Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Pay It Forward
Book Review: I LOVE This Book-
Summary: 5 Stars
I hardly ever do book reviews- but, I loved this book so much I have re-read it a total of three times(skipping certain passages that bored me occasionally). The idea for the book itself is interesting- A kid changing the world to the point where acts of kindness are considered "everyday" rather than "newsworthy" through a method of helping others and have them pay the kindness forward rather than return it.
I orginally saw the movie and fell in love with the idealism behind it so much I knew I had to read the book- Now, I kind of wish I had just read the book- the movie leads out major details and creates HUGE gaps that the story only fills- Hyde talks in very simple terms and breaks the chapters up into first person narratives jumping from main characters to minor characters and back again- this might seem a little tedious- but, I found it extremely personal- it gave me extreme insight into what one character was feeling versus another- It also makes you feel as though everyone involved/behind the pay it forward movement is IMPORTANT.
The book focuses on some points/areas the movie just does not go particularly the relationship between Arlene and Reuben... which the movie touches only the tip of the iceberg with. Their is also a major bond between Trevor and his teacher Reuben reflected better in the book than the movie... The book also covers the "Pay It Forward" method that becomes a NATIONALLY known/ effective method- in which Trevor meets the President is the focus of many news shows and newspapers... he becomes very well known and a revolutionary hero of the hour.
The book is dated in the 90s- Clinton is president. One of the characters was affected by the Vietnam War and suffered burn scars. But I don't see the "liberal" agenda that so many other readers seem to have seen in it. The book is very idealistic in subject matter but, I couldn't help but WISH the world would really change for the better- if we ourselves would only change for the better. This is DEFINATELY one of those books that sticks with you long after you read it- a definate keeper in your book collection!
I would not let children read this unless they are maybe fourteen or above the book- seems to appeal to the older teenagers and adults and talks about some tough issues- such as homosexuality, thugs, sex, and some other inapporiate issues for younger readers. However readers will LOVE this story about human kindness, the power of love, giving to others, and imperfect people doing extra-ordinary things. The book is PERFECT and a real treat to read. Definately hit the buy it-now button and think about PAYING IT FORWARD yourself.
Book Review: I can't recommend it...even though I kind of enjoyed it...
Summary: 2 Stars
The first thing I should say is that I started reading this book, while waiting at the airport to catch a flight home, & finished it 4 hours later, about 10 minutes before landing. My point here is that "Pay it forward" is an easy-to-read, quite compelling book. It takes hold of you, & keeps your attention until you finish it.But I don't think the fact that a book is easily read is what makes it a good book. It may well be that the book is simply shallow. And I think this is exactly the case here. "Pay it forward" has an interesting idea as a central theme (what would happen if someone did a good deed, & instead of accepting any kind of repayment, asked whomever they did the good deed for to "pay it forward" to 3 people). Simple huh? In this incredibly obvious & yet (supposedly) overlooked way, the world would quickly & easily change. World peace, here we come......
And yet, the next obvious thought is: so why hasn't this brilliant idea been put into action so far? And here I was impressed by the naivite of many readers & reviewers who think the only reason that this kind of thing doesn't happen has to do with everybody else (except them) being cynics & not believing it could happen. So ok, next obvious question--why would all these supposedly cynical & bitter-hearted people believe world peace could not be achieved that easily? Here the answer is far more complicated. One thing I could say is that doing good for someone else is not a simple thing at all, it has to do with whatever one believes or doesn't believe. Imagine for example a deeply religious person believing they could help people by converting them to "truth". Imagine also a group of socialists believing communism is the way to help & save people, & taking it into their hands to change the world. That would surely not sit too well with americans, would it? Everyone has a different idea of what's "good" for others...
Anyway, to the point--"Pay it forward" is a shallow, well-intentioned little book, a book that can inspire interesting conversations, mostly because of its basic idea. As for development of characters, & the actual writing, I thought that -at best- it was mediocre.
Book Review: I hope the movie is better.
Summary: 2 Stars
I heard that the movie is great. Being the type of person that would rather read a book than watch a movie, on impulsive, I read the book. The beginning is great because it hooked me.Then it became very bland. Rueben St. Clair sounds more Caucasian than African-American and the author never explained the impact Trevor's life had on his concept; possibly more attention to Trevor's father with the quote. Arlene was the only one the author explained well, though still disappointing. Basically, the author never went deep into any of the characters.
It was hard to keep track of the flashbacks. At many intervals, I was not sure if it was present-time or the past from the authors point of view. There should have been more reactions from others that were helped. Additionally, the author clearly has an "agenda" to set forth with the admiration of President Clinton and her ideals concerning homophobic behaviors. Trevor's death could have been written with more dialogue.
With all the negativity, I love the concept. It is something I have done and continue to do but never had a name for it. I always tell those I help to: "Just do something good for someone else." Now I'll tell them to "Pay It Forward."
Book Review: I just can't bring myself to finish it!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
The movie is great! The idea is great! The book is... not so great.
I bought the book because the community where I live participated in the One Book program, where the entire community is encouraged to read one book. Events were planned, even a lecture and book signing by Ms. Hyde. I was excited.
I started reading the book and waited for the author to get into a groove. I waited for the writing to smooth out a little but it didn't happen. I got to chapter four and I just couldn't take it any more. I see why the screenplay writers changed the story so much. The book takes an absolutely fabulous idea and packages it in an unrealistic, contrived, poorly written package.
I wanted to give it 5-stars, I wanted it to be 5-star material but it just isn't.
Book Review: I would recommend Pay It Forward.
Summary: 5 Stars
Pay it Forward is a book that a recommend for anyone to read. 12 year old Trevor receives a homework assignment that asks him to devise a plan that would help change the world for the better. Trevor comes up with "Pay it Forward", a system in which one person does a good deed for three people. Those three people are each expected to do a good deed for three additional people. The cycle continues on and on. No one is forced to perform good deeds, but the outcome is amazing. Trevor never imagined that "Pay it Forward" would touch so many lives and bring together so many people. I enjoyed reading this book because when you think about changing the world, you would never believe that it would start with a child.