- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's (4 Feb 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 184738823X
- ISBN-13: 978-1847388230
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 576,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Ever since Tin can remember he's wanted to be an elephant trainer. At twelve years old, he's the youngest - and in his eyes the best - elephant handler in his village. Tin can think of nothing he'd rather do that spend all day with his elephant, Lady, looking after her and playing together. But Tin's peaceful, idyllic life is changed dramatically when the Viet Cong attack his village and he finds himself held hostage by the terrifying soldiers who don't care if he lives or dies. Can Tin find the courage to escape from his captors and save not only his own life, but his precious elephants too?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
A Million Shades of Grey is a million miles away from the type of books I usually pick up. Set during the Vietnam War, it's the coming of age story of a young boy from the Rhade tribe who also happens to be an elephant handler. I wasn't initially blown away by the premise but I was mildly intrigued by the prospect of reading about a life so different from my own. I'm British, and the Vietnam War is something that I've only really encountered in American movies or seen alluded to in reruns of The Wonder Years. Reading A Million Shades of Grey is the first time I've gotten to know a Vietnamese protagonist and seen how this war might have felt from the point of view of those who lived through it on their own soil.
Y'Tin's story starts slowly, as Kadohata gently introduces us to the boy's life, his family, and the way that they live. She gives us moving insights into how the presence of the US military affected the lives of the Rhade; the trust that Y'Tin's family have for the Americans, the bravery that his father shows in assisting on their missions, and the way that US slang creeps into Y'Tin's own speech. We also learn about Y'Tin's love for the village's elephants, and his determination to become an elephant handler. It's slow going in places, but this is the calm before the storm.
Though the novel starts slowly, it really packs a punch in its portrayal of the shattering of this tenuous safety; when the narrative shifts forward in time to what happens after the US military pull out of Vietnam and Y'Tin's village are left to face the Viet Cong alone. When the village is taken in an enemy attack, the Rhade men are taken captive and forced to dig a great pit in the village graveyard. Y'Tin realises what this means, and manages to flee with his best friend into the jungle, where he is reunited with his precious elephant, Lady, and embarks on a journey that sees him making heartbreaking decisions and ultimately becoming a man. It's a story of what it takes to survive, to love unconditionally, and to forgive.
In the UK this book is aimed at readers aged ten and upwards, and I think that A Million Shades of Grey has the potential to touch readers of all ages. Though readers much younger than ten might not be ready for the vocabulary and the themes of war, beyond that it's the type of book that defies age categorisation. The language is elegant, and Kadohata has incoporated the kind of unobtrusive symbolism that you can ponder as much or as little as you wish. Although set in such a different time and place from most of our own lives, Y'Tin's journey is a universal one. This story is moving, thought-provoking, and beautifully told.
Y'Tin's story starts slowly, as Kadohata gently introduces us to the boy's life, his family, and the way that they live. She gives us moving insights into how the presence of the US military affected the lives of the Rhade; the trust that Y'Tin's family have for the Americans, the bravery that his father shows in assisting on their missions, and the way that US slang creeps into Y'Tin's own speech. We also learn about Y'Tin's love for the village's elephants, and his determination to become an elephant handler. It's slow going in places, but this is the calm before the storm.
Though the novel starts slowly, it really packs a punch in its portrayal of the shattering of this tenuous safety; when the narrative shifts forward in time to what happens after the US military pull out of Vietnam and Y'Tin's village are left to face the Viet Cong alone. When the village is taken in an enemy attack, the Rhade men are taken captive and forced to dig a great pit in the village graveyard. Y'Tin realises what this means, and manages to flee with his best friend into the jungle, where he is reunited with his precious elephant, Lady, and embarks on a journey that sees him making heartbreaking decisions and ultimately becoming a man. It's a story of what it takes to survive, to love unconditionally, and to forgive.
In the UK this book is aimed at readers aged ten and upwards, and I think that A Million Shades of Grey has the potential to touch readers of all ages. Though readers much younger than ten might not be ready for the vocabulary and the themes of war, beyond that it's the type of book that defies age categorisation. The language is elegant, and Kadohata has incoporated the kind of unobtrusive symbolism that you can ponder as much or as little as you wish. Although set in such a different time and place from most of our own lives, Y'Tin's journey is a universal one. This story is moving, thought-provoking, and beautifully told.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Before reading A Million Shades of Grey, I didn't really know a lot about the Vietnam War. I didn't know the politics or reasoning behind it, or the extent of the horrors that people experienced. Kadohata ended up giving me a history lesson of sorts, and for that reason alone, I'm glad I read this book.
Y'Tin's tale is one of bravery and hope, and is as much a coming of age story as it is an adventure. Nothing makes a boy grow up like being in the middle of a war and, as horrific as it is, the whole experience undoubtedly makes Y'Tin become a man. His beloved elephant, Lady, is an important part of his life, and is a constant companion to him and his family. Their bond is strong and unwavering, and is the kind that you enviously read about or see depicted in films. I never knew elephants could be so close to humans, which again just shows how much I know about this way of life.
The pace of this book is quite slow and steady, with a lot of character building and scene setting. I wanted it to speed up and get going, and make me unable to put it down. It didn't do that, but it did hold my interest plot-wise. I was fascinated by the conflict between North and South Vietnam, and by the differences in the various tribes. I also now know a lot more about elephants, like the fact that their teeth grind down and they grow more!
If you like your books with historical elements, strong characters and an animal that you'll fall in love with, I'd recommend A Million Shades of Grey. As well as being good for educational purposes, it's also a lesson in humanity, and what it means to survive.
Y'Tin's tale is one of bravery and hope, and is as much a coming of age story as it is an adventure. Nothing makes a boy grow up like being in the middle of a war and, as horrific as it is, the whole experience undoubtedly makes Y'Tin become a man. His beloved elephant, Lady, is an important part of his life, and is a constant companion to him and his family. Their bond is strong and unwavering, and is the kind that you enviously read about or see depicted in films. I never knew elephants could be so close to humans, which again just shows how much I know about this way of life.
The pace of this book is quite slow and steady, with a lot of character building and scene setting. I wanted it to speed up and get going, and make me unable to put it down. It didn't do that, but it did hold my interest plot-wise. I was fascinated by the conflict between North and South Vietnam, and by the differences in the various tribes. I also now know a lot more about elephants, like the fact that their teeth grind down and they grow more!
If you like your books with historical elements, strong characters and an animal that you'll fall in love with, I'd recommend A Million Shades of Grey. As well as being good for educational purposes, it's also a lesson in humanity, and what it means to survive.
This title was one that really struck an emotional chord as I love not only the principle character but the whole environment that was brought to life by Cynthia's wonderful story telling talent. Its descriptive, it has a realistic cast and unfurls at its own pace in such a way that it will remain long after the final page it turned. Partly this reminded me of the film The Dumbo Drop but above all it's a tale that's so finely woven it must win some awards. Get it before the hype does. You really won't be disappointed.
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