Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Elsewhere
Book Review: Captivating
Summary: 3 Stars
Lizie is a victim of a hit and run and wakes up bald on a boat, not knowing where she is and how she got there. She gradually realizes that she is dead and that she along with her mates on the boat, are headed to 'elsewhere' on a one way trip.
At first I thought I was going to get into another "Lovely Bones" (one of my favs) but I realized that altho both books cover similar themes, they were different and if I wanted to give this book a chance, I shouldn't compare it to TLB.
The writing is simply yet captivating, and the storline is very much intruging. It's the kind of book you'd find yourself reading in one sitting. An enjoyable read.
Book Review: Captivating, But Depressing
Summary: 2 Stars
The book kept me curious and engaged...and sad. If you like happy endings, then you might want to think twice before reading this one.Book Review: Could have been more - 3.2
Summary: 3 Stars
"Elsewhere" is a great example of a "could-have-been". The premise has intrigue, the characters have momentary special sparks, and the entire story at times comes together neatly and nicely. Plus, the book is totally fun to read. Then again, we don't rate books based on what they could have been. And that's where "Elsewhere" falls.
Zevin's simple writing is charming at first, but soon grows to be flat and bland. Characters start out with a feeling like they'll flesh out soon, but never really do. They remain pretty two-dimensional throughout the entire book. The romance theme is a bit weird at times (backwards timing?) and the whole premise is strange enough to make your head spin at times. The book is really nice to read (a quick, easy read), but the writing grows dull quickly and the plot never really lifts off. There are enough plot holes to make an intelligent young reader raise their eyebrows and the ridiculous moments ultimately take away from the good parts.
Honestly, "Elsewhere" is a mediocre book. In some respects it's good (simple writing keeps the reader hooked from start to finish), but in others it fails to deliver (character growth and plot development are fairly nonexistent). It was fun to read but did little for my senses. It's also very much a girl's book. It's difficult for boys to find something in Liz's character to relate to. Yes, some moments are intriguing to think about and almost touching (losing the ability to read as time goes backwards, forgetting your loved ones, moving on). Then again, others aren't.
"Elsewhere" had the potential and premise to be a really great book. Instead, it's an okay book for girls, a fun read for a lazy afternoon. It's nice; not much beyond that. Zevin's book may appeal to some more than others (pre-teen girls looking for semi-romantic semi-philosophical books) but it by no means falls into the "great" category. Good, by a hair.
Book Review: Dead girl talking
Summary: 4 Stars
After Liz Hall is killed in an accident, she finds herself on a ship heading to a place called Elsewhere. Of course, she doesn't understand where she is yet, but she knows she is surrounded by strangers, including one of her favorite singers. Her family is notable absent. So, where's she going and why aren't they around?
She quickly learns she is no longer alive and instead will reside in Elsewhere for the next 15 years. Elsewhere is home of those who have died, and she knows she will be there 15 years because in Elsewhere, people age backwards, rather than forwards. When they reach age 0, they are transported back to Earth for a new shot at life.
Liz meets up with her grandmother, who will take care of her in Elsewhere, but Liz cannot find herself happy. Rather, she spends hours on the Observation Deck that allows her to look back to Earth and long for her family and friends. Through some sneakery, Liz also finds a way to go back to Earth and communicate with (i.e., scare the crap out of) those still living. After many interventions, she realizes this will not help with either her closure or the closure of her family; however, she has so many unanswered questions that living in Elsewhere feels like a prison, rather than the most wonderful place on earth.
Elsewhere was one of the first books to explore the dead-girl-in-the-afterworld trope, which has been redone a number of times, notably in the Morris-nominated Everafter by Amy Huntley. Zevin's book has a number of issues with pacing and timing, however, that I felt weren't present in Huntley's book; years would pass by without much incident, as though Liz were simply okay with her situation in Elsewhere, while she's spent significant time prior moping and bemoaning her situation. I wish this were more seamless.
As far as pacing was concerned, there were jumps that were awkward, but the book read quickly. Zevin's style is pleasing. She writes realistic dialog, and I felt that Liz was a belivable teenager. I'm under the belief teens feel this is the case, too, as my copies of this title are rarely available on shelf -- for five years, this has been quite a popular book.
One of the notes I made to myself on this particular title, though, was that there were a lot of unanswered questions for me. I didn't quite understand the bigger idea of Elsewhere, nor how Liz found herself surrounded by certain people and not others. She befriends a favorite musician from her days of being alive, but she never seems to really meet anyone else (this could go back to pacing and plot jumps, too). Likewise, did everyone go to Elsewhere? What sort of point was there in Elsewhere? People could work jobs, but the money they made was a moot point since nothing cost money in Elsewhere. To me, it was a little strange to have developed this world but left so many questions for the reader. I wish I had gotten to know Liz a little better, both in her Earthly life and in Elsewhere. Oh, and the perspective-told-from-a-dog needed either to be pushed further or left out entirely. It felt a little forced for how it was presented. It opened more questions, too, about Elsewhere's requirements for admission. And really, how the heck would you ever FIND your loved ones if everyone could be in Elsewhere? Mind-boggling!
Is it fair to compare a book like this -- a first in this style or idea -- to something that felt more fully fleshed like Everafter that came a few years later? I'm not sure and I'm not sure it matters a whole lot. These are fantastic readalikes, along with The Lovely Bones. There is definite girl appeal written all over these, which begs the question when an author will approach this theme with a male character and, perhaps, a male-dominated world? I'd love to read something that shakes up the trope like that.
That said, Zevin's work, I think, will be one of those teen classics. It has staying power, and it will appeal to your readers contemplating what happens after we die (and who doesn't think about that?). Fluid writing and he intriguing concept, without doubt, make up for some of the weaknesses.
Book Review: Death on the SS Nile
Summary: 4 Stars
"Woman hold her head and cry;
Comforting her I was passing by.
She complained, then she cry"
(Lyrics from "Johnny Was" by Bob Marley)
Lizzie Hall thinks she's dreaming.
She's dreaming she's on a ship
And she's bald
And she has a room-mate named Thandiwe
And she's got stitches over her ear
And Thandi has a hole in her head
From a stray bullet
And then she starts to remember
She remembers heading for the mall
With a friend
To pick a dress for her friend for the prom
And she remembers her bicycle
And a taxicab
And a collision
And finally she realizes
That's she's really on a ship
To Elsewhere
Which is where you go
When your number comes up
And there ain't no heaven or hell -
Just Elsewhere
In this unique vision of the afterlife, the recently deceased find themselves aboard the SS Nile, bound for Elsewhere. The thing about Elsewhere is that it's just like "here", with houses and cars and jobs, except that people age backwards, getting younger every year.
"What happens when you hit the big zero?" you may ask.
Let's just say that in Elsewhere, recycling is the way to go, gently down the stream, without a paddle.
At first, fifteen year old Lizzie finds it hard to adjust to not being alive, but with the love and support of her now middle-aged grandmother, she is finally able to find her niche in death. Along the way she makes mistakes, but she also makes life-long friends, although of course that's a variable factor anywhere.
A "coming of age" story in reverse and an intriguing concept (albeit a little over-simplified in certain aspects) this book is recommended for ages twelve and up, but definitely one to be considered.
Amanda Richards, September 10, 2008