Customer Reviews

Truancy

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I found TRUANCY to be thoughtful and interesting, and sometimes just plain funny-- as when Isamu takes a punch at current events by having the Mayor's staff invent the deadly disease-of-the-week which is fed to The Media every time the Mayor has some problem he wants to hide from the populace.

The plotting was good, and the story unfolds in layers as Tact finds himself first opposing The TRUANCY and then joining it. And I really enjoyed the secondary characters, like Tact's mentor, a boy with almost super-human martial arts abilities.

There's been some criticism of the violence in this book, but most of that comes from people who couldn't finish it. I think perhaps they might have stumbled over the 7th grade vocabulary and had to stop reading. (The accelerated reading number is generic "7" by the way. One of the highest levels I've run across in years of doing reviews.) In the end, it's quite clear that the message is anti-violent.

All-in-all I found TRUANCY to be a fun read. It's not perfect --I thought it was too long-- but it's thought provoking and entertaining. I plan on picking up the prequel sometime later this summer. If you're uncertain try Amazon's look inside.

Oh yeah, one other bit of advice. This book isn't entirely grounded in 'reality' with a big "R". When reading TRUANCY you might want to put on your "Seventh Samurai hat", your Clint Eastwood spagetti western hat, and think of the book more as a graphic-novel without the graphics.

Considerations: Violence, language

pam t~
mom and reviewer
(booksforkids-reviews)

Truancy by Isamu Fukui is a releasing read as well as a reality check of suffering in the name of education. This story is based in a fantasy world which makes the story more real, fantasy being a wider angle of truth. The violence is the severe symptom of a diseased city where Education rule and the students of Truancy finally fight back. I understand that the author found it easier to write his story being in school himself but you never forget school whether it was good or bad. I was a rebellious child and the sad state of the education system in the story matched the feelings I had about school. I didn't stay to fight though; I escaped.

Early school leaving does not necessarily lead to criminality. Truancy is an act of bravery; it's also an act of self love. Punishment for truancy in many countries, in the real world, proves that school is not an opportunity, it's an obligation. Thank God for the many countries acknowledging the right of parents to decide on homeschooling/unschooling if that's what a child needs instead of punishing a child that doesn't fit the one and only system to get through the start of life.

This book takes truancy to the next level in a fictional world, but it could be real. If we allowed young people to learn what they want in their own time we would have a better world. No one thrives being forced and although school suits some, it certainly doesn't suit all. If we fully understood the harm done we would release everyone into their own learning, anything else would be imprisonment and that's not what school is about, is it?

This book shows the dark corners of students forced to education in the name of production and paying one's way. It shows that life is not your own at all.

Having read through the reviews for this book, I understand school doesn't leave anyone unaffected, both for and against are entitled to their opinion. I was drawn to the book thanks to the title. I found the writing interesting and engaging. I understood the characters and the plot was good too, but then being an early school leaver, perhaps I'm not properly trained.

Tina Brescanu Author of Warriors of Change: Sentenced to School

When I heard an interview with Isamu Fukui on National Public Radio, I was impressed with the reasons that he wrote this book. Many things he said during the interview and the themes in his novel really hit home: school is often the socializing forum for kids. Even though I'm part of the system the radical in me has wanted to blow it up and start over for quite a while. I'm glad that a teenager has had the courage to pen an exaggerated version of how many educators negatively affect their students' moral and self-respect. Thank heavens my summer break has begun because I can not put that book down!

The Mayor rules the city through the subtle use of the Bureaucracy starting with students whose minds and behavior are shaped to the mayor's ideal of perfection. Every pupil is brainwashed until as adults they do the same things to their offspring who are students. This has led to a totalitarian society in which the Enforcers make sure the students follow the rules; those who fail to conform are expelled to live as homeless waifs.

One former student saw the Mayor, his Educators and the Enforcers as tyrants. He and other disenfranchised and disenchanted students formed the Truancy who chose to live in a free world. Fifteen years old Tack is stunned when the Truancy Leader Zyid kills his sister in what he calls "collateral damage"; he vows to kill Zyid. He joins the Truancy in order to accomplish his quest and though he has chances he hesitates because without Zyid the Truancy, who is family to him, dies. Tack, Zyid and their enemy will soon confront each other with no telling who if any will walk away.

Mindful of Huxley's Big Brother and Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall", Isamu Fukui shows what happens to a society when a dictatorship centrally controls the entire education process especially what is learned. Zyid may be a young teen, but he is a pragmatist who believes bloodshed must occur to bring fear into the hearts of the Mayor, the Educator and their inner circle in order to incite a rebellion. Tack is his opposite as an idealist willing to die for his beliefs, but preferring change without bloodshed.. Readers will be enthralled by this meaningful story focusing on the impact of corrupt leaders controlling all communication starting when the citizens are young pupils.

Harriet Klausner

This is one of the only books that i actually looked forward to reading. it is one of the easiest books to understand they didnt understand it because they didnt read truancy orgins and they barley gave it a try. its funny how adults cant get it but a 12 year old can

Everybody always talks about Paolini being the most amazing teen author. I have to disagree. I believe Fukui has the most amazing ability I've ever read. His use of words pulls you in, drawing you deeper into the book. The action is detailed, the plot intricate, the feelings real. This is by far one of my favorite books, and I recommend it to everybody!

exciting book, will keep most readers interested
not a particularly deep book, although not lighthearted either
not recommended for children under 11
I am angry that people write off any imperfections in this book to fukui's age
in this society of ours, who is more adept using technology, which is the cornerstone of the West?
what is the age of the average billionaire?
but that's for another time

this is a youth-in-rebellion story
I recommend you read this, then truancy origins.
that's what fukui intended, and frankly, it's a lot more interested that way.
I'm very happy fukui is 16, because many of my favorite authors (hugh lofting, dahl, rothstein) are dead, or no longer write

I did not expect to enjoy this book as teen writers tend to find fame and fortune before their talent is able to catch up. However, I think Fukui is a very promising young writer. Although he professes not to enjoy math and science, Truancy makes excellent use of fanciful diseases. It's rare for someone so young to be so gifted in literature and yet display such a profound interest in the sciences. I look forward to seeing more from this young writer. I hope more young readers discover Fukui's writing as this can't be anything but a good influence.

I am a senior at a certain high school, and after I saw two friends who very rarely partake in books reading Truancy, I wondered if this could be a diamond in the rough for teen literature. I can't believe how wrong I was. Let me start with this, the books idea has appeal, that is undeniable for many readers, potential and past, but what this book lacks is a plot. Sure, it has the generic plot line so popular In our culture, a young man learns from a philosophical mentor who seems omniscient, but witnesses the death of his sister. Vowing revenge, the protagonist ends up joining the said organization responsible the next day (how convenient). If you are looking for coincidences, this book is brimming with them. My favorite example, the ceramic swords found at factory. I have two problems with this. First, what possible purpose could a government have to make three ceramic swords, when their enforcers use only guns. Second, why three? Once again, convenience strikes to give an exact number needed, for these items that really shouldn't be around in the first place, except for mind-numbingly long fight scenes. I could go on... For an entire book.

Maybe I'm digging too far into a book, something that should be an enjoyable read, but I, in my humble opinion, give this book a C-. Dear author, I realize you were my age when I wrote this, but next time, please give out copies of your book to a hundred of your friends, family, editors, and people interested. And have them point out holes in your storyline ( of course, having the book end up online somewhere would defeat the purpose of writing it in the first place, since you very likely appreciate money as much as the next person).

To potential buyers who read the review first (good for you) I strongly recommend not buying this book, but borrowing it from a friend or the library

To people who liked the book, I'm sorry for bashing on your holy Grail of literature. I apologize.

To everyone else who didn't appreciate this book to it's full intended value, thank you for restoring some of my faith in humanity.

The question for me is, where was the editor? This author is obviously a talented young writer, but my goodness, so many plot holes, no character development (Umasi, his brother, and Edward were interchangeable). And oh, the tedious fight scenes that went on for pages and that I simply started skimming over.

It's a fun storyline, poorly executed. I think it will embarrass the author some years down the line and shouldn't be in print. For example, why is The City controlled by "outside forces?" We never learn; it's a great big secret. Why are so many districts deserted? We have no idea. Where are the parents and why does Tack feel disconnected from them? We never know; they are in fact never portrayed.

Well, I could go on and on, but really--young author, continue writing and take the critique you get to heart. Critique from your fellow writers is incredibly valuable. I think you have a great story-making talent. Telling the story in a logical fashion is something I will look forward to seeing.