22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kept us reading, made us think!, July 16, 2002
This review is from: The Last Book In The Universe (Mass Market Paperback)
My youngest child (almost 11 as of this writing) often enjoys having books read aloud, in the evening or while we're on vacation far from the television. It can be a challenge to find something we'll both enjoy. My only stipulation is that I get to pick the book (and that they won't come from his favorite horror series books) His stipulation is that we'll stop reading if the first chapter is boring.
This book was one we both enjoyed. We read a chapter or two a night, sometimes more when it was really exciting. We always looked forward to reading some more.
The main character is an outcast within an outcast society, Spaz (an epileptic loner.) He meets some other misfits -- an elderly writer in a world without books, a homeless five year old who can only say one word and an advanced (improved) human who goes against the rules of her own perfect Eden.
The story, told in first person from the view of Spaz, was engrossing, filling our minds with sometimes horrifying visions of a new futuristic world, where a huge earthquake years ago upset civilization as we now know it. The gray skied, cement grounded cities (Urbs) are run by latchlords, gang lords who make and enforce their own ever changing rules. They can and do eliminate anyone for any reason - or no reason at all. Escape from reality is sought by nearly everyone, including the latchlords. Most people have become addicts to needles inserted into the brain, giving the viewer a realistic mind show with images of a perfect world. Mindprobes have replaced drugs, TV and video games, but they are beginning to disrupt the 'leadership' of the latchlords, bringing anarchy and total destruction to the Urbs.
Far away from the Urbs (which are connected by pipelines) is Eden, home of the "proovs" who are genetically improved humans, thought to be superior to the 'normals.' "Normals" aren't allowed in Eden, where they could actually see a blue sky and green grass, things they 'd heard about from old timers, but which they believe can only be fairy tales.
Spaz's foster sister Bean - the only human who means anything to him - is dying in another Urb, and this emotionally numbed boy decides to risk leaving his Urb and travel through the pipelines to visit her one last time.
He is unhappy to end up journeying with his outcast acquaintances Ryter and Chox), aided by Lanaya (a perfect girl from Eden) on a journey to save Bean -- and while they're at it, to change the world. Likeable characters plus some who aren't so nice. A touch of violence and scary confrontations. A good book for encouraging discussions of prejudices, environmental issues, reading, writing and alternative communications.
We liked it!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book with a lot of symbolism, January 16, 2007
A Kid's Review
This review is from: The Last Book In The Universe (Mass Market Paperback)
This book is very interesting, because it is using many similarities between their world and ours. It also has a lot of symbolism with the mind probes representing drugs,and anything you can get addicted to in our world today.
It starts out slow, but as you read on, it developes a plot sequence, that is interesting. Many characters, like Spaz, Lanayy, and Ryter, are easy to relate to.
In this story, Eden is representing heaven. Many people strive to be in its presense.
Rodman Philbrick has implied many different morals in this book. The main moral is to not judge people by their appearances. This means that if someone looks perfect, that doesen't mean they are perfect. This also means that someone who is not coordinated or polished could still be a good friend.
Another moral of this book is to keep reading. Without reading, we would loose all of our current knowledge, and future research would not be possible.
Over all, it is a good read, for children and young adults. As the plot develops, you understand the true purpose of each of these relatable characters. I would highly recomend this book!!
Mitchell, Nathan, & Cory
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What The Author has To Say About 'The Last Book', November 2, 2000
The novel 'The last Book In The Universe' grew out of a short story of the same title. It takes place in a dangerous future, in the ruins of a once great city now known simply as 'The Urb'. My young hero has to embark on a terrifying quest in the company of a mysterious stranger known as Ryter, crossing war-torn 'latches' dominated by wild mobs and demented gang bosses. At the center of the ruined city is a forbidden paradise reserved for the 'proovs' - those humans who have gentically 'improved' themselves. I've tried to make the story as exciting as possible - I wanted to create a real page turner. If you enjoyed my novel 'Freak The Mighty' I think you may like 'The Last Book In The Universe', but be warned: this is a very different kind of story.
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