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Marcelo in the Real World

by Francisco X. Stork (Goodreads Author)

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in October 2010

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Carol said: " Marcelo in the real world” written by Francisco X. Stork is a fantastic story really. And the love for this book will be stronger as you read longer and more deeply. This novel is a litter different from another novels I read before. Because the mai Marcelo in the real world” written by Francisco X. Stork is a fantastic story really. And the love for this book will be stronger as you read longer and more deeply. This novel is a litter different from another novels I read before. Because the main character is a abnormal person who has high function form of autism. And using first-person narrator way can let reader have more understanding of the inner world in Marcelo’s mind, through his words and thought. And this book also help me to get more idea about how people with autism thinking .
Marcelo Sandova is a 17-year-old boy with an Asperger-like. He hears private “music” in his mind and has struggles with communicating. He attends a special school that is for abnormal children instead of public school. So his life is mostly separate from “ real world”. However his father wants to change his life, he wants Marcelo to work in his law firm and experience with more people in "real world". And if Marcelo wants to attend the special school again, he needs to work well in the law firm. Then Marcelo starts dealing with "real world" .
Marcelo is the person I like most in the story. He is a lovable and smart young boy, although he has autism. He keeps a heart of a child truly, due to the long time he lives separate from the “real world”.In other words, his mind is never polluted by the real world.How pure his heart is ! So when I read the plot Marcelo’ father require him to work on the law firm, I feel afraid that his heart will be destroyed by these “real” person and “real” world that he never experiences before. However, fortunately his performances well and learn many things from working .He knows how to associate with people , how to deal with more situations. For example, he learns to classify the different document for law case, and how to remember the routines and so on. He integrates into “real world “gradually rather than is beaten by social. As the plots develop ,we can see the growth of Marcelo gradually. However, there are still something happens hurt his mind. Marcelo feels sad and upset to find that his father is cool-hearted to against lawsuit from a girl whose face is destroyed by windfield for money and he does bad things to Marcelo’s best friends. And he finds that he is used by his friend. These bad things in the “real world” hurts Marcelo really. But you will happy to find that he never let these bad things pollute his mind and he still keep a virtuous and pure heart, although he understand the "real world" and see the face of "real world" gradually. this point makes me love Marcelo more and feel this book bear watching.
The plots of this novel are another thing like. The plots have a good organization and are easy to follow.The narrative way is simple and steady but doesn’t leak some interesting , sparky pots. There are some nervous plots will draw you attention. And our mood will change as the plots develope.For example, when we read the plot that Marcelo is looking the letter to find the bad thing between his father and his best friend, we will feel nevours and curious to guess what will happen next and feel sad about Marcelo.
However, there is still one thing I want to critique in the novel is characters work in the law firm . One of worst guy i don't like is Wendell who is so mean , because he acts as a friend of Marcelo ,but actually he wants to use Marcelo to close a girl and do bad thing to her . And then he tell many bad things to Marcelo about Marcelo's family without considering Marcelo’s feeling .And he leave Marcelo in the street without thinking that Marcelo can remember the road, because Marcelo doesn't agree his requiremen . And there are many people working in law firm has stange characters .these characters also cut my interest of this book a little.
To sum up , It's really a good book worth reading. We can see the true face of the "real world" from the view of Marcelo who has a high function form of autism in the novel. It will be a experience to read this book. ...more "

Oct 28, 2010 10:35AM · see review