Customer Reviews

Checkers

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a book is a book I will never forget. In fact, it is still something I think about everynight. How Marsden puts this young girls feelings and thoughts and all that good stuff into a book I would never be able to do. I have read it at least 3 times and I still can't put it down, even though I know every little thing that happens. The haunting ending to the story broke my heart. So anyone interested in this book, get it. I highly suggest it.

Told in first-person flashbacks and set in the mental hospital where the nameless protagonist recovers from a nervous breakdown, this story's message is: "The higher you climb, the harder you fall." Wealth and privilege cannot save your family from scandal, our protagonist learns, especially when your father is involved in dishonest business practices a la Enron.

The only honest relationship the girl has is with her mongrel dog, Checkers. She seeks comfort in his company as the media circles like vultures around her house, looking for a way to connect the girl's father to the stock market scandal that's brewing. She would never have thought that the connection they were looking for was sleeping on the rug in front of her fire.

I really liked this novel, and would have loved it if it wasn't about the fortieth book I've read that's set in a mental hospital. Mental hospitals have become way too clichéd in young adult literature. Other than that, though, it was a terrific story.

A Review by Robin

An Australian teenage girl lived with her mom, dad and brother in a beautiful home in the suburbs; and she had a dog named Checkers. She suffers from depression and she now lives in a mental hospital. She never had many friends, at school or at the hospital. She and several other teenagers attend a daily meeting called group. She has never said anything in group because she is afraid of what people will think of her. One day, she just couldn't handle it anymore. She had to tell somebody. This is her story of how she got there.

I like how this book tells a story about a teenager's life experiences. I can relate to them, such as depression and social issues. This story is suspenseful. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. You just want to keep reading. The author doesn't give away the story of how she got in the hospital until the very end. You can easily follow the book with big font and easy to read words. And if you have any troubles with some "aussie" words, there's a glossary in the front of the book to tell you what they are and what they mean. But the characters were realistic, and seemed alive. They're just like people you would meet in an everyday encounter acquaintance. They were believable.

I would recommend this book to people who like stories about real life conflicts and experiences. It would satisfy your needs if you are the type of person who likes to read other people's diaries or journals. I would especially recommend it to any teenagers who think they have it rough or bad. You think you know, but you have no idea.

Though the book seems to have many flaws at first, once you read in to it all, it makes sense.
The story is of a girl whose family is being corrupted by the media, especially her father. Stories in the paper start to bother the girl, and her interest shoots up.
But among this all, is her "darling dog Checkers", a most important figure in the plot development.
While telling the story, the girl is in a Psychiatric Ward. She tells of the others there, and describes the events as if she were writing in a journal.
I high suggest this book to EVERYONE.
John Marsden did an excellent job with this book, an EXCELLENT read.

Chekers tells the story of a wealthy Australian teenage girl. Although her personality and story and well-defined, her name is never given. Told through memories and flashbacks, the story illustrates the girl's plummet from the utmost joy, like getting a puppy checkers and living in a lush home, to her arrival in the phsyc ward that she is currently living in. Told as any true aussie teen would, the story is in fact realistic and chilling. John Marsden carefully reveals that even a wealthy business family can be torn apart by corruption.

Checkers is one of those books you are drawn into and simply can't forget. Encompassing political corruption, dishonesty, and the eventual collapse of a family, it's simply amazing. It's not a light read, but then again, none of Marsden's work is. The nameless young woman who tells her story from a psychiatric hospital will move you- she's so real it's like you feel as though she's a friend of yours by the time you've finished the book. Although I'm no longer considered a "young adult", I adore everything John Marsden has written, but Checkers is something particularly moving. Even from the start of this novel you'll possibly be moved to tears- coming from someone who hardly cries at anything, it's hard to believe that even the character's recollection of her family life had me reaching for the tissues... Simply amazing... Incredibly true-to-life- as with many of his works, you find yourself thinking, "This could happen in reality..."

It's one of those books you need to read a few times- but you wish you were reading for the first time every time you open it.

This is a captivating book. I flipped it open in a book store and being one who loves animals, I decided to try it. I was quite surprised to find a delicately woven plot with surprising characters. This book tosses you directly into the path of a hurt teenager in an assylum with a collection other patients, all with their individual problems. You follow through one girl's mind, and find her individual, touching but sad story. If you want a depressing book, pick this one. If you want a surprising book, pick this one. And, most of all, if you want to be amazed, pick this book

I cried. I think that almost anyone who read this book would. IT is very emotional, and after the last page I simply sat there and thought for ages. Definitely a good read.

Checkers is one of the BEST books I have ever read. I was held captive as this young girl describes all that is happening in her life, and I cried my heart out when I read the last chapter and found out the sweet little doggy's fate. I think the best parts of the book were the parts describing life at the institution. I loved learning about Oliver, and especially Daniel. This book is more than I ever hoped for in a novel. It is told with a certain sympathy and actuality that can only be found in a Marsden. I strongly recommend this to anyone who loves a good book and wants to read something a little better than the ordinary, dull books of today...meaning the ones Mr.Marsden didn't write!

I love John Marsden that I try to read everything of his. This one is no exception. It is very well written and you get into the story really quickly. The problem is the backflashes. I could never tell when they ended and where she is now. If you are a fan of John Marsden READ this book.