My favorite scene in the book is when Nostromo helps Minerua because it is super sweet and makes me feel happy when I read about his good deed.
REVIEW BY: Arianna, age 12 years, 9 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This book was great because it took me on a wonderful journey! I really like all of the characters and couldn't pick just one favorite. My favorite scene in the book is when Nostromo helps Minerua because it is super sweet and makes me feel happy when I read about his good deed.
September 10, 2016
Immediately, I knew this book would not be good to use to teach social studies. Just because something is described as "historical" on the back doesn't mean it is. The presence of magical elements makes this a legend, myth, or a fairytale of sorts. Not to be used for social studies.
That being said, it is an interesting tale of adventure, framed as a bedtime story from father to son, which is cute. One could use this to teach the concept of "legend," and it is a quick read.
That being said, it is an interesting tale of adventure, framed as a bedtime story from father to son, which is cute. One could use this to teach the concept of "legend," and it is a quick read.
January 26, 2016
I received this through the Goodreads Giveaway program.
The story was interesting but the style of writing was too low key, even when there were exciting things that took place. I'm not sure if it will hold the interest of children. I'm going to share it with my 6 and 8 year old granddaughters and get their feedback.
The story was interesting but the style of writing was too low key, even when there were exciting things that took place. I'm not sure if it will hold the interest of children. I'm going to share it with my 6 and 8 year old granddaughters and get their feedback.
March 19, 2016
This book is absolutely charming. It's the story/legend of a man who befriends a dwarf, Nostromo. The man is telling the story of his friendship to his child, bits and pieces of the story each night at bedtime. It's a sweet story. I won this book through FirstReads.
August 26, 2015
I really enjoyed the humour of the narrative voice in this story. The illustrations were very simple and made it feel as if Nostromo the dwarf drew them himself.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews