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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Chilling, May 11, 2003
This review is from: After (Hardcover)
Although the writing style of this book is a bit mundane and blunt, the story itself sent chills up my spine - and that doesn't happen often to me. The basic premise of the book is that, in the wake of Columbine and similar school disasters, school security is beefed up and students are subjected to new rules and regulations. Some of these regulations seem reasonable, but some, from the outset, seem odd. People are so nervous about violence in schools, though, that they seem to be willing to give up little things for the larger goal, supposedly better security at the school. Even though the kids are wary and nervous about what is happening, the changes are relentless and escalate. Some classic methods of manipulation and intimidation are used and, in spite of the students' sense that this is wrong, everyone seems reluctant to challenge them and their parents seem to be all too willing to go along. This is a compelling book - chilling and creepy. It is also a relevant book, especially in the wake of all the new regulations for flying and airport security. But the book is also flawed. The writing style, as mentioned in the official review is prosaic and simplistic. And the motive behind the new regulations is puzzling. It is reasonable to expect that in the course of implementing new security safeguards that some people will get carried away with them and become too rigid and too enamored of the power to determine other people's lives. But, in this case, the primary mover behind the regulations is evil from the start. And, other than blind hate, we never know why. The ending of the book, is, as mentioned by others, not completely satisfying. There is some resolution to various of the subplots - confidence in Dad, relationship to Dad's girl friend, relationship to friends. But too much is left hanging. Is the author holding out for a sequel? Still, it is a good read. I read the whole thing in one day, practically in one sitting. It is unusual to find a page-turner like that. P.S. The book is similar in tone to The Children's Story by James Clavell. This one is a bit more current, but Clavell's story is certainly a classic of this genre.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
My Review of "After" (Warning: POSSIBLE SPOILERS), January 30, 2005
Okay, first here's the plot: A Columbine-like incident happens 50 miles away from the hometown of a teenage boy, Tom, whose perspective we follow. It seems to shock everyone, and just when the local school's students begin to calm down, a "greif and crisis counselor" is appointed. The counselor, Dr. Willner, seems to be a little psychopathic when he starts setting strange laws and rules, for example, no wearing the colour red, and no hats of any kind. At first, no-one pays too much attention, but when a young girl breaks a simple rule, she seems to suddenly disappear. At first, we're told that she's moved away. However, Tom and his friends, Silas, Avery, and Brian are suspicious. Then, emails are sent out to all of the parents citing new laws, of which most of the students are unimformed about. The laws become stranger and stranger, and the punishments become stricter, until a law-breaking student is sent to a sort of detention camp, which we know nothing about. More students are whisked away, and never heard from again. I wont give away the whole plot, but many dark things pop up, like implied murder and concentration camps.
Now, the review: I can't complain about the writing, which I think was fine for my age level (I'm 13). The plot was fine until about two thirds of the way through, but after that it starts to drop, and to get a little boring. And the ending -- unless there will be a sequel -- is dreadful. It was as if the writer just came to a dead end and took the easy way out, leaving us confused; what happened to those who got whisked away? Why did all this happen? How could emails brainwash people? What's happening in other countries? How come the government wasn't doing anything? I could go on. However, if a sequel is in the works, this book could definitely be saved, if it began where this one left off. Most of the aspects, however, were good; I always prefer a first-person perspective, and I liked how the story was nice and straightforward.
In conclusion, this book would be good for any twelve-to-fifteen-year-old who is looking for something interesting and slightly suspenseful to read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Excellent, May 9, 2006
At Pleasant Valley High there was a shooting, a couple of loner kids killed the jocks and a few teachers, and then shot themselves, and now Central High is facing the consequences... New restrictions are being implemented without warning by their grief and crisis counselor and all you have to do is break one rule and you're sent away and never seen again. "After" is told by Tom, the 15 yr old `smart jock' whose friends are some of the first to be sent away. I thought "After" was a very good book, especially if you're one for conspiracy theories. It's especially fun to read `cause when you really think about it, it could happed at you're school too. I really enjoyed the mystery of the whole book, how you only knew what Tom was thinking but you never knew if what he was thinking was true or not. My only criticism is the ending. I don't think it was very realistic, too much happily ever after, but don't let that discourage you from reading "After" because it's just excellent up until the last chapter.
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