Customer Reviews

The Daydreamer

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Children have vivid imaginations, and the weird fantasies of a child are some of the most striking that a person can have. Ian McEwan's "Daydreamer" is one of those rare novels that kids and adults will enoy, though for very different reasons.

Ten-year-old Peter Fortune is supposedly a "difficult" boy, even though he's well-behaved and kind. That's only because he's a quiet loner -- he doesn't mind being around other people, but he prefers to withdraw into his vivid daydreams. When he and his sister fight and he receives his own room, an evil doll leads the other dolls to attack him. When an elderly cat is bullied by a younger cat, Peter becomes the cat for a day. He rubs vanishing cream on his family. He switches bodies with Kenneth, a wobbly toddler who tries to eat everything. He encounters a mystery burglar who has been robbing houses on his street. And he dreams of being an adult.

McEwan's books are usually much darker than "Daydreamer," but this book doesn't seem lightweight or dumbed-down. It's less like a novel than a series of seven interconnected short stories, each focusing on Peter and how reality shapes his daydreams. McEwan's writing is dreamy but realistic, and often very funny (such as Peter's reaction when he finds himself in Kenneth's baby body).

There's nothing objectionable in this book, and McEwan tinges the few frightening images with humor (when the dolls pull off one of Peter's limbs, he yells, "Hey, give those back!"). Kids will probably enjoy reading about Peter's daydreams, especially if they imagine such vivid things themselves. And adults may like getting a glimpse back in time of when they were able to dream that way. Peter has the purity of a child, knowing that a cat has a soul and feeling sorry for a bully he reduced to tears.

If you ever had weird, now-seeming-ridiculous fantasies (or if you still do -- not everybody stops!), then this book will bring a smile to your face.

My 11-year-old son and I listened to an audiotape of this book on a lengthy drive; we were rapt. My son, also a fantastical daydreamer, absolutely identified with the main character. Contrary to what some of the other reviewers reported, we found the stories extremely inventive and gripping. I found the final story about falling in love especially poignant and lovely. This book is written for children yet possesses good vocabulary and McEwan's incisive writing style. He does not dumb down the language nor the content for children. I recommend this book highly, and especially recommend the audiotape version--the narrator's reading is excellent.

Buy him books like this! My 11 year-old son loved this book so much, he insisted that I read it, too. I'm glad I did; it's a lovely collection of stories about the vivid fantasy life of a young boy. Like many children, he often wishes to be other than he is - an adult, a baby, a hero. Our favorite story was the one in which the boy becomes his cat. This is a wonderful, thought-provoking book for children and adults, perfect for reading together.

By Venyce, Grade 4, Washington DC You should read the Daydreamer by Ian McEwan !!! Many different kinds of people wold like this book. People who have big imaginations would like it, because they can daydream with Peter and become a cat or a baby or even a grown up. People who are hungry for adventure would like it, because Peter makes your parents vanish into thin air with vanishing cream and talks to dolls. Can you imagine that? People who can bring their imaginination far out would like this book because Peter becomes a baby and remembers what it was like. People who can be like a child with a big imagination would like this book. They would like it because they can become mountain climbers or defeat bullies with words. And everyone should read it because it was one of the greatest books in the world.

although it is simple to read, the daydreamer proved very interesting. McEwan uses peter to show the ciacological changes and ideas we all go through and have. it really is about putting yourself in other peoples shoes and experiencing what it is like to be them. peters ideas and thoughts bring the book alive and really show what it is like to be a 10 year old boy growing up. it made me think about what i was like when i was 10 and the way i behaved.you have to really think about what the book is about and its meaning. i found it very interesting discussing the book and other peoples views on it. i really enjoyed it. it is well worth reading.

This is definitely a good book for grown ups but still young enough to be appreciated by kids. I was reading it and friends tsk'ed and asked if it was just another "Harry Potter" book and I had to say it wasn't at all like those books. Not being a fan of the Potter books, I was almost offended at the comparison. Ian McEwan is a fantastic writer and brilliantly writes kids without losing his intelligent edge. I would definitely recommend this as a whimsical escape or just as a creative stimulus for anyone experiencing the sort of block that leaves one wondering just where imagination goes when we become adults?!

I bought this book, thinking that my oldest daughter who is 11 would like to read it. When I got it, I read it before her and found it wonderfully funny and easy to relate to. I love to read aloud to my children, and since each chapter is a short story or adventure in Peter's life, I decided it would be a great book to read before bedtime each night. My girls absolutely loved it and laughed out loud at Peter's adventures. They asked me to read it to their respective classes, and I did to my 4th grader's class. They got so attached to Peter that when I read his last story, they asked me if I could start over and read it to them again. Peter had become their best friend, someone who fullfilled their fantasies. A must for every parent, especially if your child is a daydreamer.

peter fortune escapes reality in his fantastic daydreams. these accounts inspire adults to remind themselves of their own playfulness, and to "let go" more often.

although peter's adventures are quite unbelievable they are acheivable and just as addictive as harry potter's world.

this book is definitely for children AND adults. just as peter says, perhaps if more people daydreamed, there would be less wars.

or maybe less road rage less office spats less divorces who knows? just read it.

I found this book enjoyable. However i did find it did not spread the imagination as far as possibal. It left you wanting to know more, but not gripped the whole way through. At parts its drags a bit, but there is enough entertainment to keep you going. All in all it is a good read but not one of the best i have read.

I love this book. It is one of my favorite books of all time. I got it years and years ago and haved loved it ever since. Peter daydreams about all sorts of things from his sister's dolls coming to life to turning into his cat and even a baby. It's a great book that you can read in one sitting. Each chapter is a different story, same characters, about Peter's daydreams. My favorite chapters are the ones where he turns into a cat and the one where his sister's dolls come to life and are evil. It's a charming book that anyone can love. ...This book is great for all ages. Enjoy!