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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker,
A Kid's Review
This review is from: The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker (Paperback)
I really enjoyed reading "The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker". The story is based upon actual evidence that was discovered in 1990 about a cure for the consumption or, as it is known today, TB. This "cure" was practiced in the ninteenth century and included digging up victims of the consumption who were supposedly "undead". I found it fascinating to learn that people actually believed in this type of cure. We can see today how far we have come in the practice of modern medicine. The main character, Lucas Whitaker, becomes apprenticed to a country doctor after his family dies of the consumption. Feeling guilty because he could not save his mother, Lucas tries to help others by using the cure that he learns about from a neighbor. The doctor does not believe in the cure and tries to help Lucas see the truth. Lucas' journey from belief in superstition to scientific reasoning is the main theme of the book. I believe that middle school students would enjoy the story for its macabre theme and for the fascinating look into the life of a nineteenth century doctor. The inclusion of bodies, amputations,and a tooth drawing give the story a grisly touch that young readers will enjoy.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Very Good,
By The novel, as has already been summarized in other reviews, is the story of a young man whose family is decimated by tuberculosis. In the mid 1800's this disease was often referred to as consumption and it had a superstitious and deadly aura about it. We follow young Lucas in his travels both in distance and experience. The story is more about the awareness of young Lucas and his understanding of science and logic in overcoming fear and superstition. It is a good book but one that fails to ignite a blaze. There is definitely an ember of excitement but it never takes the next step. To me the book seems to be written in a style that attempts to make it contemporary to the story. As if the author was of this time or close to it. In this sense I think the author succeeds. My view of the novel is that it is a pretty good read. Its ability to be read again is suspect in my mind and I doubt I will do so. I think the other reviewer misses the point by focusing on the odd bit of historical mysticism. The book is about Lucas and his growth not the oddities that surround him.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Very Good But Audio Helps,
By
This review is from: The apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker (Audio Cassette)
This is a very strange novel to review. There is much to love and not much to hate about the book but yet as a total of its parts I am not sure the novel fully accomplishes what it set out to do.The novel, as has already been summarized in other reviews, is the story of a young man whose family is decimated by tuberculosis. In the mid 1800's this disease was often referred to as consumption and it had a superstitious and deadly aura about it. We follow young Lucas in his travels both in distance and experience. The story is more about the awareness of young Lucas and his understanding of science and logic in overcoming fear and superstition. It is a good book but one that fails to ignite a blaze. There is definitely an ember of excitement but it never takes the next step. To me the book seems to be written in a style that attempts to make it contemporary to the story. As if the author was of this time or close to it. In this sense I think the author succeeds. My view of the novel is that it is a pretty good read. Its ability to be read again is suspect in my mind and I doubt I will do so. The audio version is actually very well done and makes this a 4 star listen versus a 3 star read. Nice work by Recorded Books.
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