≡ Libro Gratis The Escape From Home Beyond the Western Sea Book 1 Avi Books

The Escape From Home Beyond the Western Sea Book 1 Avi Books

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The Escape From Home Beyond the Western Sea Book 1 Avi Books

Harsh circumstances. Only for mature children or teens. Well written. Excellent story but unrelentingly depressing. Reading as an adult I found it difficult to get past some of the plot points. Lack of parenting involved in this book and The True Confessions of Charlotte.... book seem pivotal to both storylines.


Tags : Amazon.com: The Escape From Home (Beyond the Western Sea, Book 1) (9780380728756): Avi: Books,Avi,The Escape From Home (Beyond the Western Sea, Book 1),HarperCollins,0380728753,Adventure and adventurers;Fiction.,Emigration and immigration;Fiction.,Runaways;Fiction.,Action & Adventure - General,Adventure and adventurers,Children's BooksAges 9-12 Fiction,Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9),Emigration and immigration,Family - Siblings,Fiction,Historical - United States - 19th Century,JUVENILE,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Fiction Action & Adventure General,Juvenile Fiction Family Siblings,Juvenile Fiction Historical General,Juvenile Grades 7-9 Ages 12-14,Runaways,YOUNG ADULT FICTION,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Action & Adventure General,Children: Grades 4-6

The Escape From Home Beyond the Western Sea Book 1 Avi Books Reviews

I've read BTWS once a year since 2005. I'm utterly delighted to see it reprinted, although I was longing for an omnibus edition.

As his village is tumbled by English soldiers, Patrick O'Connell, 12, throws a rock at Lord Kirkle's agent, who threatens him with arrest if he doesn't leave Ireland in two days. He and his sister Maura, 15, sail to Liverpool. Does he stay out of trouble there? No. He meets Laurence, 11, a runaway who doesn't give his surname. It's Kirkle, and he's trying to avoid being found by various parties. The boys form a plan to stow Laurence on the ship the O'Connells are sailing to Boston on. You have to admire someone willing to break the law for someone he met yesterday.

You also have to admire an author who can create a girl who's both strong and completely believable as a person of her time. Maura's prudent, compassionate, and brave. She's never ashamed of her poverty or religion or country. She doesn't hesitate before heading into burning buildings, and she slaps one of the best tricksters in Liverpool. (Although I maintain that Chapter 67 works best if you assume Toggs's offer to take her somewhere better is sincerely meant. No professional liar would repeat a lie to the same person and expect them to believe it. He already has her money; what's he interested in now is her.)

One of my favorite elements of this book is that all the characters have appropriate prejudices. Maura is initially reluctant to help an English boy. Laurence notes Patrick's dirtiness and "puts on airs" with Fred, who scorns his naïveté. Half-Irish Mr. Pickler looks down on emigrants, and Patrick doesn't want to be near a Protestant minister.

The plot, as the cover proclaims, is suspenseful. Even the second or third time through you can't help but worry about the kids. There are some ironic or comically absurd scenes and some nice turns of phrase, like Pickler lifting his candle to consider Clemspool "in a new light." There are allusions literary and historical - Lady Glencora, Robert Peel, the Iron Duke, "'Look at his togs, Fagin,' said Charley Bates." Also, there's a floating church.

I recommend it for anyone with the slightest tolerance for historical young adult.
Avi does history fiction very well, and this is no exception. The 18th century has a lot of potential for depressing situations (which I hate), but with Avi I don't worry about it so much because he always does it with so much elegance and sympathy. The Escape From Home has depressing things in it, like Patrick and Maura getting kicked out of their home after nearly starving and freezing to death in it, but, again, Avi didn't make it anything more than it was and it worked for me. The characters helped a lot Patrick and Maura are so strong and brave that they override any crappy bits they may have to get through. No woe-is-me wailing here, folks!

I also liked Laurence, the runaway rich boy. I can understand why he runs away (I probably would have, too), and though he's really naive and somewhat stupid, I think he'll grow up into a good man (and hopefully a smarter one). He just has to not get himself killed first.

The writing is pure Avi. It's elegant, exciting, and somewhat sophisticated. I don't know if that comes from the fact that it's a historical novel (and so the language is different already), or if it's just Avi, but whatever it is, it works.

The only thing I didn't particularly like was how Maura was always portrayed as a frail, beautiful damsel in distress. I don't think she was a damsel in distress! And sure, she's pretty, but that doesn't mean she's a weak woman who needs protecting, like some of the male characters seem to think. I wish Avi had made that point stronger- I think he was trying to say that, but it wasn't coming across as effectively as it might have.
I enjoyed this book. I had the Audio CD and the person reading the book was excellent. His ability to change voices with the characters was as good as any narrator Ive ever heard. This is titled Escape from Home (chapter 1). Its important to realize that (I didnt) and was upset with the ending of the book as it ended without the readers knowing the fate of the characters. Now I must get chapter 2 of the story. Avi's books are usually in the childrens or young adult section, but his writing is good enough to keep adults entertained. The only thing keeping this from a five star rating for me is almost every person the main character meets is a wretched individual. The police are no help. Every kid is a petty thief. Almost every adult encountered seems to harm, rather than help. A couple exceptions turn out to be Fred, whose motives are somewhat unclear, except for revenge on the dastardly Ralph Toggs. Also the elderly actor seems to genuinely want to help Patrick and Maura, though he cares little for the fate of poor young Lawrence. One more complaint. I couldnt quite shake the thought that Lawrence got 1000 pounds stolen from him right at the beginning of the story. I think that would equate to 200,000 dollars in todays money. I may be way off in that estimation.
Despite my complaints, I really did like the book and recommend it to fans of historical fiction. I cant wait to get my hands on chapter 2..
Fast read. Perfect condition. Great price. I bought the sequel to it at a thrift store but wanted to read the first book first, so was very happy to find it on
Good read
An exciting and well written historical novel which gives a vivid picture of what life was like for the poorer classes in the 1850s in Ireland and England. I read it to my grandchildren (ages 10-12) who loved it.We are looking forward to reading Book 2.
Excellent book. Would highly recommend to any gender or age. Have begun the second book and know it will be just as good! Interesting characters. Great details. Must read
Harsh circumstances. Only for mature children or teens. Well written. Excellent story but unrelentingly depressing. Reading as an adult I found it difficult to get past some of the plot points. Lack of parenting involved in this book and The True Confessions of Charlotte.... book seem pivotal to both storylines.