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The Simple Gift
I'm not proud.
I'm sixteen, and soon
to be homeless.
Weary of his life with his alcoholic, abusive father, sixteen-year-old Billy packs a few belongings and hits the road, hoping for something better than what he left behind. He finds a home in an abandoned freight train outside a small town, where he falls in love with rich, restless Caitlin and befriends a fellow train resident, "Old Bill," who slowly reveals a tragic past. When Billy is given a gift that changes everything, he learns not only to how forge his own path in life, but the real meaning of family.
I'm sixteen, and soon
to be homeless.
Weary of his life with his alcoholic, abusive father, sixteen-year-old Billy packs a few belongings and hits the road, hoping for something better than what he left behind. He finds a home in an abandoned freight train outside a small town, where he falls in love with rich, restless Caitlin and befriends a fellow train resident, "Old Bill," who slowly reveals a tragic past. When Billy is given a gift that changes everything, he learns not only to how forge his own path in life, but the real meaning of family.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2000
80 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
December 23, 2019
One of the sincerest book I’ve ever read. So precious and lovely. I dare you not to feel protective toward Billy and Old Bill and Caitlin. You cannot. Period.
Such gentle souls.
Such gentle language.
Carried me away.
Such gentle souls.
Such gentle language.
Carried me away.
March 18, 2022
5★
“so you do the only thing possible,
you avoid the rules.”
What an absolutely delightful Aussie book this is for both adults and young readers. The layout is long, slender strings of free verse. No arty rhymes or fancy rhythms, just a flowing, straight-forward, thoughtful story.
Billy is a 16-year old kid who’s walked out on his drunk, abusive father and hopped a train, in the tradition of the old-time hobos ridin’ the rails.
He doesn’t have much, but he has his freedom and has found a friendly local library where he’s allowed to sit and read to his heart’s content—so he does. It's the sort of place he probably first read about hobos and dreamed about adventure.
“It’s a good library.
Lots of books, sure,
and lounges soft and comfortable
for real reading,
and I choose one
in the corner
and I settle down
with a book about these kids
stranded on a deserted island
and some try to live right
but the others go feral
and it’s a good book
and I’m there, on the island,
gorging on tropical fruit,
trying to decide whose side I’m on
And then it hits me.
I’m on neither.
I’d go off alone,
because you can’t trust
those who want to break the rules
and you certainly can’t trust
those who make the rules,
so you do the only thing possible,
you avoid the rules.
That’s me,
on the deserted island
of a soft lounge
in Bendarat Library.”
He scavenges McDonald’s left-overs, adopts “Old Bill” (probably still in his 40s, but from the vantage point of a 16-year-old kid, that’s old), and squats in the old railroad carriage next to Old Bill’s adopted accommodation.
Chapters alternate between Billy, Old Bill, and later Caitlin, a 17-year-old McDonald’s employee, daughter of a local well-to-do family. It was never confusing whose chapter it was, but I thought each character narrated in the same tone and language, almost as if Billy were telling their stories, too.
Beautiful style, good characters and story, and an excellent one to get young readers started on, with its many types of language, metaphors, descriptive phrases, etc. The poetic format makes it physically very easy to read, too. The sentences ramble on, with erratic punctuation (which kids would probably enjoy), but it is never confusing.
There would be many conversations about the various 'gifts' in the story, I'm sure.
A welcome discovery! I do have a soft spot for a well-written YA book.
“so you do the only thing possible,
you avoid the rules.”
What an absolutely delightful Aussie book this is for both adults and young readers. The layout is long, slender strings of free verse. No arty rhymes or fancy rhythms, just a flowing, straight-forward, thoughtful story.
Billy is a 16-year old kid who’s walked out on his drunk, abusive father and hopped a train, in the tradition of the old-time hobos ridin’ the rails.
He doesn’t have much, but he has his freedom and has found a friendly local library where he’s allowed to sit and read to his heart’s content—so he does. It's the sort of place he probably first read about hobos and dreamed about adventure.
“It’s a good library.
Lots of books, sure,
and lounges soft and comfortable
for real reading,
and I choose one
in the corner
and I settle down
with a book about these kids
stranded on a deserted island
and some try to live right
but the others go feral
and it’s a good book
and I’m there, on the island,
gorging on tropical fruit,
trying to decide whose side I’m on
And then it hits me.
I’m on neither.
I’d go off alone,
because you can’t trust
those who want to break the rules
and you certainly can’t trust
those who make the rules,
so you do the only thing possible,
you avoid the rules.
That’s me,
on the deserted island
of a soft lounge
in Bendarat Library.”
He scavenges McDonald’s left-overs, adopts “Old Bill” (probably still in his 40s, but from the vantage point of a 16-year-old kid, that’s old), and squats in the old railroad carriage next to Old Bill’s adopted accommodation.
Chapters alternate between Billy, Old Bill, and later Caitlin, a 17-year-old McDonald’s employee, daughter of a local well-to-do family. It was never confusing whose chapter it was, but I thought each character narrated in the same tone and language, almost as if Billy were telling their stories, too.
Beautiful style, good characters and story, and an excellent one to get young readers started on, with its many types of language, metaphors, descriptive phrases, etc. The poetic format makes it physically very easy to read, too. The sentences ramble on, with erratic punctuation (which kids would probably enjoy), but it is never confusing.
There would be many conversations about the various 'gifts' in the story, I'm sure.
A welcome discovery! I do have a soft spot for a well-written YA book.
January 2, 2011
Favourite Quote: "I'd go off alone, because you can't trust those who want to break the rules and you certainly can't trust those who make the rules, so you do the only thing possible, you avoid the rules."
Wow, I loved The Simple Gift. It is beautiful, touching and potent.
First off, The Simple Gift is written in verse. There is something about verse novels that resonates with me. Maybe because as a teen I often wrote my diaries in verse. I find sometimes simple words can capture so much emotion and this book is the perfect example of that.
The storyline deals with some compelling issues: friendship, love, living on the street, grief and family. Despite the hard issues it deals with this book made me feel happy and hopeful. The characters Bill, Old Bill and Caitlin creep into your heart and stay there. Maybe that is because when you reading this book it is like you are sharing the characters feelings.
There really are no words to describe how this story made me feel but I can tell you this is one of those books that I will keep forever.
Since, I am stuck for words how to describe my thoughts and I also because I love the writing, here is a favourite passage of mine:-
(from pg 127)
It was like falling headlong
into the clear waters
of the Bendarat River
and opening my eyes
to the beautiful
phosphorescent bubbles of light
and trying to capture those bubbles
in the new world of quiet and calm
that carried me along, breathless,
and too late, or too early,I surfaced
and broke the gentle tide,
and I gasped and rolled
and wished Caitlin and I
could return to the hush
of that special world
and we could float
safe for a lifetime
lost
and hoping never
to be found.
Overall, The Simple Gift is a powerful story that will linger in your thoughts long after you have read it. Fans of verse novels shouldn't miss this book.
Wow, I loved The Simple Gift. It is beautiful, touching and potent.
First off, The Simple Gift is written in verse. There is something about verse novels that resonates with me. Maybe because as a teen I often wrote my diaries in verse. I find sometimes simple words can capture so much emotion and this book is the perfect example of that.
The storyline deals with some compelling issues: friendship, love, living on the street, grief and family. Despite the hard issues it deals with this book made me feel happy and hopeful. The characters Bill, Old Bill and Caitlin creep into your heart and stay there. Maybe that is because when you reading this book it is like you are sharing the characters feelings.
There really are no words to describe how this story made me feel but I can tell you this is one of those books that I will keep forever.
Since, I am stuck for words how to describe my thoughts and I also because I love the writing, here is a favourite passage of mine:-
(from pg 127)
It was like falling headlong
into the clear waters
of the Bendarat River
and opening my eyes
to the beautiful
phosphorescent bubbles of light
and trying to capture those bubbles
in the new world of quiet and calm
that carried me along, breathless,
and too late, or too early,I surfaced
and broke the gentle tide,
and I gasped and rolled
and wished Caitlin and I
could return to the hush
of that special world
and we could float
safe for a lifetime
lost
and hoping never
to be found.
Overall, The Simple Gift is a powerful story that will linger in your thoughts long after you have read it. Fans of verse novels shouldn't miss this book.
October 17, 2017
SOME SPOILERS THOUGH THE BOOK GENERIC ENOUGH YOU COULD PROBABLY FIGURE IT OUT BEFORE THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY.
______________________
I purchased 'The Simple Gift' when I undertook my HSC a few years ago as it was the prescribed text. There was a reason my English classes' nick name for it was: "The Simple Text".
The story centers on a young man dealing with the disenfranchisement of public school, abuse at home, and chooses to become homeless in order to escape.
For many young people homelessness is a real issue that Herrick paints, almost romantically, as our main character makes a friend with an older homeless man (who HAS a house that he somehow hasn't lost despite the fact he probably hasn't paid his rates in years), suddenly gets a girlfriend who rebels against her rich family by seeing the goodness in our main lead, and undertakes 'trails' of body and character to discover his own self worth and dignity. This occurs while convenient luck in the shape of a job, Centrelink officers who don't ask questions and no erroneous arrests for loitering, assists our lead through his 'trials'.
The humour in the novella is that while our main lead is railing against the production line style of school the story reads as if the, then called, Department of Education NSW approached Herrick to write a generic story that would both fit the HSC English concepts of 'Belonging' and 'Journeys'. No wonder my school attempted to make us attend a 'mandatory that costs extra money' lecture given by Herrick on his intentions and themes of his work.
Herrick creates a tale that both simplifies the issues of; grief, homelessness, stereotypes, class, and education and somehow, he also insults each person in society that is currently dealing with those issues with this sorry excuse for a work. The book has no subtlety, slapping you across the face with examples from a Year 9 English class definition list of imagery, metaphor, and simile. Are people sad? It's raining! There's a key on the cover? The key is both a physical key to a new home and a metaphorical one to a new life!
Honestly, teenagers could've written better.
Final Thoughts.
My HSC crew lived through the birth of the "Better love story than Twilight meme." Well let me tell you... Twilight had the better love story in this case.
______________________
I purchased 'The Simple Gift' when I undertook my HSC a few years ago as it was the prescribed text. There was a reason my English classes' nick name for it was: "The Simple Text".
The story centers on a young man dealing with the disenfranchisement of public school, abuse at home, and chooses to become homeless in order to escape.
For many young people homelessness is a real issue that Herrick paints, almost romantically, as our main character makes a friend with an older homeless man (who HAS a house that he somehow hasn't lost despite the fact he probably hasn't paid his rates in years), suddenly gets a girlfriend who rebels against her rich family by seeing the goodness in our main lead, and undertakes 'trails' of body and character to discover his own self worth and dignity. This occurs while convenient luck in the shape of a job, Centrelink officers who don't ask questions and no erroneous arrests for loitering, assists our lead through his 'trials'.
The humour in the novella is that while our main lead is railing against the production line style of school the story reads as if the, then called, Department of Education NSW approached Herrick to write a generic story that would both fit the HSC English concepts of 'Belonging' and 'Journeys'. No wonder my school attempted to make us attend a 'mandatory that costs extra money' lecture given by Herrick on his intentions and themes of his work.
Herrick creates a tale that both simplifies the issues of; grief, homelessness, stereotypes, class, and education and somehow, he also insults each person in society that is currently dealing with those issues with this sorry excuse for a work. The book has no subtlety, slapping you across the face with examples from a Year 9 English class definition list of imagery, metaphor, and simile. Are people sad? It's raining! There's a key on the cover? The key is both a physical key to a new home and a metaphorical one to a new life!
Honestly, teenagers could've written better.
Final Thoughts.
My HSC crew lived through the birth of the "Better love story than Twilight meme." Well let me tell you... Twilight had the better love story in this case.
July 22, 2011
I was given this book by a teacher upon my leaving of highschool. This teacher was my LEAST favourite teacher and I was sure I wouldn't read it, but when I opened the cover I found the inscription:
"To Elise,
You were a wonderful student and the only one I know of that would appreciate a book."
Simple enough but it made me smile and so I gave the book a chance and I'm glad I did.
This was a wonderful read and I wish I still had the book so I could re-read it but it's been misplaced.
"To Elise,
You were a wonderful student and the only one I know of that would appreciate a book."
Simple enough but it made me smile and so I gave the book a chance and I'm glad I did.
This was a wonderful read and I wish I still had the book so I could re-read it but it's been misplaced.
September 7, 2016
I think this is the first novel I've read that's written in verse, I think I like it.
I don't read much Aussie novels (which I need to fix) so it was really nice to read about places I know like TAFE and Coles lol.
Really sweet yet sad story, and extremely easy and quick to read. Read it in an hour or maybe less (this needs to be my average reading time with all books:)).
I do think it gives a very idealistic image of homelessness but who cares it just strengthens the message.
I don't read much Aussie novels (which I need to fix) so it was really nice to read about places I know like TAFE and Coles lol.
Really sweet yet sad story, and extremely easy and quick to read. Read it in an hour or maybe less (this needs to be my average reading time with all books:)).
I do think it gives a very idealistic image of homelessness but who cares it just strengthens the message.
February 21, 2021
My first 'find' for 2021! An excellent Aussie novel is written in a beautiful vignette style.
A book I'd recommend to (mature) young and old readers. The layout is so engaging with Herrick's excellent use of free verse. Nothing fancy, nothing weird, just an easy-to-read story that flows between characters, times and settings.
Billy is a 16-years old runaway (alcoholic abusive father) who finds himself in a fictional quintessential Aussie country town. Here he meets 'Old Bill' who is also living rough, after suffering some heartbreaking losses in his life. Enter Caitlin, a 17-year-old MacDonald's employee who also happens to be from a well-to-do local family.
The novel shifts between characters, locations and stories with such ease you don't even realise the change. From Billy's visits to the local library and scavenging food leftover at Maccas, to his relationships with Old Bill and Caitlin, there is depth, style, character development, lessons and insights.
I loved this story and it would be an excellent one to get young readers/students engaged in reading. So many literary devices (used with such confidence and impact), descriptions that painted a picture for the reader, and poetry without being a poem. The rather random punctuation may not be for everyone but it didn't detract from the importance of the message or the readability of this book.
The vignette style of the story would allow the use of this book in parts too. So many important messages for readers of all ages!
A book I'd recommend to (mature) young and old readers. The layout is so engaging with Herrick's excellent use of free verse. Nothing fancy, nothing weird, just an easy-to-read story that flows between characters, times and settings.
Billy is a 16-years old runaway (alcoholic abusive father) who finds himself in a fictional quintessential Aussie country town. Here he meets 'Old Bill' who is also living rough, after suffering some heartbreaking losses in his life. Enter Caitlin, a 17-year-old MacDonald's employee who also happens to be from a well-to-do local family.
The novel shifts between characters, locations and stories with such ease you don't even realise the change. From Billy's visits to the local library and scavenging food leftover at Maccas, to his relationships with Old Bill and Caitlin, there is depth, style, character development, lessons and insights.
I loved this story and it would be an excellent one to get young readers/students engaged in reading. So many literary devices (used with such confidence and impact), descriptions that painted a picture for the reader, and poetry without being a poem. The rather random punctuation may not be for everyone but it didn't detract from the importance of the message or the readability of this book.
The vignette style of the story would allow the use of this book in parts too. So many important messages for readers of all ages!
March 8, 2016
We are studying this book with our year nines.
I enjoyed the story, and the language, and it was refreshing to read something about 'generosity' and 'friendship', rather than 'being an outsider' and 'grief' and 'prejudice'...
However, it is a pretty idealistic representation of homelessness. Herrick may have experienced a kind of romantic solitary-yet-spiritually-fulfilling version of no-fixed-addressness, but it's not a particularly realistic of teen homelessness in Australia. And maybe that's fine - the job of books isn't always to reflect the real world back at us, afterall.
I enjoyed the story, and the language, and it was refreshing to read something about 'generosity' and 'friendship', rather than 'being an outsider' and 'grief' and 'prejudice'...
However, it is a pretty idealistic representation of homelessness. Herrick may have experienced a kind of romantic solitary-yet-spiritually-fulfilling version of no-fixed-addressness, but it's not a particularly realistic of teen homelessness in Australia. And maybe that's fine - the job of books isn't always to reflect the real world back at us, afterall.
March 21, 2022
i had to read this for english class and it was actually so cuteee ❤️🔥
July 28, 2022
I didn't like this book for multiple reasons. Firstly, the plot was mediocre at best. It's very touching that Billy is homeless but not much really happens other than him meeting some people and then they all become friends or whatever. I didn't like the characters either because in my opinion they’re stereotypical and over used ones at that. They don’t have any depth either. The „poems“ in this book were also not very good. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone because the build up to the ending was practically nonexistent and the plot twist (if you can even call it one) was also a letdown. If you were thinking about reading this book just don’t.
April 30, 2017
The book that we had to read for english for year 8 was the simple gift. It was a very unique book in general. The book didn't build up very well as there was a lot more energy at the start. I like the idea of having a poem format, it was good to see that the writer chose to do something different. For me personally, this isn't the best book that it possibly can be. I did like the ending of the book however just didn't excite me like books that have a good storyline. It lacked in a lot of descriptive language but I get why they did it like that because each page was basically a new scene and it was meant to be short and sharp. Overall I am not a fan of this book but I do recommend that others have a read of it to see if its there sort of style of reading.
July 22, 2015
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/02/t...
The Simple Gift was simply that, absolutely brilliant. Written in free verse, it follows the lives of three separate individuals that find one another through circumstance, with sixteen year old Billy being at the center of the story. It was incredibly emotional, powerful and passionate. Not only does the storyline told in verse make The Simple Gift unique, it adds to the beauty and emotion. I'm an instant fan of Steven Herrick, and The Simple Gift has left me lost for words.
Just immaculate.
The Simple Gift was simply that, absolutely brilliant. Written in free verse, it follows the lives of three separate individuals that find one another through circumstance, with sixteen year old Billy being at the center of the story. It was incredibly emotional, powerful and passionate. Not only does the storyline told in verse make The Simple Gift unique, it adds to the beauty and emotion. I'm an instant fan of Steven Herrick, and The Simple Gift has left me lost for words.
Just immaculate.
July 14, 2016
Billy Luckett hat die Nase voll vom Leben mit einem Alkoholiker als Vater und haut einfach ab aus einem Kaff im hintersten Winkel Australiens. Der Junge, einer der drei Icherzähler der Geschichte, will in Richtung Westen trampen, fort vom sichtbaren Verfall eines Viertels, in dem für immer liegen bleibt, was einmal kaputt gegangen ist. Billy ist im Herzen vermutlich Anarchist; denn er will nicht denen vertrauen, die die Regeln machen. Für dieses Ziel lässt der 16-Jährige sogar seinen Hund Bunkbrain zurück.
Der Junge war schon immer wissbegierig, lieh, las und stahl Bücher in beeindruckender Zahl. Billy landet in einem Depot ausrangierter Züge und übernachtet fortan in einem Eisenbahnwagen. Bunkbrain war einmal ein bedeutender Eisenbahnknotenpunkt, der heute nicht mehr benötigt wird. Old Bill, ein älterer Obdachloser, hat sich dort in einem einfachen, aber peinlich genau organisierten Leben eingerichtet. Caitlin, die ebenfalls in der Ichform erzählt, arbeitet als Putzfrau bei MacDonalds und beobachtet Billy, wie er nicht gegessene Reste von den Tabletts der Kunden klaut. Caitlin müsste nicht arbeiten, sie stammt aus Verhältnissen, in denen Eltern Privatschulen finanzieren und ein anschließendes Studium zum Standard gehört. Sauber, reich und hochnäsig, Billy sieht sofort, woran er mit Caitlin ist. Beide Jugendliche sind sehr gute Beobachter, es macht Freude, ihren Beschreibungen zu folgen. Der dritte Icherzähler, Old Bill, lebt als Obdachloser, nachdem er durch den Tod von Frau und Tochter förmlich aus dieser Welt gefallen ist. Bill nimmt sich des Jungen an, will ihm einen Weg zurück in Schulbildung oder Arbeit zeigen. Doch beide Bills brauchen zu wenig für das von ihnen gewählte Leben, um einen Job zu benötigen. Erstaunlich, mit welch sicherem Urteil gerade Caitlin den Zusammenhang zwischen Wollen, Konsum und Überfluss erkennen kann. Im Vergleich mit Bill erkennt sie, dass sie bisher ein sorgenfreies Leben lebte, aber längst nicht erwachsen ist. Die Begegnung mit Caitlin ist für Billy Auslöser erstaunlicher Entwicklungen.
In auf die Gedichtform reduzierter, klarer und schnörkelloser Sprache erzählt Steven Herrick die Geschichte zweier Ausreißer, die aus unterschiedlichen Motiven aus der bürgerlichen Ordnung fallen. In wenigen Worten wird so deutlich, wie wenig ein Mensch zum Leben braucht und wie wir reagieren, wenn jemand von unseren Vorstellungen abweicht. Alternative Lebensentwürfe und deren Vorgeschichte in einem äußerst knappen Text verpackt, stellen hier in berührender Weise liebgewonnene Sichtweisen infrage. Weniger gefallen hat mir die aus dem Hut gezaubert wirkende Auflösung der Geschichte. Auch wenn Nischen für Unangepasste wünschenswert sind, gibt es sie im Leben nicht volljähriger Jugendlicher selten.
Der Junge war schon immer wissbegierig, lieh, las und stahl Bücher in beeindruckender Zahl. Billy landet in einem Depot ausrangierter Züge und übernachtet fortan in einem Eisenbahnwagen. Bunkbrain war einmal ein bedeutender Eisenbahnknotenpunkt, der heute nicht mehr benötigt wird. Old Bill, ein älterer Obdachloser, hat sich dort in einem einfachen, aber peinlich genau organisierten Leben eingerichtet. Caitlin, die ebenfalls in der Ichform erzählt, arbeitet als Putzfrau bei MacDonalds und beobachtet Billy, wie er nicht gegessene Reste von den Tabletts der Kunden klaut. Caitlin müsste nicht arbeiten, sie stammt aus Verhältnissen, in denen Eltern Privatschulen finanzieren und ein anschließendes Studium zum Standard gehört. Sauber, reich und hochnäsig, Billy sieht sofort, woran er mit Caitlin ist. Beide Jugendliche sind sehr gute Beobachter, es macht Freude, ihren Beschreibungen zu folgen. Der dritte Icherzähler, Old Bill, lebt als Obdachloser, nachdem er durch den Tod von Frau und Tochter förmlich aus dieser Welt gefallen ist. Bill nimmt sich des Jungen an, will ihm einen Weg zurück in Schulbildung oder Arbeit zeigen. Doch beide Bills brauchen zu wenig für das von ihnen gewählte Leben, um einen Job zu benötigen. Erstaunlich, mit welch sicherem Urteil gerade Caitlin den Zusammenhang zwischen Wollen, Konsum und Überfluss erkennen kann. Im Vergleich mit Bill erkennt sie, dass sie bisher ein sorgenfreies Leben lebte, aber längst nicht erwachsen ist. Die Begegnung mit Caitlin ist für Billy Auslöser erstaunlicher Entwicklungen.
In auf die Gedichtform reduzierter, klarer und schnörkelloser Sprache erzählt Steven Herrick die Geschichte zweier Ausreißer, die aus unterschiedlichen Motiven aus der bürgerlichen Ordnung fallen. In wenigen Worten wird so deutlich, wie wenig ein Mensch zum Leben braucht und wie wir reagieren, wenn jemand von unseren Vorstellungen abweicht. Alternative Lebensentwürfe und deren Vorgeschichte in einem äußerst knappen Text verpackt, stellen hier in berührender Weise liebgewonnene Sichtweisen infrage. Weniger gefallen hat mir die aus dem Hut gezaubert wirkende Auflösung der Geschichte. Auch wenn Nischen für Unangepasste wünschenswert sind, gibt es sie im Leben nicht volljähriger Jugendlicher selten.
November 28, 2025
2024: new year, new Yr 10s, same book. A solid 4 stars this time I think. A nicer class makes a difference ehe.
2023: 3.5 stars. Keeping in mind that I believe this is a YA book, it's quite sweet but a bit repetitive. Some of my year 10s liked it though. Winnin'
2023: 3.5 stars. Keeping in mind that I believe this is a YA book, it's quite sweet but a bit repetitive. Some of my year 10s liked it though. Winnin'
September 1, 2021
my teacher gave me this book to read and i actually enjoyed it. made me tear up a little but the ending was worth it and the way it was written was so beautiful
Read
March 3, 2024thx school 😻😻😻
August 5, 2016
Inhalt: Und wie ich mich abmühte, selbstsicher zu erscheinen. Und er antwortete: Ja, toll. Und ich sagte auch: Toll. Und danach machte ich mich wieder ans Wischen und versuchte zu wirken, als wenn nichts passiert wär, obwohl wir beide wussten, es war was passiert. Eine poetische Geschichte vom und zum Verlieben, übersetzt von Uwe-Michael Gutzschhahn. (Quelle: Verlag)
Meine Meinung: Mit Wir beide wussten, es war was passiert habe ich, ohne es zu wissen, zu einem ganz besonderen Buch gegriffen. Das ziemlich kurze Buch ist in Versen verfasst und somit noch ein wenig kürzer und damit eigentlich sehr schön an einem Abend zu lesen. Zuerst störte mich das Versmaß sehr denn es hat mich immer und immer wieder aus dem Lesen herausgebracht. Nach einer Weile hat man sich aber daran gewöhnt, es ging leichter und irgendwie muss ich letztendlich sagen, dass es die Geschichte umso schöner macht. Poetischer irgendwie.
Die Geschichte beginnt zugegebener Maßen ziemlich merkwürdig. Der 16-jährige Billy haut von zu Hause ab und flieht somit vor seinem alkoholabhängigen Vater. Er landet in der Kleinstadt Bendarat und lernt dort den Obdachlosen Old Bill kennen, der für ihn eine Art Vaterfigur wird und Caitlin, eine Tochter aus reichem Haus, die bei McDonalds jobbt. Die beiden verlieben sich und die ganze Geschichte entwickelt sich zu einem positiven Ende, dem aber einiges im Weg steht. Eine wundervolle Geschichte, die sehr zum Nachdenken anregt und gerade durch die poetische Form und den außergewöhnlichen Aufbau. Durch dieses Gesamtpaket wird sie auch wertvoll und trägt sehr viel in sich, was man gar nicht so in Worte fassen kann.
Dennoch habe ich auch einen kleinen Kritikpunkt. Was durch die Form des Romans definitiv wegfällt, dass ist Nähe. Nähe zu den Protagonisten, Nähe zu den Schicksalen, Nähe zu der Geschichte und ihrer Entwicklung. Wir betrachten alles aus der Ferne, aus einer Art Vogelperspektive und können nicht so wirklich Zugang finden.
Fazit: Wir wussten beide, es war was passiert wird mir noch lange im Gedächtnis bleiben. Die besondere Form und die ungewöhnliche Story passen perfekt zusammen und lassen noch lange über das Buch nachdenken. Was damit jedoch auch einhergeht ist eine gewisse Distanz zu den Charakteren und ihren Schicksälen, was ich ein wenig schade fand.
Vielen Dank an den Thienemann Verlag, der mir ein digitales *Rezensionsexemplar über Netgalley zur Verfügung gestellt hat.
Meine Meinung: Mit Wir beide wussten, es war was passiert habe ich, ohne es zu wissen, zu einem ganz besonderen Buch gegriffen. Das ziemlich kurze Buch ist in Versen verfasst und somit noch ein wenig kürzer und damit eigentlich sehr schön an einem Abend zu lesen. Zuerst störte mich das Versmaß sehr denn es hat mich immer und immer wieder aus dem Lesen herausgebracht. Nach einer Weile hat man sich aber daran gewöhnt, es ging leichter und irgendwie muss ich letztendlich sagen, dass es die Geschichte umso schöner macht. Poetischer irgendwie.
Die Geschichte beginnt zugegebener Maßen ziemlich merkwürdig. Der 16-jährige Billy haut von zu Hause ab und flieht somit vor seinem alkoholabhängigen Vater. Er landet in der Kleinstadt Bendarat und lernt dort den Obdachlosen Old Bill kennen, der für ihn eine Art Vaterfigur wird und Caitlin, eine Tochter aus reichem Haus, die bei McDonalds jobbt. Die beiden verlieben sich und die ganze Geschichte entwickelt sich zu einem positiven Ende, dem aber einiges im Weg steht. Eine wundervolle Geschichte, die sehr zum Nachdenken anregt und gerade durch die poetische Form und den außergewöhnlichen Aufbau. Durch dieses Gesamtpaket wird sie auch wertvoll und trägt sehr viel in sich, was man gar nicht so in Worte fassen kann.
Dennoch habe ich auch einen kleinen Kritikpunkt. Was durch die Form des Romans definitiv wegfällt, dass ist Nähe. Nähe zu den Protagonisten, Nähe zu den Schicksalen, Nähe zu der Geschichte und ihrer Entwicklung. Wir betrachten alles aus der Ferne, aus einer Art Vogelperspektive und können nicht so wirklich Zugang finden.
Fazit: Wir wussten beide, es war was passiert wird mir noch lange im Gedächtnis bleiben. Die besondere Form und die ungewöhnliche Story passen perfekt zusammen und lassen noch lange über das Buch nachdenken. Was damit jedoch auch einhergeht ist eine gewisse Distanz zu den Charakteren und ihren Schicksälen, was ich ein wenig schade fand.
Vielen Dank an den Thienemann Verlag, der mir ein digitales *Rezensionsexemplar über Netgalley zur Verfügung gestellt hat.
April 20, 2022
Great little pallet cleanser. Easy to read and follow.
August 6, 2022
quick,easy book for school😍
September 21, 2023
It’s a beautiful little story full of heart with an original style. A nice bit of escapism for the 2.5 hours the audiobook lasts for.
October 5, 2023
A story of love, acts of kindness, and redemption all written in verse. Beautiful.
December 10, 2023
This was a fast paced read that on the whole I enjoyed. The Simple Gift is comprised of many very short chapters from three POVs: sixteen-year-old Billy, Old Bill and Caitlin, taking place over no more than three months I’d say. It starts with Billy running away from an abusive home life where he arrives in the small Australian town of Bendarat, spending time reading at the local library and eating leftovers at the McDonald’s. Billy soon finds friendship with the fellow homeless man Old Bill who’s harbouring secrets and past shame and a romance begins to blossom with Caitlin who works at the McDonald’s. There isn’t that much big that happens but Herrick’s tale is focused on the small things and there’s lots of messages and takeaways from the book. A lot are to do with how we view ourselves and others, what really matters and have value in life (hint: money ain’t all that), and more too.
This wasn’t a favour read but I’d still recommend it, it’s got good messages and on the whole was a decent book. I listened to this as an audiobook but maybe I’d have preferred to have read it physically - possibly I’ll do that if I give it a re-read.
This wasn’t a favour read but I’d still recommend it, it’s got good messages and on the whole was a decent book. I listened to this as an audiobook but maybe I’d have preferred to have read it physically - possibly I’ll do that if I give it a re-read.
June 10, 2025
I had to read this book for English. It was pretty good, it tackled some tough issues such as being drunk, homelessness and a few others. Some of the topics in this book are not appropriate for the school (in my opinion), and I am VERY glad we didn't have to read some of it out loud in class. I also liked that the whole book was written in poems, and every few poems had a different POV.
Some of my favourite quotes:
'with Caitlin at the centre, / and me / a badly dressed satellite / spinning crazily in her orbit.'
'I'm not proud. / I'm leaving. '
'I'll miss you dog.'
Some of my favourite quotes:
'with Caitlin at the centre, / and me / a badly dressed satellite / spinning crazily in her orbit.'
'I'm not proud. / I'm leaving. '
'I'll miss you dog.'
April 24, 2022
I read this book for school, and I honestly enjoyed it!!
I annotated it and had a great time reading it. It was really easy to read, as it was told in narrative poetry. Old Bill was absolutely my favourite character. I think he had another level of depth with his flaws and grief that Billy and Caitlin didn’t have. Overall I liked the book, and it was a bit different to what I usually read but think that’s gonna get me out of the reading slump I’ve been in. :)
I annotated it and had a great time reading it. It was really easy to read, as it was told in narrative poetry. Old Bill was absolutely my favourite character. I think he had another level of depth with his flaws and grief that Billy and Caitlin didn’t have. Overall I liked the book, and it was a bit different to what I usually read but think that’s gonna get me out of the reading slump I’ve been in. :)
August 1, 2022
Ich habe das Buch vorhin abgefangen und es jetzt zu Ende gelesen. Ich finde es so unglaublich gut. Das Buch hat mich sehr berührt und es hat wirklich viel Spaß gemacht es zu lesen. Eigentlich ist es ein wirklich einfaches Buch und ich habe nicht erwartet das es mich so berührt. Auch das es aus drei Sichten geschrieben ist finde ich voll gut. ,,Wir beide wussten, es war etwas passiert‘‘ kann ich nur weiter empfehlen.
November 5, 2024
4.5 ⭐
Written in verse The Simple Gift is a beautiful story dealing with issues such as alcoholism, grief, love, friendship and family.
A small but powerful story featuring the POV of Billy, old Bill and Caitlin.
Straight- forward and thoughtful story.
Loved that Billy loved books and visited the library despite his hardships.
Great writing style which made me feel part of the story.
Would recommend 💕
Written in verse The Simple Gift is a beautiful story dealing with issues such as alcoholism, grief, love, friendship and family.
A small but powerful story featuring the POV of Billy, old Bill and Caitlin.
Straight- forward and thoughtful story.
Loved that Billy loved books and visited the library despite his hardships.
Great writing style which made me feel part of the story.
Would recommend 💕
Read
April 26, 2017So this was my first time reading this book and I found I have never read one of his books, this was an interesting book but that doesn't mean that it is good in my opinion. this book definitely wasn't for me. it was a bit depressing reading about old bill, and that put me off a bit.
I would highly recommend this book if you like heartwarming and sad books.
I would highly recommend this book if you like heartwarming and sad books.
April 21, 2020
One of my favourite free verse novels of all time. Love Steven Herrick's gritty and honest prose and love the throughlines of hope, friendship and the true meaning of family. A quick read but one you won't forget.
November 11, 2024
thoroughly enjoyed
easy but pretty read
each poem captured the diction of all three characters.
“but my Jessie,
my sweet lovely Jessie,
fell
and I fell with her
and I've been falling
ever since.
And this pub,
this beer, these clothes,
this is where I landed.”
ouch.
easy but pretty read
each poem captured the diction of all three characters.
“but my Jessie,
my sweet lovely Jessie,
fell
and I fell with her
and I've been falling
ever since.
And this pub,
this beer, these clothes,
this is where I landed.”
ouch.
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