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The Dream Merchant
Winner of the Netherlands' most prestigious children's book award, this epic adventure quest draws readers deep into a collective dream world — and sweeps them along on a riveting journey through a reimagined past.
"They're going to send you on a sales trip and it'll be the death of you — I know what's going on at Gippart. You're their guinea pig."
Josh Cope is a bit of a dreamer . . . who sometimes steals things. Otherwise, he's just your average boy. So why is an international corporation calling him in the middle of the night, insisting that he come and work for them? Why would they be so convinced that Josh is the key to conquering their new market — the past? Drawn into this astonishing, whirlwind adventure, Josh soon finds himself in the middle of a nightmare, caught in a place between dreams and reality. For Josh and his friends to find their way back, they must follow a trail that takes them right into the very heart of the human imagination — and to the furthest ends of time itself.
"They're going to send you on a sales trip and it'll be the death of you — I know what's going on at Gippart. You're their guinea pig."
Josh Cope is a bit of a dreamer . . . who sometimes steals things. Otherwise, he's just your average boy. So why is an international corporation calling him in the middle of the night, insisting that he come and work for them? Why would they be so convinced that Josh is the key to conquering their new market — the past? Drawn into this astonishing, whirlwind adventure, Josh soon finds himself in the middle of a nightmare, caught in a place between dreams and reality. For Josh and his friends to find their way back, they must follow a trail that takes them right into the very heart of the human imagination — and to the furthest ends of time itself.
632 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
46 people are currently reading
1303 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Hoving
19 books27 followersIsabel Hoving was born in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She began her career as a secondary school teacher, during which time she became very active in the Dutch women's movement.
She eventually gave up her job to study literary theory full-time, and spent some months in Senegal, West Africa for a research project.
Hoving's first book, The Dream Merchant, was published in the Netherlands as De gevleugelde kat. It won the 2003 Gouden Zoen award, the Netherlands' most prestigious children's book prize. Her book on Caribbean women migrant writing, In Praise of New Travelers, was published in 2001. She is co-editor of the Dutch five-volume series Cultuur en migratie, on the influence of migrants on Dutch culture.
Hoving is now an academic and lecturer at the University of Amsterdam. She publishes in the fields of intercultural and postcolonial theory and cultural analysis, and edits the journal Thamyris/Intersecting, a journal on issues of place, sex and race.
She lives with her partner and son in Amsterdam.
She eventually gave up her job to study literary theory full-time, and spent some months in Senegal, West Africa for a research project.
Hoving's first book, The Dream Merchant, was published in the Netherlands as De gevleugelde kat. It won the 2003 Gouden Zoen award, the Netherlands' most prestigious children's book prize. Her book on Caribbean women migrant writing, In Praise of New Travelers, was published in 2001. She is co-editor of the Dutch five-volume series Cultuur en migratie, on the influence of migrants on Dutch culture.
Hoving is now an academic and lecturer at the University of Amsterdam. She publishes in the fields of intercultural and postcolonial theory and cultural analysis, and edits the journal Thamyris/Intersecting, a journal on issues of place, sex and race.
She lives with her partner and son in Amsterdam.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 3, 2024
i was confused? but also engaged? a variety of opposing feelings about this book but i finished it pretty quickly so at least it didn't put me in a slump (especially considering it's 600+ pages long).
July 21, 2011
This book is a complete and utter disappointment. Six-hundred some pages of pointless "adventure", characters that do not evoke any emotion from the reader, and a long, drawn-out history that is impossible to remember. Ultimately, the book has no point whatsoever. The characters are frustrating and aggravating. I dreaded reading it. Not recommended.
September 3, 2016
I don’t think I have any book in my collection I have read as many times as The Dream Merchant, even if most of these readings were attempts. My sister bought it for me years back, because of the “better than Harry Potter!” sticker it had on the cover, and she knew I was devouring the books back then. I’m not going to make any claims about whether or not the sticker was telling the truth, but I do feel like it should have read “More confusing than Harry Potter!” because oh dear, this is one confusing book. But I keep getting entranced by it, and yet again as I am reorganizing my books and have it in my hands, I feel like giving it a reread. I have a vague recollection of this happening last year also, but I cannot for the life of me remember whether or not I succeeded in the endeavor.
And this is perhaps very much in the spirit of the books, which deals with a group of children working for a trading organisation. A trading organisation whose market is located in the dream world. As only children can enter this world, they have to go in and sell (or trade) goods. Of course everything goes wrong, kids get stuck, dead twin sisters turn up and the whole thing turns into a nightmare while the kids travel through the dream world in search of… well, that’s a surprise.
And just like a dream, this books doesn’t fully stick with me - I cannot really recall the plot. But I can recall various images.
And this is perhaps very much in the spirit of the books, which deals with a group of children working for a trading organisation. A trading organisation whose market is located in the dream world. As only children can enter this world, they have to go in and sell (or trade) goods. Of course everything goes wrong, kids get stuck, dead twin sisters turn up and the whole thing turns into a nightmare while the kids travel through the dream world in search of… well, that’s a surprise.
And just like a dream, this books doesn’t fully stick with me - I cannot really recall the plot. But I can recall various images.
January 6, 2016
It's been a few years since I last read this book. BUT when I did I LOVED it. It left a major impression on the younger, less experienced reader me. It was constantly easy on the ears. That's what I remember loving about it. The writing was clear and the wording never awkward, the scene setting vibrant, and the characters extremely believable. Which is pretty (very, in my experience) rare for a YA book. You could feel that each character was their own individual person and there were stark contrasts. You never get that feeling where you can tell that the authors own thoughts and traits are leaking into every character making them all share habits/language patterns and become blurry. I'm moving around now, but as soon as I settle, this will be the one of the first books I buy and reread.
Teresa (besides Kitty from the Bartimaeus trilogy) was probably the female character of my childhood who set the bar for all other female YA protagonists. She was independent. None of this modern, fragile, boy-obsessed needy Bella rubbish. She was her own person, self-aware and talented. And not in the trashy, cheap, gimmicky Mary Sue kind of way. More real - or at least, as real as is possible in fanatsy.
Teresa (besides Kitty from the Bartimaeus trilogy) was probably the female character of my childhood who set the bar for all other female YA protagonists. She was independent. None of this modern, fragile, boy-obsessed needy Bella rubbish. She was her own person, self-aware and talented. And not in the trashy, cheap, gimmicky Mary Sue kind of way. More real - or at least, as real as is possible in fanatsy.
April 9, 2011
I remember reading it solely for the thickness of the spine and the lack of anything else to read. Then, it turned out to be one of the most confusing epics that I've ever come across. I always knew I liked dreams and the concept of them being just as real as the real world. For those of you who basically rated on its muddled inconsistency, I can tell you right now that the author intended it to be this way. Dreams aren't crystal-clear projections of your desires--they're the manifestations of all that you've experienced and been affected by, something of a synesthetic portrait that the neurons of your brain creates, despite the fact that the characters are essentially lucid dreamers. I always knew I liked dreams.
March 31, 2009
The Dream Merchant by Isabel Hoving is about a twelve year old boy named Joshua Cope who is recruited by Gippart International as a salesman (or rather salesboy). Gippart specializes in selling merchandise to people in the dream world, also referred to as umaya. They don't usually enlist twelve year olds but they feel that Josh has a special gift and they need him for an urgent umaya mission; to find the legendary people known as the Tembe.
This book has two modes: I can't-wait-to-read-what-happens-next and I will die-if-I-have-to-read-one-more-sentence. It goes back and forth every couple of chapters during the first half of the book. Then all of a sudden the writing gains consistency and the book shines. Chapter sixteen is by far my favorite part and the fact that Hoving was capable of writing it shows a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it relapses just in time to detract from the ending.
As a whole the book isn't very good but it has a lot of charming aspects. Racial diversity is included throughout the entire book. I feel that Hoving put a lot of thought into developing each character and their cultural ties. I also found it to be unpredictable. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed it went in another direction. It was a nice change. Then there is Zizi, a little green love-bird, who belongs to Josh and joins him on his quest. At first I thought the idea was a bit dumb but I grew to love Zizi and her adorableness.
Ultimately, I have to give The Dream Merchant only 3 out of 5 stars. There are a few really wonderful parts that I will remember for a long time, if not indefinitely, but I'm never going to read it again. It was such a pain to get past the dull parts. Although, if Isabel Hoving were to write another fantasy book, I would read it. She has the ability to write an amazing piece of fantasy literature and hopefully she will someday.
This book has two modes: I can't-wait-to-read-what-happens-next and I will die-if-I-have-to-read-one-more-sentence. It goes back and forth every couple of chapters during the first half of the book. Then all of a sudden the writing gains consistency and the book shines. Chapter sixteen is by far my favorite part and the fact that Hoving was capable of writing it shows a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it relapses just in time to detract from the ending.
As a whole the book isn't very good but it has a lot of charming aspects. Racial diversity is included throughout the entire book. I feel that Hoving put a lot of thought into developing each character and their cultural ties. I also found it to be unpredictable. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed it went in another direction. It was a nice change. Then there is Zizi, a little green love-bird, who belongs to Josh and joins him on his quest. At first I thought the idea was a bit dumb but I grew to love Zizi and her adorableness.
Ultimately, I have to give The Dream Merchant only 3 out of 5 stars. There are a few really wonderful parts that I will remember for a long time, if not indefinitely, but I'm never going to read it again. It was such a pain to get past the dull parts. Although, if Isabel Hoving were to write another fantasy book, I would read it. She has the ability to write an amazing piece of fantasy literature and hopefully she will someday.
October 10, 2021
I read this book as a kid, probably when I was around the same age as the main characters (12), and I’ve always remembered it as one of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read. Now, more than a decade later, I found the book again, but I was a little nervous about rereading it — after all, nothing from your childhood is ever the same as you remember it, right?
But this book was exactly as fascinating as I had remembered. In fact, I think I enjoyed it even more as an adult than I did as a kid. (Also, I’m pretty shocked this was in the children’s section of the library ten years ago... there are some seriously violent and disturbing parts of this book.) This is truly one of the most well-formulated, creative stories I’ve ever read! The world-building is impeccable and incredibly memorable. The characters are real: they have real flaws and go through deep changes throughout the novel. Jericho is the greatest chaotic neutral ever to exist. Such an impressive novel!
But this book was exactly as fascinating as I had remembered. In fact, I think I enjoyed it even more as an adult than I did as a kid. (Also, I’m pretty shocked this was in the children’s section of the library ten years ago... there are some seriously violent and disturbing parts of this book.) This is truly one of the most well-formulated, creative stories I’ve ever read! The world-building is impeccable and incredibly memorable. The characters are real: they have real flaws and go through deep changes throughout the novel. Jericho is the greatest chaotic neutral ever to exist. Such an impressive novel!
August 10, 2016
To be entirely honest, I picked this book up solely because I was going on holiday and it was long and I'm a fast reader. I quickly sank into the book, wrapped up in the world that Hoving has created, and enjoyed it immensely.
Oh yes, it's very confusing, complicated and intensive, and reading it quickly is probably a very bad idea. It's not a quick frolic in a fantasy land, nor does it pretend to be. But if you're willing to apply a little time and dedication, it is thoroughly engaging. The basic premise is unique, the characters have their idiosyncrasies which doesn't seem tacked on and unimportant to the plot.
Perhaps it is a little overlong as it takes a while to conclude, but if you have the patience and willing to learn about this brand new world I would recommend The Dream Merchant to anyone.
Oh yes, it's very confusing, complicated and intensive, and reading it quickly is probably a very bad idea. It's not a quick frolic in a fantasy land, nor does it pretend to be. But if you're willing to apply a little time and dedication, it is thoroughly engaging. The basic premise is unique, the characters have their idiosyncrasies which doesn't seem tacked on and unimportant to the plot.
Perhaps it is a little overlong as it takes a while to conclude, but if you have the patience and willing to learn about this brand new world I would recommend The Dream Merchant to anyone.
March 12, 2018
Het boek gaat over Jasje (Joshua) Tak. Een gewone jongen die met zijn moeder Kola en zijn stiefvader Edwin in Amsterdam woont. Op een nacht wordt er naar hun huis gebeld en Jasje neemt op. Een internationale handelsonderneming belt hem op met de vraag of hij bij hen in dienst wil komen. Zijn nieuwsgierigheid overwint de angst en hij gaat, samen met zijn beste vriend Bors, werken bij Giphart International. Hij komt terecht in een handelsavontuur die algauw in een nachtmerrie verandert want hij komt terecht in een schemergebied tussen werkelijkheid en droom in…
Hiermee lijkt de opbouw van het verhaal op bijvoorbeeld Alice in Wonderland. Hierin gaat de hoofdpersoon ook van de realiteit naar een fantasiewereld.
Het genre is heroic fantasy (Coillie, blz. 234). De thema’s in het boek zijn goed en kwaad, vriendschap en geloven in jezelf. Ondanks je angst kun je toch dingen doen die je nooit van jezelf had verwacht. Zeker als je vrienden je steunen.
Het boek heeft een emotieve functie: Jasje heeft geen hoge pet op van zichzelf. Hij is afgunstig op de dingen die zijn vrienden kunnen maar vergeet dat hij zelf zijn eigen kwaliteiten heeft. Hierin kan de jonge lezer zich herkennen. Daarnaast is er een zingevende functie. De boodschap die ik in dit boek vond: accepteer jezelf. Je bent niet slechter of beter dan een ander. Accepteer ook anderen zoals ze zijn. Misschien is de ander anders dan jij maar dat hoeft niet direct slecht te zijn. Je moet de tijd nemen om iemand te leren kennen en openstaan voor de ander.
Persoonlijk haalde ik de thema’s er wel uit, maar ik voelde ze niet zo. Ik werd niet geraakt door het boek of de manier van schrijven. Ik vond het eerder langdradig. Dat vind ik jammer, omdat het een fantastisch avontuur is en je hebt, gezien de dikte van het boek, genoeg tijd om je te hechten aan en echt mee te leven met de hoofdpersonen. Dat gebeurde niet.
Het boek stimuleert zeker de creativiteit van de lezer, mits de jonge lezer genoeg geduld heeft om door te lezen (507 pagina's!) Gelukkig is het taalgebruik makkelijk en er zit ook zeker taalhumor in. In elke hoofdstuk wordt de spanning opnieuw opgebouwd als deel van het avontuur. Ook komen er historische feitjes in het boek voor.
Hiermee lijkt de opbouw van het verhaal op bijvoorbeeld Alice in Wonderland. Hierin gaat de hoofdpersoon ook van de realiteit naar een fantasiewereld.
Het genre is heroic fantasy (Coillie, blz. 234). De thema’s in het boek zijn goed en kwaad, vriendschap en geloven in jezelf. Ondanks je angst kun je toch dingen doen die je nooit van jezelf had verwacht. Zeker als je vrienden je steunen.
Het boek heeft een emotieve functie: Jasje heeft geen hoge pet op van zichzelf. Hij is afgunstig op de dingen die zijn vrienden kunnen maar vergeet dat hij zelf zijn eigen kwaliteiten heeft. Hierin kan de jonge lezer zich herkennen. Daarnaast is er een zingevende functie. De boodschap die ik in dit boek vond: accepteer jezelf. Je bent niet slechter of beter dan een ander. Accepteer ook anderen zoals ze zijn. Misschien is de ander anders dan jij maar dat hoeft niet direct slecht te zijn. Je moet de tijd nemen om iemand te leren kennen en openstaan voor de ander.
Persoonlijk haalde ik de thema’s er wel uit, maar ik voelde ze niet zo. Ik werd niet geraakt door het boek of de manier van schrijven. Ik vond het eerder langdradig. Dat vind ik jammer, omdat het een fantastisch avontuur is en je hebt, gezien de dikte van het boek, genoeg tijd om je te hechten aan en echt mee te leven met de hoofdpersonen. Dat gebeurde niet.
Het boek stimuleert zeker de creativiteit van de lezer, mits de jonge lezer genoeg geduld heeft om door te lezen (507 pagina's!) Gelukkig is het taalgebruik makkelijk en er zit ook zeker taalhumor in. In elke hoofdstuk wordt de spanning opnieuw opgebouwd als deel van het avontuur. Ook komen er historische feitjes in het boek voor.
April 24, 2012
This is not your every day YA novel. The concepts are more complex, for example, than the straight forward Good vs Evil of the Harry Potter novels. The story is about a multinational corporation that is hiring children to help them expand their markets. The children are lured into these sales associate jobs with promises of extraordinary adventure as well as actual income that they can spend in special company showrooms full of remarkable toys, games, and futuristic inventions. Josh, Baz, and Teresa are lured for special talents the corporation believes they possess. But the story expands over a thousand years and more of human history. Each of the children passes through traditional-but-unique coming-of-age moments on the way to deciding their future in, or out of, the offices and schemes of Gippart International. The author is from the Netherlands, a country that once sat at the center of a great trade empire nearly comparable to that of England. Whether that history is captured here and there in the novel is not clear to this reader, but I wouldn't be at all surprised. With all the age-banding debate that is rife these days, I wouldn't want to speculate who should try to read this and who should not. Put it in their hands and let them bring their questions or decide to put it down for another day.
July 13, 2023
Joshua Cope is a very ordinary 11 year old boy, not particulary talented, unlike his best friend Baz who is an amazing drummer. He has a dysfunctional but not particularly so family, he lives with his mother Mo and her partner and visits his father at the weekends. His older sister is mildly annoying, as is her boyfriend who is always asking to see Joshua's collection. Which is where what Joshua considers his own talent comes in, he's a good thief. Late at night the phone rings, but none of the others in the house wakes and eventually he answers. A strange man on the phone, he hangs up, but the calls keep coming and so begins an amazing tale of dream worlds, lost twins, broken families and high adventure rooted in the emotional landscape of four young children. Absolutely brilliant.
October 7, 2019
Trippy stuff! I never managed to feel fully invested in the characters somehow, which made it a slightly slower read than usual for me, but the story and the concepts behind them were quite fascinating and kept me coming back to it.
January 10, 2018
Personal Response
The Dream Merchant was an addicting book. It was incredibly adventurous and epic leaving me wanting more. The book was a long one but, it was worth every second.
Plot
This Dutch novel by Isabel Hoving followed the adventures of Joshua Cope. He had a very particular set of skills that made him a perfect candidate for the experiment that was being conducted by Gippart International. They wanted children to travel through dreams to sell things on the account of them being a merchant company. Joshua was accepted into the program easily as he could fall asleep when he wanted which is how you would get out of the “dream world”. The leader of Gippart had more intentions than just dream travelling, he wanted to go through time and knew how to find out. The people who supposedly knew how to travel through time were the Temberi. They were located on the edge of time. Josh and his friends got sent into an Umaya with two sensors. Sensors were adults who travelled through the dream world. They landed in the 1700’s on an island but the sensors and Gipparts president tricked them. The sensors found a way to close off the Umaya so the kids couldn’t get out. All four of them had only one way out, they had to find the Temberi and so they did on a two week journey through time as it went backwards. After finding the supposed time travellers Josh and all his friends were sent to the beginning of time and could then make it back home.
Characterization
Joshua Cope was undoubtedly the main character. He was a very odd kid who collected trinkets, was an amazing thief and could fall asleep whenever he wants. Towards the beginning Josh was a loner with few friends but by the end he was worshipped for saving the organization.
Recommendation
This was a very long book with a very complex plotline. It definitely wasn’t an easy read. The book would be well suited towards any high schooler.
The Dream Merchant was an addicting book. It was incredibly adventurous and epic leaving me wanting more. The book was a long one but, it was worth every second.
Plot
This Dutch novel by Isabel Hoving followed the adventures of Joshua Cope. He had a very particular set of skills that made him a perfect candidate for the experiment that was being conducted by Gippart International. They wanted children to travel through dreams to sell things on the account of them being a merchant company. Joshua was accepted into the program easily as he could fall asleep when he wanted which is how you would get out of the “dream world”. The leader of Gippart had more intentions than just dream travelling, he wanted to go through time and knew how to find out. The people who supposedly knew how to travel through time were the Temberi. They were located on the edge of time. Josh and his friends got sent into an Umaya with two sensors. Sensors were adults who travelled through the dream world. They landed in the 1700’s on an island but the sensors and Gipparts president tricked them. The sensors found a way to close off the Umaya so the kids couldn’t get out. All four of them had only one way out, they had to find the Temberi and so they did on a two week journey through time as it went backwards. After finding the supposed time travellers Josh and all his friends were sent to the beginning of time and could then make it back home.
Characterization
Joshua Cope was undoubtedly the main character. He was a very odd kid who collected trinkets, was an amazing thief and could fall asleep whenever he wants. Towards the beginning Josh was a loner with few friends but by the end he was worshipped for saving the organization.
Recommendation
This was a very long book with a very complex plotline. It definitely wasn’t an easy read. The book would be well suited towards any high schooler.
November 15, 2024
Set mostly in dream land, The Dream Merchant feels very much like a dream - confusing, strange, bizarre things happening that are easily accepted as normal by the protagonist. Its disjointed storyline was hard to get interested in and the characters were pretty lacklustre. The amount of imagination was great and I think maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read it when I was a bit younger and less fussy about writing styles. This was my third attempt at reading it and I ended up skimming the last 100 or so pages because by that point I was so thoroughly confused while having so little interest in the fate of the charachters that I really just wanted to be done.
September 29, 2017
I was in a mood for adventure/fantasy read and I accidentally bumped into this book, it was actually a used book and without second thought I grabbed it!
It was indeed an original adventure and a page-turner. *Josh - vision, Teresa-storyteller, Baz-drummer; unusually good combination of abilities for a team and let us not forget the collective dream world of Umaya that made it a good read.
The translated version was comprehensible and it was highly recommended for all ages.
It was indeed an original adventure and a page-turner. *Josh - vision, Teresa-storyteller, Baz-drummer; unusually good combination of abilities for a team and let us not forget the collective dream world of Umaya that made it a good read.
The translated version was comprehensible and it was highly recommended for all ages.
May 18, 2022
Preso in biblioteca attirata dal titolo, dal banco dei libri per ragazzi. L'ho letto per capire se fosse adatto a mia figlia di 9 anni e no, non lo è.
La storia comunque è interessante, e tiene incollati alle pagine, pur se con qualche aspetto non proprio chiarissimo.
È un libro molto onirico, molto particolare, e riguarda tre ragazzi dodicenni (+1) che partono per un viaggio tutto particolare... Ma non dico di più, per non fare spoiler ;)
La storia comunque è interessante, e tiene incollati alle pagine, pur se con qualche aspetto non proprio chiarissimo.
È un libro molto onirico, molto particolare, e riguarda tre ragazzi dodicenni (+1) che partono per un viaggio tutto particolare... Ma non dico di più, per non fare spoiler ;)
March 17, 2013
Libro geniale. Ma veramente geniale. Diverso dal solito, come trama e come idee. Possono 3 ragazzini entrare in quello che � un mondo forgiato da un sogno collettivo? Tutti i sogni degli umani, nei secoli, creano un mondo parallelo, composto da tutti i sogni di tutti, al punto da farne una realt� alternativa ma perfettamente credibile. E in cui il tempo passato � parallelo al tempo presente, basta addormentarsi e si cambia anno, indietro ogni notte di 35 anni. Assolutamente affascinante. Per�...... c'� un errore clamoroso. Quando i piccoli dodicenni protagonisti si spaventano e reagiscono con la rabbia e la paura, il testo si riempie di parolacce cos� forti da far arrossire uno scaricatore di porto. Cos�, poche righe di dialogo inficiano l'efficacia di magari 100 pagine fantastiche. Non capisco se � un errore di traduzione, oppure se il testo originario � questo. Sicuramente se non fosse per questo sarebbe scritto e tradotto magnificamente. Ma quelle righe, ogni tanto, mi portano a non consigliarlo ai ragazzini che hanno avuto una giusta educazione. Un vero peccato, perch� il libro � magnifica!
July 14, 2012
The Dream Merchant is an exciting story following the journey of Joshua Cope and his friends as the embark on an dangerous adventure in dream time.
The book is set in modern times at the beginning but soon goes into the mysterious world of dream time or umaya. Umaya is the place outside real time that is independent from real time and is made out of peoples dreams. This mysterious world is ventured into by Gippart, a large company that goes back in time and sells goods in umaya.
Joshua Cope is just an ordinary boy with a few quirks, but soon enough he catches the attention of Gippart who employs him as an 'associate' to sell things in the umaya. However, things soon go wrong when the doors into the umaya slam shut, trapping Josh and his friends!
Josh is a resourceful and determined person, but inclined to be dreamy. He has a slight problem with stealing which gets him into trouble in places.
I would recommend this book to tweens and teens because it is quite long and does need some dedication.
The book is set in modern times at the beginning but soon goes into the mysterious world of dream time or umaya. Umaya is the place outside real time that is independent from real time and is made out of peoples dreams. This mysterious world is ventured into by Gippart, a large company that goes back in time and sells goods in umaya.
Joshua Cope is just an ordinary boy with a few quirks, but soon enough he catches the attention of Gippart who employs him as an 'associate' to sell things in the umaya. However, things soon go wrong when the doors into the umaya slam shut, trapping Josh and his friends!
Josh is a resourceful and determined person, but inclined to be dreamy. He has a slight problem with stealing which gets him into trouble in places.
I would recommend this book to tweens and teens because it is quite long and does need some dedication.
March 26, 2017
This was the worst book I ever read. I could only get through the first 200 pages before I realized this book was going nowhere. Jericho was a huge disappointment to me and crushed everything that this book could've been. There was so much plot convenience I almost died. Teresa was the best character until she was started to be made out to be annoying. Mervin Spratt( From what I read) was just trying to punish someone he thought was a thief of the umaya. I didn't get or like the history. I thought you would take things from the umaya because its just a dream world. How does taking things from a dream mess up everything.
Also I hasted Jericho and Josh because she was a little time traveling(or not I couldn't really tell) brat and Josh was a foolish, idiot who told a stranger everything about him over the phone. Also if you read the premise and thought the main character would be even an occasional thief who couldn't help himself( You were dead wrong).
Did she proof read? And why are all the other 4 star reviews just summaries.
Also I hasted Jericho and Josh because she was a little time traveling(or not I couldn't really tell) brat and Josh was a foolish, idiot who told a stranger everything about him over the phone. Also if you read the premise and thought the main character would be even an occasional thief who couldn't help himself( You were dead wrong).
Did she proof read? And why are all the other 4 star reviews just summaries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2018
This book has been on my shelf since I was around 12 (23 now) and it is definitely the most loved in my collection. Seriously, it looks like an ancient tomb that's been opened so many times it might fall apart if I read it again. Not that that will ever stop me.
This was the first "big" book I tried my hand at, and it was the one that really cemented my love of fantasy, science fiction and mythology. When I wasn't daydreaming of recieving my Hogwarts letter, I was daydreaming about getting a phone call telling me I was hired at Gippart International.
This was the first "big" book I tried my hand at, and it was the one that really cemented my love of fantasy, science fiction and mythology. When I wasn't daydreaming of recieving my Hogwarts letter, I was daydreaming about getting a phone call telling me I was hired at Gippart International.
January 22, 2012
Excellent fantasy tale about buying and selling from dream worlds. Targeted at Children but still a very enjoyable read for an adult in my opinion. Based around an international company that uses children to enter the dream world and work for them and a new kid is found that they think can open a new market for them in the past. Great imagination and a story line that keeps you intrigued all of the way through.
52 book challenge - Author was born in Holland
52 book challenge - Author was born in Holland
June 9, 2012
I have to say, I didn't finish this book. I gave it a good go and got through about 450 of 650 pages, but couldn't go on. I found the story really interesting at first but then got too convoluted with little detail and information to follow that I lost interest and lost in where the story was progressing to. I may try it again, but had to give it a break for now.
August 21, 2012
For a 'children's book' this is very good. Hoving has created an original and brilliant concept with well developed characters, an intricate but gripping story line, and a writing style which is perfect for developing a more mature and sophisticated reading experience for young people.
I would highly recommend it.
I would highly recommend it.
April 17, 2014
This was the first book I loved. I't still is. Josh is just an ordinary boy, a talented thief and a great sleeper. One day his phones rings ,luring him into a world mystery, lost twins, umaya and the end of time itself. A epic adventure which leads to being, in my opinion, one of the best and most complex books I have ever read.
May 18, 2012
Literally one of my favourite books.
June 17, 2012
An enchanting fantasy story.
July 28, 2012
Freaking fantastic.
August 6, 2018
One of the most surreal "children's" books I've ever thoroughly read and enjoyed.
December 28, 2020
At 640 pages, The Dream Merchant by Isobel Hoving is a monster of a YA book which is easy to get lost in but sometimes misses the mark.
Hoving builds a great and detailed fantasy universe around the concept that there are international corporations which trade in the dream world. The main character Josh is scoped as a teenage talent to push the corporation to the next frontier - time travelling!
The concept is fantastic and the world provides such a strong foundation for the story to be built on, meaning that it is a potential 5/5. HOWEVER, the execution sometimes misses the mark and means it is a 3/5.
The story is just not robust enough to see the potential through to completion. Although the conceptual world is strong enough to do so, and the characters are equally well developed to push it over the finish line. Unfortunately, its the plot itself which doesn't hold up in this monster of a book.
The plot is quest based, where Josh and his buddies have to go through SEVEN adventures to get home safe. Seven is way too much - to build each environment and context (as each takes places in different times and places) and the supporting characters/villains in each location. I felt a bit fatigued with the adventures by about the fourth quest.
This over ambition is my main problem with the book, I enjoy the fantasy world - particularly the capitalist nature of it, that the corporations are trying to make money in a very raw and recognisably human way. It also raises interesting questions about the ethics/morality of commercialising new aspects of life such as dreams, and the use of teenagers to do so (leading to informed consent questions, etc.).
I just think that you would be fulfilled with 3 or 4 adventures that are well rounded out - such as the child-napping/plague plot lines.
The characters are well done- particularly Josh and his two companions. They are a diverse friend group, which I like- Baz (Josh's bestie) is Asian, whilst Teresa is black - and is representative of modern day Britain. Whilst diverse, it doesn't labour the point it is just a normal teenage friend group.
Another enjoyable aspect is that the book is grounded very well, there is a thread of normalacy which keeps everything real. This is essential in a book where such whacky adventures are happening, and really adds to the book
Ultimately The Dream Merchant could have done with a good editor to force the author to make decisions, although it is enjoyable. It can be simplistic in structure (quest based) and characters but not overly so. However, it would make a smashing YA film - the costumes are described fantastically, as are the different people in each time/place so there could be a really compelling film made.
Apologies, I did film a video on this book but I look truly horrendous in it so I have saved you from me!
Hoving builds a great and detailed fantasy universe around the concept that there are international corporations which trade in the dream world. The main character Josh is scoped as a teenage talent to push the corporation to the next frontier - time travelling!
The concept is fantastic and the world provides such a strong foundation for the story to be built on, meaning that it is a potential 5/5. HOWEVER, the execution sometimes misses the mark and means it is a 3/5.
The story is just not robust enough to see the potential through to completion. Although the conceptual world is strong enough to do so, and the characters are equally well developed to push it over the finish line. Unfortunately, its the plot itself which doesn't hold up in this monster of a book.
The plot is quest based, where Josh and his buddies have to go through SEVEN adventures to get home safe. Seven is way too much - to build each environment and context (as each takes places in different times and places) and the supporting characters/villains in each location. I felt a bit fatigued with the adventures by about the fourth quest.
This over ambition is my main problem with the book, I enjoy the fantasy world - particularly the capitalist nature of it, that the corporations are trying to make money in a very raw and recognisably human way. It also raises interesting questions about the ethics/morality of commercialising new aspects of life such as dreams, and the use of teenagers to do so (leading to informed consent questions, etc.).
I just think that you would be fulfilled with 3 or 4 adventures that are well rounded out - such as the child-napping/plague plot lines.
The characters are well done- particularly Josh and his two companions. They are a diverse friend group, which I like- Baz (Josh's bestie) is Asian, whilst Teresa is black - and is representative of modern day Britain. Whilst diverse, it doesn't labour the point it is just a normal teenage friend group.
Another enjoyable aspect is that the book is grounded very well, there is a thread of normalacy which keeps everything real. This is essential in a book where such whacky adventures are happening, and really adds to the book
Ultimately The Dream Merchant could have done with a good editor to force the author to make decisions, although it is enjoyable. It can be simplistic in structure (quest based) and characters but not overly so. However, it would make a smashing YA film - the costumes are described fantastically, as are the different people in each time/place so there could be a really compelling film made.
Apologies, I did film a video on this book but I look truly horrendous in it so I have saved you from me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2018
Jasje, een doodgewone jongen van 12 jaar, werkt als kommissionier bij Giphart Internationaal. Een kommissionier reist door droomwereld Umaija en verkoopt uitvindingen aan de mensen. Het bedrijf probeert Jasje, Bors en Teresa de echte geschiedenis in te helpen. Dit gaat niet altijd goed, er zijn zelfs al doden gevallen. Ook bij de drie kinderen gaat het fout. Er ontstaat een ‘tijdgat’ in Umaija, waardoor ze niet meer terug kunnen naar huis en ze steeds verder terug in de tijd gaan. Het enige redmiddel is naar het volk de Temberi. Ze wonen aan de rand van de droomwereld en daar kunnen ze Umaija uit. Maar, ze moeten onwijs opschieten, krachten vinden om de familievloek op te heffen en onderweg loopt ook niet alles volgens plan…
De gevleugelde kat behoort tot de fantasieverhalen. Het is dan ook logisch dat dit geen realistisch verhaal is. Het verhaal speelt zich voornamelijk af in een volledig verzonnen, onbestaande wereld en is eendimensionaal (Coillie, 2007). Het kent ook het onvergetelijke monster Satura (Coillie, 2007).
De hamvraag is hoe en of de drie überhaupt terugkomen. De stijl van het boek is jeugdig. Dit is te zien aan de taal. Woorden als cool en vet worden gebruikt. Er komen geen moeilijke woorden in voor. De spanningsopbouw loopt op. Ondanks de spannende stukken in de boek, wordt de spanning opgevoerd tot het einde. Dit heeft te maken met het antwoord die we dan krijgen op de hamvraag.
Het verhaal speelt zich in het heden af in Amsterdam, en vanaf het jaar 1000 in Umaija. Dit werkte soms verwarrend. Voorin het boek is een plattegrond geïllustreerd van Umaija.
Vriendschap, geschiedenis en ruzie zijn motieven in het boek. Vooral geschiedenis staat centraal, omdat ze terug de geschiedenis in gaan.
Wat mij raakte in het boek was dat de kinderen door Giphart gedwongen werden om te tijdreizen terwijl hij wist dat er eerder doden bij zijn gevallen. Verder vond ik het boek op sommige stukken langdradig. Van bladzijde 246 tot 362 beschrijft het bijvoorbeeld een halve dag.
De pedagogische en zingevende visie is dat er in ieder mens wel iets speciaals zit, maar dat je dat alleen moet ontdekken en dit kost soms tijd. Een wijze les voor veel leerlingen, in mijn ogen. Het boek is geschikt voor kinderen vanaf 12 jaar, en ze moeten wel geïnteresseerd zijn in de geschiedenis en in dikke boeken.
Het boek kent vooral de creatieve functie. De lezer wordt aangezet creatief met de wereld om te gaan (Coillie, 2007). ook de ontspannende functie is aanwezig. Kinderen kunnen wegdromen met dit boek (Coillie, 2007).
Ik vond het boek wel erg langdradig. Het telt meer dan 500 pagina’s, en ik was er bijna klaar mee toen er bijvoorbeeld 116 bladzijden gedaan werd om een halve dag gedetailleerd te vertellen.
De gevleugelde kat behoort tot de fantasieverhalen. Het is dan ook logisch dat dit geen realistisch verhaal is. Het verhaal speelt zich voornamelijk af in een volledig verzonnen, onbestaande wereld en is eendimensionaal (Coillie, 2007). Het kent ook het onvergetelijke monster Satura (Coillie, 2007).
De hamvraag is hoe en of de drie überhaupt terugkomen. De stijl van het boek is jeugdig. Dit is te zien aan de taal. Woorden als cool en vet worden gebruikt. Er komen geen moeilijke woorden in voor. De spanningsopbouw loopt op. Ondanks de spannende stukken in de boek, wordt de spanning opgevoerd tot het einde. Dit heeft te maken met het antwoord die we dan krijgen op de hamvraag.
Het verhaal speelt zich in het heden af in Amsterdam, en vanaf het jaar 1000 in Umaija. Dit werkte soms verwarrend. Voorin het boek is een plattegrond geïllustreerd van Umaija.
Vriendschap, geschiedenis en ruzie zijn motieven in het boek. Vooral geschiedenis staat centraal, omdat ze terug de geschiedenis in gaan.
Wat mij raakte in het boek was dat de kinderen door Giphart gedwongen werden om te tijdreizen terwijl hij wist dat er eerder doden bij zijn gevallen. Verder vond ik het boek op sommige stukken langdradig. Van bladzijde 246 tot 362 beschrijft het bijvoorbeeld een halve dag.
De pedagogische en zingevende visie is dat er in ieder mens wel iets speciaals zit, maar dat je dat alleen moet ontdekken en dit kost soms tijd. Een wijze les voor veel leerlingen, in mijn ogen. Het boek is geschikt voor kinderen vanaf 12 jaar, en ze moeten wel geïnteresseerd zijn in de geschiedenis en in dikke boeken.
Het boek kent vooral de creatieve functie. De lezer wordt aangezet creatief met de wereld om te gaan (Coillie, 2007). ook de ontspannende functie is aanwezig. Kinderen kunnen wegdromen met dit boek (Coillie, 2007).
Ik vond het boek wel erg langdradig. Het telt meer dan 500 pagina’s, en ik was er bijna klaar mee toen er bijvoorbeeld 116 bladzijden gedaan werd om een halve dag gedetailleerd te vertellen.
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