-
Amazing... Jul 27, 2009 (5 of 6 found this helpful)
On the surface, this is a novel about coincidence. What does it mean when we happen to find ourselves in a certain place, at a certain time? How will our lives be different? Better? Worse? Digging deeper into the heart of this story, we get to explore all of the possibilities that chance brings into our lives.
When we meet Destiny Farrady, we see a wounded child who, at 17, has been shuffled from boarding school to boarding school due to having parents who can't take the time to raise her themselves. She's structured her personality to keep to a strict routine and not allow anyone to get close to her, in the hopes that she won't be hurt further if she should be left behind again.
On the morning of October 19, she's given the opportunity to share "one fair day" with three of her classmates. They engage in a road trip together and along the way forge a bond of understanding about all the things that go right and wrong in their lives and the world.
Though I was able to guess the climax of this novel about halfway through, I couldn't help but be completely taken in my Ms. Pearson's beautiful explanations of chance, coincidence and life. Destiny's story brought me to tears and the messages that were delivered were more powerful than I can describe.
Anything that may be construed as trite within the narration of this story is all overshadowed by the emotions the reader will inevitably feel after witnessing the tale of this poor girl. I really can't say too many good things about this story - Just read it!
-
Things you didn't know you were missing... Sep 18, 2009 (2 of 2 found this helpful)
Destiny has spent her whole life being shuttled between various boarding schools. Now, at 17, she is waiting for the other shoe to drop: she's been at Hedgebrook Academy for two whole years, longer than she's been anywhere in her life. Her days at Hedgebrook are marked by routine and predictability, down to the lumps in her morning oatmeal, which suits her fine.
Then something interesting happens: Destiny comes across a car idling on the lawn of the school with the driver's door open. Destiny doesn't know how to drive but soon she has her friend Seth behind the wheel of the car she proclaims 'found her'. Another couple of unlikely students join them and then they find themselves embarking on a road trip.
Destiny, always finding coincidence, always noticing the alignment of numbers, sees clearly how things are connected. And yet, she doesn't seem to grasp how years of being without family and kicked out of various schools have slowly wrapped up her heart like a chrysalis. This road trip will set her heart free again.
I think the summary on the back of the book puts it perfectly- that this story "explores the absurdities of life, friendship, and fate-- and also moments of grace and wonder". I was in awe when I finished the book. It was a quick and easy read and yet in many regards, so terribly profound.
This book is truly a simple beauty about the journey of a young girl back to life. An excellent young adult book with so many important things to think about, in particular, the value of how we connect with one another. An excellent book for adults, as well, who want some plain truth served up in pleasing to read prose.
-
So memorable and endearing Sep 9, 2009 (2 of 2 found this helpful)
Destiny Faraday has perfected her presence at boarding school. She doesn't have friends, but she spends a little time in the company of a few people. She doesn't refuse to speak but keeps her talking to a minimum. Des has the boarding school life of predictability and routine down pat from her endless observations of those around her and from her number-one rule: Don't get attached. But things rarely go as one plans. When Des unexpectedly finds an abandoned running car, she realizes that although this day, October 19, is supposed to be bad, she can't pass up this opportunity. Somehow her party grows to four with the addition of three of Des' classmates, and they take off on an unauthorized road trip in search of one fair day where everything turns out just so. Along the way, Des finds out that someone has already broken her number-one rule for her--and that it might not be such a bad thing.
I'll admit the first novel by Pearson I read, Scribbler of Dreams, was not one of my favorites. However, The Adoration of Jenna Fox convinced me to give this author another try, which I'm glad I did because The Miles Between was absolutely fabulous. It's difficult to say what exactly about Pearson's writing that makes this novel come together so magically, but perhaps it is its thoughtfulness. There's something about the words on each page that makes each of the main characters so real and makes the reader wish he/she was on this random road trip. Both the characters and the plot are spectacularly formed, revealing the right amount of information at the right time to keep things well-paced but still interesting. I don't really know what else to say about the presentation of this story besides that the effect is wonderful and stunning. I was so connected to this book, the story and the characters, also because of how coincidence and fate were so central to the novel. These are just some of the things about life that have always amazed and fascinated me, and their inclusion in this novel made it all the more unique and interesting. The Miles Between is not an action book; it is mostly character- and thought-driven but still with plenty of surprises hidden within its pages. It is a wonderfully endearing novel that will cheer anyone up and make them feel not alone.
Fans of Pearson's writing, particularly in The Adoration of Jenna Fox, will enjoy The Miles Between. This sweet story will also attract fans of You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith, Crash Into Me by Albert Borris, Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern, and Sprout by Dale Peck.
-
Courtesy of Teens Read Too Sep 4, 2009 (2 of 2 found this helpful)
Coincidence, fate, destiny - how much of our lives do these control? Destiny Faraday believes these powers have been in control of her life since the day she turned seven.
Destiny is now seventeen; in fact, it is October 19th, her birthday. She pulls herself out of her bed at Hedgebrook Academy as a fellow boarding school student calls out "Breakfast, Des." At breakfast, she sits with the usual people and eats the same lumpy oatmeal the cook churns out every day. Will this day be the same as any other day, or could this day somehow be different? It turns out that quite a bit about this day will be different, and yet just the same.
Later that morning, Destiny stumbles across a beautiful, pink convertible idling on the school grounds. The car offers the possibility of adventure and perhaps a chance to prove something to the parents she feels have abandoned her in various boarding schools for the past ten years. When Destiny spies Seth hiding out to avoid trash duty, she asks if he drives. When the answer is yes, they hop in the car and cautiously head toward the main gate. This is the first of a long line of coincidences that will take Destiny on the roadtrip of her life.
Joined by two other students, Mira and Aidan, Destiny and Seth turn in the direction of Langdon some two-and-a-half hours away. Along the way they encounter some odd situations. They rescue a little lamb wandering in the roadway, and Seth promptly names him Lucky. When the gas supply begins to dwindle, a quick check of their finances reveals nothing but empty pockets until they check the glove compartment and discover a thick packet of $100 bills.
Many other strange and unusual happenings fill their day until they finally arrive in Langdon. Destiny confesses to her travel companions that this is her home and that today is the day she wants to confront her parents about her feelings of abandonment. With promises to support her, her classmates rally as the joyous adventure suddenly turns more serious.
THE MILES BETWEEN is the story of a girl searching for answers. So much in her short life has gone wrong, with coincidence as the only explanation, and now she seems ready to face the fears she has lived with for so long.
Mary E. Pearson weaves together an amazing and tragic tale as she turns four acquaintances into true friends. The range of emotions packed into this novel will take readers from laughter to tears and everything in between.
This is a must-read due out this September.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
-
A book that compels you to feel sadness, love, and life. No spoilers Oct 5, 2009 (1 of 1 found this helpful)
I'm not going to tell you what this book is about, although, if I did, the review could very easily write itself as I could handily point out each and every clever thing the author did to craft their story. So, I will merely tell you that the book is wonderfully well written with the following supporting points:
1) The main character grows and blossoms in a meaningful and enjoyable way over the course of the book.
2) The dialogue is extremely well written, witty, and rich.
3) The characters are believable enough, and yet special as well.
4) The main character, Destiny, is delightfully sardonic, without being overdone. A delicate balance.
5) The author ties together many plot details throughout the book. The book is not just written, it is carefully woven. For example, by the end of the book the innocent "on my way" from the beginning has a much greater impact and meaning.
6) Mature readers may be able to guess the conclusion relatively early, but less sophisticated readers will enjoy the unfolding truth, as well as looking back over the previous chapters and remembering various clues that were left along the way.
7) There are no "cheap tricks" in the book. As you might expect of Juvenile Fiction, there is no gore, lust, or other heavy and overused devices. This book is well written enough for an adult to enjoy it, and safe enough for a juvenile. Which is, as we all know, a very hard feat to accomplish without helpings of gore, lust, or hate...
8) While unlikely things happen, the nature of the book and the way it is constructed allows you to accept these moments easily without having to put much effort into suspending your disbelief. Its all consistent.
9) The denouement is handled extremely well and leaves you feeling quite satisfied.
When the weight of the scenario hits you, its quite likely to make you cry like a baby. If you want a book that makes you feel something, then Pearson definitely delivers. You will feel sorrow, but oh so much enjoyment. Which is really what makes this book so magical. Pearson has hit a wonderful balance.