Monster (Amistad) by Walter Dean Myers Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Monster (Amistad)
Book Review: All around, good attempt
Summary: 4 Stars
Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, is to say the least an interesting book. The stories protagonist, Steve, is put on trial for murder because he "aided in a robbery that led to the murder". The book is written mostly in a format for a movie, for Steve writes the movie script to help him cope with the trial and the trauma that is occurring inside of him. In the end, Steve is found innocent and released, but Myers is never clear if Steve really did assist in the robbery, leaving the reader to have to choose for themselves if Steve is truly guilty or innocent.
I thought this book was overall a good read. The drama of the storyline mixed with the mystery of Steve's actions certainly kept me fascinated from cover to cover. The idea to write in a movie script was a very creative idea on Myer's part, and he should at least deserve credit for originality. My only quarrel with the book was the characters. It was not that I had any problems with the character's personalities, rather their lack of personality. As I started reading, I wanted to like Steve, or hate him, or have some definite opinion on how I should feel about him. But as the book went on, I found myself having to reach harder and harder to grasp Steve's character, until I realized that it was not me who had the problem. It was Steve, whose defining characteristics were as flat as the pages that they were written on. When the court's decision finally came, I wanted to know very badly what the verdict was, but I later found that I would not have been to upset if the verdict went either way. I did not care how the book ended, or how it affected Steve, I just wanted to know what the ending was.
If Mr. Myers reads this, I would like to tell him that he is a great writer and a very creative thinker. Just next time, remember to make the protagonist more human, so that readers will be able to "feel what he is feeling" easier. If you master that, your books will truly be great.
Book Review: A book students like to read
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a high school English teacher and I have struggled with finding books students would read. I found just such a book with Monster. I had several who took the book home the first night and finished it. My students begged for more reading time in class because they didn't get to read as much as they wanted to the night before.
Book Review: Quick read, excellent story
Summary: 4 Stars
Quick read, excellent story. Steve Harmon is a 16-year-old on trial for the murder of a drug store owner during a robbery attempt. He is accused of being a look-out for the robbery. The reader knows essentially what the jurors know - except for brief, descriptive scenes of Steve's incarceration. Steve comes from a loving stable home. He's an aspiring film student and a loving older brother. The impact of how quickly and how terribly things can go wrong is very strong. An excellent story for teens - neither condescending or boring - but one adults can appreciate as well.Book Review: Monster review
Summary: 4 Stars
Monster is an amazing book, because, at least for me, it transports you to a world you don't see every day. One in the courtroom, one in jail, on on the streets. The unique way it was written kept my interest, and made it feel like you were sitting right there. The dialogue was awesome, and it was all written in dialect that seemed realistic. Read this book...you will love it! Or if you don't love, you will at least be fascinated by how the main character's fear is so real, you can feel it.Book Review: Monster: Intresting and thought provoking
Summary: 4 Stars
Monster is the riveting tale of a young man on trial for murder. His attorney stresses that he needs to stand out from the other thugs on trial, as he struggles with his own sense of self. Steve narrates in a unique way, a collection of train-of-though style journal writing and screen plays of the events. He builds it all into a movie in his head, and on paper to help him sort out what's going on around him.
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