- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (3 Jan 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007214456
- ISBN-13: 978-0007214457
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.2 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 848,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Finding Violet Park
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Product Description
Review
"Finding Violet Park is a wonderful debut for many reasons… the book is astute… full of bitter-sweet observations. The plot is so well controlled that you never anticipate the clever ending." Guardian Review
“Ultra-original and brilliantly written, this will have you laughing and crying, too." Mizz
"Clever and totally assured, it is hard to believe that this is a first novel from a new author… [an] ingenious novel from a writer who already has much to offer. *****" Nicholas Tucker, Books for Keeps
“Memorable and well-paced, this is a book to help young people grow in spite of adversity." Carousel
"This is terrific stuff and quite unlike anything else I've come across…. a powerful and compelling story… and manages to give every question, every problem, every doubt its right weight – no more, no less." Inis
“First-time author Jenny Valentine has an original and exciting voice." Writing Magazine
"Narrated by the most unique voice since 'Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, this is a quirky and original voyage of self-discovery… a terrific book." Gateway
"Profound, funny and beautifully written: I doubt I'll read a better teenage novel this year." Bournemouth Daily Echo
"A captivating novel… Hilarious and dramatic in turns." Liverpool Echo
"Prepare to be thrilled and chilled" School House magazine
Product Description
Narrated by the most compelling voice since Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, this is a quirky and original voyage of self-discovery triggered by a lost urn of ashes.
The mini cab office was up a cobbled mews with little flat houses either side. That's where I first met Violet Park, what was left of her. There was a healing centre next door, a pretty smart name for a place with a battered brown door and no proper door handle and stuck-on wooden numbers in the shape of clowns. The 3 of number 13 was a w stuck on sideways and I thought it was kind of sad and I liked it at the same time.
Sixteen-year-old Lucas Swain becomes intrigued by the urn of ashes left in a cab office. Convinced that its occupant – Violet Park – is communicating with him, he contrives to gain possession of the urn, little realising that his quest will take him on a voyage of self-discovery and identity, forcing him to finally confront what happened to his absent (and possibly dead) father…
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Teenager, Lucas is intrigued by the urn containing ashes of Violet Park that rests on a shelf in a taxi office and he is convinced that she is trying to communicate with him. He steals the urn and finding out more about her life becomes his obsession. Her secrets gradually become clear until he is surprised to discover her connection to his missing father.
As I read chapter one, I thought I was going to find it difficult to recommend this book as it had an amateur feel to it. However, either the unusual subject overcame most of my reservations or the writing greatly improved for I was soon as hooked by Violet Park as Lucas was. An unusual and enjoyable teen read.
As I read chapter one, I thought I was going to find it difficult to recommend this book as it had an amateur feel to it. However, either the unusual subject overcame most of my reservations or the writing greatly improved for I was soon as hooked by Violet Park as Lucas was. An unusual and enjoyable teen read.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'm not known as a prolific reader. I often lose interest, forget the plot or fall asleep. But when I started reading
'Finding Violet Park' that was it, I was fully engaged immediately, read it in almost one sitting (quick cup of tea, halfway through) and thought it was extraordinarily good. Jenny Valentine has created something truly
wonderful. The book is funny, moving and wise. The characters are very well observed and she gets inside
of the head of the main protagonist, a sixteen year old boy with effortless skill. The storyline doesn't slacken,
in fact it gains momentum before reaching it's satisfactory conclusion. I understand this is her first novel and
she should be congratulated for such an assured debut.
'Finding Violet Park' that was it, I was fully engaged immediately, read it in almost one sitting (quick cup of tea, halfway through) and thought it was extraordinarily good. Jenny Valentine has created something truly
wonderful. The book is funny, moving and wise. The characters are very well observed and she gets inside
of the head of the main protagonist, a sixteen year old boy with effortless skill. The storyline doesn't slacken,
in fact it gains momentum before reaching it's satisfactory conclusion. I understand this is her first novel and
she should be congratulated for such an assured debut.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A friend lent me this book, and first I found that I read it very fast, because the story was so compelling; then I read it slowly, taking time to savour the language...at times I laughed aloud. This bokk has the feel of a 'classic' - This is an extraordinary book - apparently meant for teenagers but having the same sort of broad appeal that, say Philip Pullman has (although not at all like). I felt a bit bereft when I'd finished it and I want MORE, NOW, so please Jenny Valentine write lots more books please ?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Weird
Totally implausible and weird. This is a first novel from Jenny Valentine told in first person. One night Lucas decides to take a taxi home rather than walk, and whilst waiting for... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Book chatter
jenny valentine
found this book to be in good condition and my son was well impressed. this is his favourite author even though he only eight. not read the book myself but he loved it
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by Mrs. E. Mathers
brill book
I've not had a book capture my interest and stay with me since childhood reads with the Narnia books and Tolkien.
This was a breath of fresh air. Read more
This was a breath of fresh air. Read more
Published on 30 April 2009 by spentout
Highly recommended
A massive congratulations to the author for such a clever piece of work. The only complaint I have about this book is that it was not long enough. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2008 by Roadrunner
Original but somehow not one I want to keep
This was an original and readable book but it left me feeling a bit disappointed. It describes how 16 year old Lucas gets interested in an urn of ashes which turn out to belong to... Read more
Published on 7 April 2007 by charles1832
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