Customer Reviews

The Box Children

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sharon Wyse's literary debut is an impressive one. To write a coming-of-age novel like this, finding an absolutely perfect voice for her 11 year-old narrator, as well as treating her young character with the respect she deserves is quite an achievement. Too many authors attempt this type of novel and wind up being offensively patronizing toward the children they depict. Wyse's insights, sensitivity and skills allow her to avoid such pitfalls.

Set on a farm near a (very) small town in the Texas panhandle in the 1960s, the story is narrated by 11 year-old Lou Ann Campbell -- one of the most unforgettable, admirable characters the reader is likely to run across in contemporary fiction. She lives with her parents and her older brother -- and they're packing a lot of baggage. Her mother is decidedly -- and increasingly -- neurotic, taking out her frustrations with her philandering husband, her emotional damage caused by numerous miscarriages, and her feelings of being trapped in poverty out on her children, especially Lou Ann. Lou Ann's brother, with whom she has enjoyed a close sibling relationship, is maturing to the point where he sees his little sister as more of a liability than as asset -- and his sexual curiosity is making her increasingly uncomfortable as well. Lou Ann's father, despite being unfaithful to his wife, is not such an unlikable character. He doesn't understand his wife's emotional problems, and he too is frustrated with the family's economical stagnation, their dependence on his wife's parents (who own the land they farm) for stability.

Lou Ann is convinced that the five babies miscarried by her mother are with her -- she has a cardboard box and five tiny dolls to live in it, the 'box children' of the title. She plays with them daily, confides in and talks with them. These conversations, along with the outlet of her secret diary (which makes up the novel) are the outlets that allow her to get through the events of the book, to find some meaning in her life, and to strengthen her determination to be strong and live her life as she sees fit.

The novel is moving, well-written and compelling -- I had to pace myself, allowing myself to savor it, rather than rush through it. It's a reading experience I thoroughly enjoyed, and one I will never forget -- and one I can most highly recommend.

Other great coming-of-age novels I've read in the past couple of years -- all of which I can recommend just as highly -- include THE ABSENCE OF NECTAR by Kathy Hepinstall, SHADOW BABY by Alison McGhee, and THIS IS GRACEANNE'S BOOK by P.L.WHITNEY.

Read on...

As a voracious reader, and a writer, I am rarely so impressed. Sharon Wyse's heroine speaks with a wholly original, and heartbreakingly true, voice; I simply cannot get it out of my head -- I want to personally, and permanently, rescue this child. On a literary level, the book is pure and brilliantly wrought. On an emotional one, it burrows to the deepest places -- taking the reader inside the mind and heart of an unforgettable young heroine, and what looks like an impossible-to-survive place, but maybe (thrillingly) isn't. Extraordinary.

For such a small novel, the author packs an emotional punch with the character of eleven year old Lou Ann. To say Lou Ann's family is dysfunctional is an understatement; Daddy has a roving eye and Mama's laundry list of neuroses would fill the page. To cope with this intolerable home life, Lou Ann creates an imaginary world with "The Box Children", the unborn babies from her mother's many failed pregnancies. This novel speaks to the resiliant spirit of children from dysfunctional homes, and offers a somewhat hopeful future for our heroine. If you read this book you will think as I do, that Lou Ann was able to triumph over adversity and make her way in the world. 4.5 stars

I have been a lonely child. I have hungered for a connection to a parent that was too busy, too self- centered, too broken. I have known and loved imaginary playmates that were more real to me than the actual living, breathing world. I have been confused by the ways of grown ups to the point of desperation. Sharon Wyse has created a character that could've been me - or you - or her. Lou Ann's struggle to be seen and heard, to belong, to be cherished - is so utterly profound and immediate - that I still hear her voice in my head. Sharon Wyse lives up to her name - she gives us a little girl with a story that will echo in our hearts forever.

There is not much I can say about this book.....whatever I say will never do this book justice. It was a wonderfully written book that sends chills down my spine and will do so for a long time. It is a book to which many people can relate...
unfortunately. If Oprah still had her list, Ms. Wyse would be on the NY Times bestseller list for months....because this would be a pick, hands down. All I can say is "Thank you...Ms. Wyse."

THE BOX CHILDREN

Wow, I loved this book. It is short, it is sweet, it is a great story.

Our story is told in diary form -- love that concept! - by 11 year old Lou Ann. Lou Ann's story takes place in the early 60's in a small half-horse town in Texas.

She has a boat load to deal with -- her dad, is a drinking, womanizing, farmer who likes to "almost mess around" with Lou Ann. He is one NOT to be trusted.

Her mom is totally unstable, I figured this was due to the fact she suffered from five miscarriages, dealing with her husband, and working herself practically to death and still living in near poverty.

Lou Ann's view of life is more mature than any young girl I know, but she has paid her dues. Her family is a mess. The only person she can really relate to is her slightly older brother and their relationship is changing due to the fact they are growing up. What makes matters worse, is they are pretty isolated out on their wheat farm.

Lou Ann's parents make her life crazed. Lou Ann is more mature than her parents. Things happen in their lives and Lou Ann tells it all fact for fact. Her diary is her outlet and she is a good writer. Her writings are smart, insightful, and funny. I especially liked how the author had Lou Ann misspell words which would be true for an 11 year old. Class!

One of the funniest passages in Lou Ann's diary regarding her mom reads: "I thought of her in hell. She would be running the place in no time." Good stuff, witty for sure!

Lou Ann triumphs over her dad's sexual advances towards her, along with his cheating on his wife and drinking and her mom's cruelty and being so unstable. Poor Lou Ann, she is a true hero!!!!

This is a short little book, but it is big on excellence. I HIGHLY recommend this book. You can whip through this in a day, but you will want to savor and enjoy and it reads much too quickly.

You will love this book! ENJOY!

Thank you!
Pam

This is one of those books you'll read in one sitting and then sit and reflect over.
The story is told in the form of 11-year-old Lou Ann's diary over a summer in the '60s. Her father, a womanizing drunk, her mother, arguably crazy, has suffered five miscarriages, represented by the "children", dolls Lou Ann keeps in a box and carries on conversations with. I was particularly touched by the way the author used the child's voice to portray adult situations happening to her... the innocent way she explained the adult things going on around her. There are several lines in the book that make you reread them, as you come to love and sympathize with Lou Ann. One in particular: "Mother said... she' make me wish I'd never been born. I think if I was going to wish that, I would have already." Another:"she tells me if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be alive. Now I can tell her the same."
Lou Ann grows into a woman over a summer. Her voice, as the narrator, changes from the beginning from a child, to, in the final chapters, a young woman who has experienced a lifetime of trials and overcome them. I highly recommend this book.

"The Box Children" is the diary of 11-year-old Lou Ann. Living on a farm in the early 1960s, Lou Ann's family is anything but normal. Her mother is decidedly unhinged, and heaps abuse on Lou Ann and her brother. Her mother has had numerous miscarriages, which figures prominently into Lou Ann's tale. Lou Ann's father is a womanizer whose hands will stray to Lou Ann if he's had too much to drink.

The family dysfunction forms Lou Ann's narrative and she grows from a naive little girl into a young woman. Truth and optimism flow from Lou Ann's journal, despite her circumstances.

This novel, or perhaps more closely a novella, read extremely fast. It was a very small book that was only 192 pages. Aside from its size, Lou Ann's voice made it nearly impossible to put down. She is trapped in a household of violence and insanity, yet her voice is full of hope. Full of innocence and faith, Lou Ann springs from the pages and holds her audience captive.

"The Box Children" is an engaging read that I would definitely recommend!

The Box Children is a very original book that clearly depicts the life, joys, and sufferings of an eleven year old girl living in a world where it's hard to see beyond the tall wheat grass.
Faced with an abusive parent and brother, Lou Ann turns to literally the only private and secluded corner of her life: her diary. As this prarie girl yearns to live life to the fullest and see the world, she must deal with problems (and tradgedies) for which family members try to blame her. Lou Ann must learn, the hard way, the truth about her mother. And truths about life.
While a little more advanced and difficult to read than it might seem, this book is extremely well-written and perfect on the "young adult" section of any bookshelf. The Box Children does a great job of showing a very different kind of life from some childrens' books today. Highly recommended.

I read this book in one night. Once I started, I just couldn't put it down. I loved the ending...not what I expected at all. Now I am just waiting for Sharon Wyse to come out with another book so I can read that!